Arts in prisons is a worthy cause

THE article on the Shakespeare in the prisons program was inspiring [“Poetic Justice,” by Diane Haithman, Feb. 20]. What it did not mention is that there are all too few of these programs left. California used to have a model education and arts program in correctional facilities, but funding has been repeatedly slashed for that and for our formerly world-class educational system.

It’s too bad we’ve decided that we’d rather spend money on warehousing prisoners instead of education and arts programs that prevent kids from going to prison and prisoners who are already there from going back.

Melissa D. Aaron

Pomona

ARTS programs have been proven to stem the tide of violence. Theater has therapeutic aspects built into the process, which leads to discipline, self-examination and working with others of different backgrounds.

I am proud to point out that the Actors’ Gang Prison Project and Unusual Suspects Theatre Company, both based in Culver City, are serving these purposes locally and throughout California. By working with incarcerated populations, both youth and adult, these local nonprofits are raising social consciousness, teaching inmates that they are woven in a social fabric and each one is part of a larger whole.

Joel Kimmel

Venice

Director of development for the Actors’ Gang