I understand that California is in a financial crisis and I realize that financial sacrifices must be made. However, I urge CDCR not to cut the Arts in Corrections program.

I have been a volunteer in this program for over five years, bringing theater, writing and performing projects, and even my own one-woman show to the inmates at CRC at Norco. During this time, I have come to learn how valuable and really inexpensive this program is. Look what the State is getting in exchange for one Arts-In-Corrections facilitator’s salary—Millions of dollars worth of professional volunteers come into the facilities every year to assist in the rehabilitation of the inmates.

I have personally witnessed how important using the arts to explore issues like addiction, anger, and violence is. It definitely releases tension, creates awareness and puts the inmate on a path of positive self-discovery.

Here are some of the comments from inmates I have worked with:

“I was really able to see a self-destructive pattern in my life and now can face and work on changing that pattern of thought.”

“I understand that my old habits need to go and I need to bring in the new.”

“Rehabilitation means self-discovery. I know that I did just that! It is because of this clarity that I am able to keep my stance.”

“I can recognize my positive and negative behavior. I have discovered positive ways to deal with life’s situations.”

By cutting the Arts in Corrections Program, we are losing an inexpensive program that largely and positively impacts thousands of inmates as they face the outside when they are released. As a result, we are adversely impacting the general public who will be negatively affected by the released prisoner who has not been rehabilitated.

Thank you for listening.

Sincerely,

Rita Andriello