Here’s What We Are Doing!

During this difficult time for our members, locked away from school, programs and family visits, RTA continues to provide workshops to help engage the creative process and raise hope for the future.

March 16

NYS Department of Corrections & Community Supervision suspends all programming until further notice. 

“I know of no other organization that has done this much during this time.”

RTA member at Sing Sing Correctional Facility

March 20 - May 31

RTA member at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility

RTA teaching artists respond enthusiastically to develop paper lesson plans for individual learning in all art forms

• Lessons are delivered to all 6 facilities where we work

• New lessons supplied every other week

• Notebooks sent with a guide for keeping a journal to document this extraordinary time

“I do miss the (in-person) workshops, especially since that’s where I believe I could show my true self.”  

RTA member at Woodbourne Correctional Facility

“I’ve lost my mother to Covid-19…I thank RTA for reaching out.  Sometimes all one wants to do is to be heard.”

RTA member at Fishkill Correctional Facility

June 1 - June 30

RTA member at Green Haven Correctional Facility

Audio cassettes made especially for prison were:

• Developed for all art forms

• Recorded and duplicated

• 600 tapes were delivered to all facilities

• Cassettes will cover the summer semester

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RTA writes letters to all its members to find out how they are doing.

“I want to thank you for caring about incarcerated men and women who are
vulnerable while facing this pandemic.”

RTA member at Green Haven Correctional Facility

Colin Absolam, alumnus, Charles Moore, RTA Director of Operations

“I came to prison and found something I love. I love writing - thank you!”

RTA member at Sing Sing Correctional Facility

July 1 - September 30

DVDs and lesson plans:

• Being written, filmed and duplicated

• Delivery to all facilities for the fall semester, when participants may be able to meet in small groups.

October 1 - 

JPAY tablet emails ("secure messages")

• RTA sends lessons in poetry, memoir, playwriting, monologues and pen & pencil visual arts that address the specific needs of each individual through JPAY tablets distributed in NYS prisons.

Art by RTA member at Fishkill Correctional Facility