Past Productions
Summer 2014: Shakespheare Behind Bars
Adapted for stage from the memoir by Jean Trounstine, SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS is the thrilling tale that follows a teacher, her seven students, and their journey through life, literature, and lock-up.
All proceeds from the performances went to Prison Book Program and The Fortune Society which work for the issue of education in prison and reform.
The United States leads the world in incarceration rate, but only ranks 14th
in education
Of the 700,000 individuals who leave prison each year, 50% will be incarcerated within 3 years
Education programs reduce that to 22%
75% of inmates are illiterate at a 12th grade reading level
As of 2011...
A college student cost the state of California $8,667 a year
A prisoner costs the state of California $45, 006 a year
“Studies…unanimously indicate that higher education in prison programs reduces recidivism and translates into reductions in crime, savings to taxpayers, and long-term contributions to the safety and well-being of the communities to which formerly incarcerated people return.”
–Prison Studies Project
Why Education
in Prison?
The cast and crew of JTC's summer 2014 production of Shakespeare Behind Bars
Click on the picture above to check out more production photos!