Spring/Summer 2019 From the Desk of Last year at Attica, original actors from the classic film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” came in to discuss the the meaning of that film with an audience of incarcerated Acting Commissioner individuals. Anthony J. Annucci New York State Department of We also have a dynamic and special relationship Corrections and Community with a wonderful organization called “Rehabilitation Supervision Through The Arts” (RTA). As the Acting Commissioner for this extremely large Founded in 1996 in Sing Sing, RTA now works in and complex agency, I place an enormous priority on five facilities with innovative programs in theater, education. Obvious things like obtaining a high school dance, creative writing, voice and visual art. RTA equivalency diploma, a vocational trade certificate, or a teaches life skills, such as teamwork, problem solving two or four-year college degree, go right to the heart of our and communication, and also provides many core mission—namely, to provide programs that assist intangibles, such as a sense of community, hope, incarcerated individuals to become successful, law-abiding courage, a spirit of cooperation and thoughtfulness. citizens when they return home. As one RTA participant once said: “If you keep Education is the vehicle by which people can reach doing what you are always doing, you’ll keep getting deep within themselves and discover their own humanity what you have always gotten, but if you keep thinking and, in turn, recognize and appreciate the humanity in how you have always thought, you’re going to keep others. doing what you have always done. Art allows you to think differently, so you behave differently, so that you We are very proud of the variety of educational can get different results. To me, that’s the definition of programs offered, including those in the arts. Art rehabilitation.” education, artistic expression and the appreciation of all forms of art, can be essential for the discovery of one’s own One recognition of RTA’s impact came in July of humanity, especially for incarcerated individuals, whether 2018, when the New York Times devoted its entire it is music, film, painting, acting, literature, writing or main editorial section to the RTA performance of performing, etc. “Cyrano de Bergerac” at Fishkill. The column, which also included several color photographs of the We have numerous examples of outside professionals performers, provided the following critique: “Studies of coming in regularly to perform for, as well as educate the prison-arts program around the country, including population, such as the Bard College Conservatory RTA, have found that participants are better behaved Orchestra. than other inmates, earned educational degrees earlier Through our relationship with John Jay College, we and in some cases are less likely to wind up back behind were introduced to the Tribeca Film Institute, which now bars after release – all of which suggests that regularly conducts workshops on film study at Otisville. Continued on Page 2 DOCCS Today | Spring/Summer 2019 | 1 From the Desk of the Acting Commissioner DOCCS EMPLOYEE RECEIVES Continued from Page 1 EMPIRE PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD rehabilitation, which has recently begun to regain traction Catherine Marra, Director of Correctional as a penal philosophy after decades of neglect, is a real and Nursing Services, received the Empire Public achievable goal.” Service Award acknowledging her exemplary contribution to building a better New York State Oftentimes, when I go on a tour through one of our as an employee of the Department of facilities, I am painfully reminded of a classic line from the Corrections and Community Supervision. movie “A Bronx Tale”: “The saddest thing in life is The letter from the Governor’s Office of wasted talent, and the choices that you make will shape Employee Relations stated, in part: “As a your life forever.” recipient of this Award, you have been identified Thanks to the work of RTA, as well as all of the other as a public servant who has distinguished artistic contributors to our system, hundreds of yourself through meaningful contributions to incarcerated men and women have learned that they do state government and dedication to serve with indeed have talent and that their talent is not wasted. the highest level of performance, integrity, and I have witnessed firsthand incarcerated individuals pride.