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Bridging
the Gap – Writing Workshop
The objective of Bridging
the Gap is to develop a published anthology of the
writings of the women inmates participating
in the Inside Out program that can
be shared with girls participating in the Girls Advocacy Project (GAP) at Juvenile Detention Centers
around the state. Bridging
the Gap educates female juvenile offenders on
the issues related to the criminal mistakes made by female
adult inmates who are serving long sentences for their
crimes. The purpose is
to share experiences of the women inmates to help the girls
reject unhealthy relationships, substance abuse and the
temptation to become involved in future criminal activity.
The majority of the incarcerated women involved in
Bridging the Gap have participated in ArtSpring's
ongoing Inside Out workshop since the program’s
inception 12 years ago.
The first phase of the
project was conducted at Broward Correctional Institution in
2006.
A documentary about the
program was made possible through generous funding from The
Annie E. Casey Foundation, with additional technical support
provided by the Reentry National Media Outreach Campaign; please
visit their website to view the documentary or to order copies:
http://reentrymediaoutreach.org/gap.htm
The second phase at
Homestead Correctional Institution concluded in April 2007.
Efforts are currently underway
to secure funding to produce the anthology; one source will be
ArtSpring's first major fundraiser in October 2007, in
partnership with Women's Fund of Miami-Dade.
ANY ONE OF US: WORDS FROM PRISON: MIAMI
will bring writings by many Bridging the Gap
and Inside Out participants, as well as
incarcerated women from across the country, to the Gusman Center
for the Performing Arts in a theater production directed by
ArtSpring Artistic Director Leslie Neal.
Rites
and Passages – Theatre and Drumming Workshops for
Male Inmates
The Rites
and Passages program is an extension of ArtSpring’s
decade long delivery of arts-based educational curriculum
to women and girls in institutional settings. Rites
and Passages began in 2005 and is the first workshop program for men offered
by ArtSpring in the male correctional setting. Male inmates
have the opportunity to participate in a high quality,
professional interdisciplinary workshop that reveals how
theater work can be created to foster thought and change
in lives and communities.
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Odalys, Homestead
Correctional Institution, Inside
Out Participant
2001
(Click on image to enlarge) “
I believe that ArtSpring should continue coming to visit
the girls in juvenile detention center because when I participate
it helped me express my self and let out some stress through
dancing and singing. It also helped me use my mind and it
made me see that I do have hidden talents”
Girls Advocacy Project (GAP), Breaking
Free participant
2006
“
Prisoners are your neighbors, co-workers, friends, mothers,
aunts and relatives - Anyone can make a mistake and become a
prisoner in the blink of an eye.”
Bridging the Gap participant
2007
“
Prison is a cold and hostile place, but the people in them
are people: not all bad, but capable of doing bad things.
None are beyond redemption. Some are redeemed and work on
the inside to further their own and others' redemption.”
Bridging the Gap participant
2007
"Drumming
class taught me about some very interesting history and
culture pertaining to Africa. When first offered this
class I went kicking and screaming and now I’m
sad that it’s over…. I learned to work as
a part of a team to achieve a common goal. I also learned
to try new things (you just might be surprised (yes I
am)). Drumming is definitely a great way to release energy
in a positive constructive manner. … I have a great
sense of accomplishment from Drumming. Partially from
completion and learning different beats, but more deeply
from the feelings before, during and after the music
plays through me (& as a team). I think this is a
great class on a mental, physical, and spiritual level.
Also on the cultural/community level in terms of dealing
with interacting with others toward a common goal.”
Jethro, Broward
Outreach Center, Male Drumming participant 2004 |
