Hidden behind steel and concrete walls, over 205,000 women in the United States live within a prison system that is void of personal identity and rehabilitative services. Incarcerated women are often victims of abuse, and the majority suffers from poverty and racial discrimination. Yet, they also are mothers and heads of households, artists and incredibly skilled individuals – most of whom will re-enter society.
Today, it is becoming common knowledge that holistic services for incarcerated persons are imperative for their survival not only while they serve their time in prison but for their eventual lives on the outside. One rehabilitative, educational and practical service that has proven to be successful is the arts.
As an arts-based organization that has been working within women’s prisons for over 13 years, we have found the positive impact that such programs are vital for the success of women. One woman at our 2015 prison residency confided:
“These programs puts us all on good behavior, because we want to participate more and more. And once we start with one we want to progress to another and continue to be involved, so we have to stay on track.”
Thank you for watching this video featuring Lisette Oblitas-Cruz, a formerly incarcerated woman, now artist, who participated in our program, and others during her incarceration. With your support, we can continue to bring professional dance and music programs to incarcerated women and young people in New York and Connecticut. To learn more about Lisette’s story, we encourage you to donate to our cause. You can be a part of the art and bring these much-needed programs to many more women, like Lisette.
Special thanks to: Turtle Bay Music School for donating the time and space to film this interview; to Arielle Apfel, who directed, filmed and created this video, and the full interview with Lisette Oblitas-Cruz; and Lisette for your time, patience and words of wisdom.
Visit our website: www.avodahdance.org to learn more about us and what we do!
Thank you for your time and your support, Avodah Dance