Practicing Poetic Justice -
2014 Columns
December, 2013 Enter Stage Right
In our zeal to incarcerate our way out of social problems, America has become the
"incarceration nation." The New York Times recently published an editorial by Nicholas
D. Kristof, which examines life (without the possibility of parole) sentences for
thousands of non-
November, 2013 The Sound of Justice
I'm looking for justice in my own hometown. An ex-
October, 2013 You Can Go to Prison
Maybe you've watched Lockup or Orange is the New Black and you wonder if that's what prison is really like. Now you can experience prison for yourself — and solve a murder mystery during your visit. Poetic Justice Project's upcoming production of In the Kitchen With a Knife is a participatory murder mystery set in prison.
September, 2013 Skin Canvas
Steven was so determined to have his tattoo removed that he spent the night in the waiting room of the hospital so he'd be at the clinic the next day to receive a laser treatment. Since his first treatment, Steven has found a job, purchased a car, and decided to become an Emergency Medical Technician.
August, 2013 A Path to Peace
On her path to peacemaking, Joelyn Lutz has played in an '80s rock band, worked in the post office and coached American Jr. Idol contestants. But it was pain that transformed her passion into a vision—then a program—that empowers children through music.
July, 2013 Red Door
Some cultural problems seem so intractable, their solutions so ephemeral, that we'd rather not think about them. For example, how do you stop the revolving door of incarceration? If the recidivism rate is 70%, that means seven out of 10 people who are incarcerated will get locked up again.
June, 2013 More Than Pizza
Poetic Justice Project recently held performances of WHAT IF, created and performed by our students at Los Prietos Boys Camp in Santa Barbara. Before the show in Santa Maria, I ordered pizza for the cast and crew — to be delivered. Little did I know that we'd be receiving more than pizza that night.
May, 2013 El Padrecito
Since beginning the Poetic Justice Project in 2009, I've met the most amazing people
— formerly incarcerated actors, audience members, and colleagues in the field of
restorative justice. One person who fits all of those categories is Father Masseo
Gonzales. Father Masseo, born Robert Gonzales, is a Franciscan priest. And a rap
artist. And he runs a hip-
April, 2013 Conflict Solutions Center
Conflict Solutions Center in Santa Maria has helped thousands of people find constructive and healing solutions to conflict since it began in 1989. Through mediation, CSC offers an alternative to the expense and animosity of litigation, opening doors of understanding and communication.
March 2013
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February, 2013 Practicing Poetic Justice
When I was still working at the California Men's Colony, preparing to leave my position
of artist/facilitator to start Poetic Justice Project, several inmates told me I
had to meet Bull Chaney, a man who came into the institution to lead 12-
January, 2013 Unlocking Hearts and Minds 4
When he was released from prison six years ago, Leonard Flippen was looking for success stories — not just people who beat the state's 70% recidivism rate, but true role models. Leonard was looking for people who had left the prison mindset behind, bettered themselves, and contributed to their communities.
December, 2012 Unlocking Hearts and Minds 3
I'm reading the novel Creole Belle, by one of my favorite mystery writers, James
Lee Burke. Ninety-
November, 2012 Unlocking Hearts and Minds 2
Most of the actors in Poetic Justice Project have never been onstage before coming to us. The only "requirement" for our actors is that they have been incarcerated and wish to create a new path for their lives.
There are many challenges for people who have been incarcerated: housing, employment,
family unification, and usually, substance abuse recovery. Add to this parole or
probation meetings, court hearings, obtaining a driver's license, and frequent 12-
October, 2012 Unlocking Hearts and Minds 1
Ten years ago a hummingbird flew into and out of the prison building I worked in and changed the trajectory of my life. In the brilliant bird's journey, I found the perfect metaphor for the practice of art in prison — and a poem.
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