Humanity behind the walls

In a groundbreaking move, the film “Sing Sing” was recently re-released in select theaters and simultaneously made available in over 1,100 correctional facilities across the United States. This marked the first time a major theatrical release has been made accessible to incarcerated populations on such a wide scale, according to distributor A24.

“Sing Sing,” a 2024 film, offers a poignant glimpse into the transformative power of creativity within prison walls. It stars Colman Domingo as John “Divine G” Whitfield, a man wrongfully convicted of murder and was inspired by the real-life work of Rehabilitation Through the Arts.

Domingo received a best actor nomination in the 2025 Oscars for his role. 

Director Greg Kwiatek, years ago, while visiting film producer Greg Kwedar, who was working on a project at a Midwest correctional facility, was moved by the sight of an inmate tenderly caring for a puppy in the “Puppies Behind Bars” program, inspiring him to research innovative prison rehabilitation initiatives.

Kwiatek’s research led him to the RTA, an organization that helps people in prison develop critical life skills through the arts, from an article about a groundbreaking play produced within Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison in New York.

In an interview with The Rider, Leslie Litcher, interim executive director for RTA, said “[Kwiatek] came upon an article in ‘Esquire’ magazine about a play that RTA … had done inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 2005 … and it was a comedy, and just everything about the play that we produced inside, just struck him as creative, as new, as innovative.”

Litcher added that “Sing Sing,” authentically reflects RTA’s work.

 “It’s a fictionalized story, but it’s heavily based on RTA … and inspired by it, and the majority of the actors are our alumni,” she said.

Litcher said that after the screening of “Sing Sing” at Sing Sing, a panel discussion with actors and RTA alumni “Dino” Johnson and Clarence Maclin addressed currently incarcerated individuals.

 “Prison is not a great place to be, but while you’re here, take the opportunity to change and grow and leave differently than how you came in,” she said.

RTA, founded 29 years ago at Sing Sing, utilizes the arts to empower incarcerated individuals.

“Our mission is to utilize the arts to teach critical life skills like communication, like collaboration, like problem solving, so that incarcerated individuals can better thrive while inside and can better succeed when released back into our communities,” Litcher said.

Beyond artistic expression, RTA emphasizes the process of creation. 

“Theater, specifically, has you … stepping into someone else’s shoes, developing empathy,” Litcher said. “People in our classes are creating a community working with individuals from the yard that they would never talk to otherwise.”

RTA also operates a re-entry program, “Reimagining Myself,” to address the emotional and social challenges of returning to society. This 10-week program helps individuals navigate parole board hearings, find employment and rebuild family relationships.

“What we see is that correctional facilities that are pro-RTA and programs like RTA, they experience a lower rate of incidence,” she said. 

“The participants in the programs … don’t have as many infractions because the families can come in … the correctional officers see the incarcerated individuals in a different light, and their relationship is different.”

She added that RTA’s members have a less than 3% recidivism rate compared to the national average of over 60%, demonstrating how the arts-based approach equips participants with essential life skills, leading to successful reintegration and a reduced likelihood of re-offending.

According to Litcher, RTA’s success hinges on several key factors, but a crucial element is the involvement of an incarcerated steering committee within each facility. 

“I think it’s the ‘secret sauce,’” Litcher said. “The steering committee… they’re the ones that will receive the interest or the applications of people who want to join RTA.”

RTA continues to expand its programs. 

A recent art exhibition showcasing works created by incarcerated individuals at a public library in Yonkers aimed to “bring more awareness to the public that there are people, real people, inside,” Litcher said.

 “And they’re developing skills to come outside. … So the more we can open those doors, and open that communication and show that they’re, you know, show the humanity behind the walls … that’s what we work for.”

Litcher added that she wants audiences to leave the film with a deeper understanding of redemption and a renewed perspective on offering it.

“That it will raise awareness that there … are real people behind the walls, and they are not the worst thing that they ever did,” she said. “That they’re people, that they are given the tools that we can provide, [so] they have the opportunity and the desire to change and grow.”

RTA faces challenges in overcoming societal hesitancy towards rehabilitation programs.

 “We know that there are real victims to a lot of the crimes that were created,” Litcher acknowledged. “But I will say that there’s no option, right, people are inside, and 95% of people will come out, and the people who want to change and grow deserve it, and it benefits us to give them that opportunity.”

For more information on the RTA and how to get involved visit rta-arts.org and to learn where to stream “Sing Sing” visit a24films.com.