ARTS IN CORRECTIONS

 The Riverside Arts Council offers programs in the California  Rehabilitation Center (CRC), California Institute for Men (CIM) and  California Institute for Women (CIW) in Region 14: San  Bernardino/Riverside. Our programs include theatre arts and creative  writing. Within the framework of the theatre program is an underlying  therapeutic value that involves reactions, expressions, vocal inflection  and physical posture. Participants in both theatre and creative writing  are taught self-expression and organization of thoughts, as well as  methods of presentation. They break down text, looking between the lines  for clues as to thought processes and reactions while studying  emotional and physical responses. Our goals are based around reducing  the rate of recidivism. Participants learn to become more tolerant of  others, as many do not mix outside of their race. They learn how to  respond to constructive criticism, as well as how to provide it. This  program is a partnership between RAC, the California Arts Council and  the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.