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As humans, we are wired to move to the beat whether consciously or subconsciously. This instinctive need to move our bodies pushes us towards various forms of dance. Dance not only lights up our souls, but it also has immense therapeutic value in its ability to help people release suppressed emotions, deal with anxiety and stress and promote socialization. This is why a dance class in prison can be a life-changing experience for inmates.
Prison is a place where freedom is stripped away, and inmates are trapped within a world of bleak confinement. However, over the years, there have been stories of prisoners who find ways to escape the dreariness of life within the walls. One such story is about a dance program in a correctional facility in California.
The rehabilitation program operates under the name The Arts-in-Corrections Dance Program. The program is conducted at the California Institute for Men facility located in Chino, San Bernardino County. This is the brainchild of Louie Garcia, who authored the music for the famous dance flick, ‘Step Up’.
The dance program aims to use movement and other artistic endeavors to help inmates communicate their emotions effectively, understand themselves and develop a sense of self-worth. Garcia, who has personally experienced incarceration in his life, notes that “Dance was an escape, a form of life to keep him going”
The program moved top dancers into the prison system to provide rigorous dance training while maintaining the focus on rehabilitation. The initial classes had high uptake rates, and within six months, it had grown to over 150 participants. The inmates had expressed their desire to learn other styles like Tango, jazz, and salsa.
The effect of the dance program was not only limited to participants’ wellbeing, but it also affected the prison community as a whole. The program was so well-received that it had members of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. It enhanced diversity and bonding between inmates. This program allowed the inmates to experience a range of emotions such as joy, trust, compassion, and at times, even vulnerability, that they probably would have kept bottled up within them.
The inmates participating in the program admitted that the dance training had significantly improved their self-esteem. They gain confidence as they acquire new skills and embrace their bodies in ways they didn’t think possible before. For many, it became apparent that dance is not just for entertainment, but it is a core part of the human experience that can be used for transformational purposes.
The program taught inmates better communication skills, self-expression, and socialization, which are essential ingredients for successful reintegration into society after release. Dancing allowed them to explore themselves on an entirely different level, tapping into their creativity to express themselves better in various aspects of their lives.
As the program continues to thrive, there has been a noticeable decline in violent confrontations, drug use, and other forms of negative behavior. The data shows that the inmates that participate in the dance program tend to have fewer disciplinary infractions.
The benefits of dance to inmates cannot be overstated. It presents the opportunity to transform negative energy into positive energy, helping inmates become productive and law-abiding members of society. However, it is important to note that the dance program alone cannot fully rehabilitate inmates, but it can help steer them towards the right direction of a reformed lifestyle.
In conclusion, dance programs in prisons should be encouraged and embraced as a form of correctional facilities rehabilitation practice. The fact remains that some individuals take to dancing like fish to water, and it can be a part of their journey to transformation, as seen in the California Institute for Men facility. The success of the Arts-in-Corrections Dance Program in prison is testament to the power of art and dance to heal, transform and reform lives.
