Inmate Art Program at Gadsden Correctional Facility
Quincy, Fla. – A recently launched art program at Corrections Corporation of America’s (CCA) Gadsden Correctional Facility is helping inmates tap into their creativity and gain exposure for their art, while equipping them to re-enter society.
“Most of the participating inmates had an interest in art, but some didn’t know how talented they were until they joined the program and had an opportunity to explore,” said Laura Bedard, assistant warden, Programs, at the Gadsden facility.
The program was launched in April in partnership with Florida State University (FSU) and Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy. Since its inception, 15 inmates have participated. Qualifying inmates must spend six months without disciplinary referrals to become eligible. Once they join, their continued involvement is related to maintaining good behavior.
“Being a part of this program has really inspired me and changed what I want to do with my life,” said Gadsden inmate Karyn Perales. “It makes my time here much more useful.”
Through an initiative known as the Inmate Mural Arts Program (IMAP), art therapy students from FSU worked with 11 inmates in painting a mural on the facility chapel, measuring 22 feet by 70 feet.
“It depicts the inmates’ collective life story,” said Bedard. “On one end, in black and white, it shows their criminal activities, and on the other end, in color, it shows CCA programs.”
Inmates have also produced 100 paintings that were delivered to Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy. “All areas of the building will have inmate art displayed,” Bedard said.
Other inmate paintings will be featured in juried art shows this month at the Firehouse Center and Gallery in Bainbridge, Ga., and in January at the Gadsden Arts Center. Rep. Alan Williams of the Florida 8th District helped secure an inmate art-on-loan program at the state Capitol, where a different inmate painting will be exhibited each month.
“The value of the facility’s art program is not only that it rewards inmates who demonstrate exemplary conduct,” said Dennis Bradby, CCA vice president, Inmate Programs. “It’s also a tremendous asset because it helps them prepare for life after release and allows the surrounding community to see the creative expressions of some truly talented individuals.”
About CCA
CCA is the nation’s largest owner and operator of government-contracted correctional and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States, behind only the federal government and three states. CCA operates 65 facilities, including 40 company-owned facilities, with a capacity of approximately 86,500 beds, in 19 states and the District of Columbia. CCA specializes in owning, operating and managing prisons and other correctional facilities and providing inmate residential and prisoner transportation services for governmental agencies. In addition to providing the fundamental residential services relating to inmates, our facilities offer a variety of rehabilitation and educational programs, including basic education, religious services, life skills and employment training and substance abuse treatment. To learn more about CCA, visit www.correctionscorp.com and online news site www.insidecca.com.
About Gadsden Correctional Facility
Gadsden Correctional Facility is a 1,520-bed, minimum/medium-security, facility, managed by CCA since 1998. The facility, which houses adult female inmates for the Florida Department of Corrections, is nationally accredited by the American Correctional Association and offers a wide range of programming and services to address the rehabilitative needs of inmates at the facility.