NEW YORK (PIX11) -- From crossovers on the basketball court to laser beam passes across the soccer field, and pieces of art, dreamed up in creative expressions class at Rikers Island jail, there are several dozen inmates who are going above and beyond.
They are engaging in activities and enjoying perks that include extra family visit time after being model inmates for the last 6-months to a year.
It’s all part of their participation in an innovative program called “Life Skills and Drills”.
The staff celebrated their accomplishments Tuesday night in the jail’s “West Facility” during a graduation ceremony.
PIX11 News was given the rare, exclusive opportunity to see some good news come out of a place - that so often gets a bad wrap.
30-year-old Rahleek on the left, and 40-year-old Issac on the right are two of the older inmates in this group.
Both men, like everyone else in this program, are intensely aware of the value of making the best of their time served here until their criminal cases are either dismissed, resolved with a plea bargain - or concluded with a jury verdict.
"It's definitely a good feeling," said Isaac. "It's something different instead of seeing guys at each other's throats, bickering, ready to fight."
"When we soon get released, we gotta take these life lessons that they are teaching us outside," added Rahleek.
There's a popular tagline in this program: This is bigger than basketball.
It really sums up what correction staff are trying to accomplish with these men; life lessons of discipline and accountability that will hopefully stick with them long after they leave the court.
Hilton Worrell is the New York City Department of Correction’s Executive Director of Facility Programs. "There's less violence inmate on inmate or person in custody on person in custody and they are less likely to resort to violence to settle any differences. That's the goal."
On this night, the men also enjoyed a surprise appearance and pep talk from Actor London Brown, who currently co-stars in the TV series “Power Book III: Rasing Kanan”.
"It's not just about me going through life and doing what I do but if I'm not reaching back to encourage somebody else and giving them a glimpse of hope to let them know there's room over here on the other side, then what I'm doing is pointless," said Brown.
During our visit, it was clear no one; not London Brown, the Rikers staff, or, most importantly, the inmates considered any of this a waste of their time.
"I'm the reason for why I'm here," said Rahleek. "They changed me. When we are done with here - this is just one step."
The rather first step in the right direction.
