(BOP) - At the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Coleman, Florida staff use the performing arts to help inmates prepare for a successful return to the community. Since its inception in 2013, the Reentry Theater Group has been performing original plays that depict the real-life obstacles inmates face upon release. The plays portray two scenarios: in one an inmate with educational and vocational training succeeds after release, and in the other an inmate did not participate in reentry programming and fails after release.
The program, which is open to all inmates at the medium security institution at the complex, teaches basic communication skills and how to work within a diverse team, and creates a positive interaction between staff and inmates. The inmates involved in the Reentry Theater Group learn a broad variety of skills associated with performing arts including scriptwriting, character placement and movement, stage presence, use of music and sound, common wardrobe guidelines, and live event performance production.
The course, offered twice a year, concludes with performances of an original play for three different audiences. Each spring and fall, the Reentry Theater Group presents their play for Bureau staff, fellow inmates, and once for visitors. The Reentry Theater Group is very popular among the inmates and is having a positive impact on them, their families, and the community.