Reflection: Arts In Prison
Reflection: Arts in Prisons
The Arts in Prison organization teaches arts and culture to the Lansing Correction Facility. It strives to create a positive environment where the inmates can be educated while also building self-confidence. Program manager Lynsey Becher, has volunteered and worked with the program for many years. She believes that having a “nonjudgmental environment” for the prisoners lets them grow and gain self worth. When the inmates are released from prison they have developed in a positive way, and are ready to reconnect with their community. Although the Arts in Prison program is growing, they do encounter challenges. Lynsey Becher mentioned that the Arts in Prison program wants to expand to the Women’s Correctional Facility
in Topeka, but lack the volunteers to do so. Advocating for this program is highly important, since people do not value aiding criminals as much as other community members. The job is also very demanding and many volunteers only work for six to eight months. Another obstacle is collaborating with the prison’s administration. Lynesy said, “They are not the easiest people to work with.” The prison has strict rules and regulations, which can create a difficult experience for new volunteers. A member from Arts in Prison typically monitor volunteers, wanting to be a safeguard between volunteers and the prison administration. Despite the challenges Arts in Prison faces, the organization is expanding. It was started by Elvera Voth in 1996, and now provides fifteen different programs a year. The organization is best known for their men’s chorus, the East Hill singers. The inmates collaborate with a community chorus, and travel around Kansas for various concerts. This allows the inmates to be apart of the outside community in a positive way. It also benefits their self-confidence and public image in the community. Inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility also have opportunities to participate in a Shakespeare play. For the performance the community is invited into the prison to view it. In the audience the inmates and community members sit together, creating a positive dialogue. Arts in Prison creates a community within the prison, while also making connections to the community around it. I learned from the Arts in Prison presentation, that building connections within the art program’s community can lead to bigger collaborations. This is a good strategy for my future classroom. I want to use art to build self worth among my students, and create a community within the classroom. I can then have my class collaborate with the outside community to create change in their environment.
The Arts in Prison organization teaches arts and culture to the Lansing Correction Facility. It strives to create a positive environment where the inmates can be educated while also building self-confidence. Program manager Lynsey Becher, has volunteered and worked with the program for many years. She believes that having a “nonjudgmental environment” for the prisoners lets them grow and gain self worth. When the inmates are released from prison they have developed in a positive way, and are ready to reconnect with their community. Although the Arts in Prison program is growing, they do encounter challenges. Lynsey Becher mentioned that the Arts in Prison program wants to expand to the Women’s Correctional Facility
in Topeka, but lack the volunteers to do so. Advocating for this program is highly important, since people do not value aiding criminals as much as other community members. The job is also very demanding and many volunteers only work for six to eight months. Another obstacle is collaborating with the prison’s administration. Lynesy said, “They are not the easiest people to work with.” The prison has strict rules and regulations, which can create a difficult experience for new volunteers. A member from Arts in Prison typically monitor volunteers, wanting to be a safeguard between volunteers and the prison administration. Despite the challenges Arts in Prison faces, the organization is expanding. It was started by Elvera Voth in 1996, and now provides fifteen different programs a year. The organization is best known for their men’s chorus, the East Hill singers. The inmates collaborate with a community chorus, and travel around Kansas for various concerts. This allows the inmates to be apart of the outside community in a positive way. It also benefits their self-confidence and public image in the community. Inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility also have opportunities to participate in a Shakespeare play. For the performance the community is invited into the prison to view it. In the audience the inmates and community members sit together, creating a positive dialogue. Arts in Prison creates a community within the prison, while also making connections to the community around it. I learned from the Arts in Prison presentation, that building connections within the art program’s community can lead to bigger collaborations. This is a good strategy for my future classroom. I want to use art to build self worth among my students, and create a community within the classroom. I can then have my class collaborate with the outside community to create change in their environment.