…” working incredibly hard and investing time and effort during In recognition of this honor, she receives a countless rehearsals to deliver riveting performances. professional development award up to $5,000. The actors are incredible for flawlessly memorizing At the award ceremony on March 7 in Albany, lengthy dialogues, totally submerging themselves into the Kathleen Carey RN, Health Services Education characters they portray, and skillfully handling difficult Coordinator, accepted the award on her behalf. scenes. In a similar vein, the writers who create thought- The award reads: “Empire Star Public Service provoking original works are also amazing. Award presented to Catherine L. Marra, MS, RN. In addition to the actors and writers, those who paint and For exemplifying the highest standards of public create captivating background scenes, and those who skillfully service; enhancing the quality of life for New and meticulously rearrange stage settings between acts, are York families and communities; and for your also immensely talented. And at the end of a performance, unwavering commitment to going above and when the audience members stand on their feet and applaud beyond the call of duty and building a better enthusiastically and extensively, the look of pride, joy and and stronger New York State. Presented by satisfaction on the faces of all of the participants, who perhaps Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor, on behalf of all for the first time in their lives are being applauded, thus New realizing that they have accomplished something truly impressive, that, in and of itself, validates not only the merits of RTA, its teachers and its programs, but all of the Department’s efforts in the development of artistic talent, education and appreciation. This issue of DOCCS Today highlights some of the many artistic programs we sponsor. It also features several of our graduations, our annual Memorial Ceremony at the Albany Training Academy, memorial services held at facilities in recognition of fallen officers, and other DOCCS events. I hope you enjoy this issue and I wish you a wonderful summer! ■ DOCCS Today | Spring/Summer 2019 | 2 CENTRAL OFFICE Wreath Laying Ceremony 51 Spring/Summer 2019 Memorial and Medals Ceremony 52-53 Published by DOCCS Office of Public Information Nurses’ Week 54 518.457.8182 Helping Hands 55 COMMUNITY SUPERVISION TABLE OF CONTENTS Manhattan Staff Appreciation 56 REHABILITATION THROUGH THE ARTS 4 June Pride Events 57 DOCCS CENTRAL NY REGION WOMEN 5 Brooklyn Friends/Family 58 MLK 2019 CHILDREN’S LITERACY DRIVE 6 2019 Leadership Academy 59 DOCCS HIGHLIGHTS Central NY Friends/Family 59 Culinary Arts Panache Training 7 New Rochelle Friends/Family 60 LEAN Projects Completed 7 OFFICER RECRUIT CLASS GRADUATIONS VETERANS SYMPOSIUM 8-9 2018-16 AND 2018-17 61 2019-04 AND 2019-05 62 HUDSON VALLEY WOMEN IN CORRECTIONS 10 MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES Clinton Correctional Facility 11 Gowanda Correctional Facility 12 Sing Sing Correctional Facility 13-14 WANT AN EVENT POSTED ON DOCCS SPOTLIGHT— SOCIAL MEDIA? ALBION CORRECTIONAL FACILITY 15-16 For posting on social media, send your FACILITY HIGHLIGHTS Attica Correctional Facility 17-18 submissions to: Bedford Hills Correctional Facility 19 [email protected] Clinton Correctional Facility 20-21 [email protected] Collins Correctional Facility 22-23 Fishkill Correctional Facility 24-25 Five Points Correctional Facility 26 Gowanda Correctional Facility 27-29 WANT AN EVENT INCLUDED IN Green Haven Correctional Facility 30-31 Greene Correctional Facility 32 DOCCS TODAY? Groveland Correctional Facility 33-34 Send your submissions for publishing in Hale Creek Correctional Facility 35 the next issue of DOCCS TODAY to: Hudson Adolescent Offender Facility 36 [email protected] Lakeview Shock Incarceration CF 37-39 Livingston Correctional Facility 40-41 [email protected] Mid-State Correctional Facility 42 Orleans Correctional Facility 43 Riverview Correctional Facility 44 Shawangunk Correctional Facility 45 Get your DOCCS TODAY Sullivan Correctional Facility 46-47 submissions in by November 15 Taconic Correctional Facility 47-48 Watertown Correctional Facility 48 Wende Correctional Facility 49 Willard Drug Treatment Campus 49 Wyoming Correctional Facility 50 DOCCS Today | Spring/Summer 2019 | 3 Rehabilitation Through Families often say they "do the bid" The Arts (RTA) began in alongside their loved one. On the other hand, 1996 as a small theater being grounded in family, while in prison and group at Sing Sing when released, is one of the most important Correctional Facility. factors in success on the outside. Today, RTA works in RTA has helped families connect through a New York State maximum tradition of sending performance DVDs to those and medium security unable to attend prison productions. prisons, serving 200 In 2015, DOCCS allowed RTA family incarcerated men and members to attend the community women. performance at Sing Sing for the first time. The Through innovative Wizard of Oz was chosen for this momentous workshops in theater, dance, music, creative event. For one night, the men weren't prisoners writing and visual arts led by more than 25 — they were Scarecrow, Lion, Tin Man, Wizard, professional teaching artists, members build Flying Monkeys, even Munchkins. critical life skills such as problem-solving, Since then, family members have also been teamwork and discipline. able to see the men at Sing Sing perform On the Waterfront and Of Mice and Men, as well as While the New York State recidivism rate is the women's group at Bedford Hills perform The nearly 40%, less than 7% of RTA members return Wiz and Bedford Sings Broadway! ■ to prison.