insideout 2010

November

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INSIDEOUT................... page 1.................November 2010

contents

YIP Newsletter ..............................................................................2

inside writing .................................................................................4

happinness ...........................................................................................8

papier mache animals .....................................................10

in Poetry ..............................................................................................16

self portraits .............................................................................18

post release ..................................................................................24

Q&A ...............................................................................................................26

November

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YiP StaffTarisai Mchuchu-Ratsidi

Project Coordinator YiPSA

Melinda Buchus Post-Release Coordinator

Chengetai MaruzivaVoluntary Projects Coordinator

Vuyokazi MagobiyanePost release Administrator

Facilitators/YouthworkersJulia Merrett

Nkosinathi Buyana Masande Khullei Damien Snyders

Magazine design Conor Ralphs

Young in Pr ison059 - 080 - N PO

41 Salt River Road, Community House, Salt River

phone : 021 448 5275email : tar [email protected]

www.younginprison.org

If you would like to contribute to Young in Prison and its initiatives in ‘promoting the right to positive development’, please donate to:

Young in Prison Bank: Nedbank

Current Account, Account Number: 1021284556Salt River Branch


Young in Prison successfully launched the third issue of ‘Inside Out’ magazine at the Word of Art gallery when we did the Insider Art II exhibition on the 26th of May 2010. The exhibition serves as a community awareness and advocacy vehicle as it showcases art work created by youth participants from Pollsmoor Prison. The exhibition was open to the public for a whole week and we enjoyed a lot of support and interest from the public. Over 300 people attended the exhibition throughout the week; this is double the amount of people who attended Insider Art I.

Insider Art II: Exhibition

I would like to thank Young in Prison staff, volunteers, interns and participants for all the hard-work they

have put in this past year. We continue to grow as an organisation because of people with willing hearts and hands. I would also like to thank organisations such as the Independent Theatre Movement of South Africa (ITMSA), Conscious Flowz, Butterfly Films, YMCA and not forgetting Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and Bonnytoun House of Safety for their support and ensuring that YiPSA provides a quality service that truly ‘promotes the right to a positive development’ for every child in conflict with the law. We are also very grateful for the community’s support and its open-mindedness in allowing us to engage with them in finding solutions to make our society a safer place.

Young in Prison (SA)Tarisai Mchuchu-RatshidiDirector

Young in Prison’s Vision:To ensure that even within a harsh prison environment, our children and youth are given the opportunity to become responsible, productive and participating citizens of our country.

Young in Prison’s Mission: Young in Prison works with young offenders ages 14-21 in rehabilitative programming using arts, literacy and sports as the vehicles through which to do so. Through holistic programming that offers positive mentoring and encourages development of the self both during and after incarceration, YiP seeks to encourage program participants to make positive life choices and to become successful and contributing members of society.

Annual Partner Meeting 2010Young in Prison Foundation hosted another successful partner meeting in Colombia after the first one in 2009 was held in South Africa. Young in Prison South Africa, Director attended the meeting. ‘We learnt a lot from each partner country, especially our host partner La Familia Ayara; they taught us how to work better with awaiting trial children who do not have a static sentence using the short-intensive/ high-impact method’. We had an opportunity to see how they run work-shops with professional Hip-hop; Graffiti and Break-dance facilitators. This inspired us to try this in Bonnytoun as a pilot. We have since successfully partnered with the Independent Theatre Movement of South Africa in bringing Shakespeare to the participants. They were taught Hamlet in 10 days dedicating three hours per day to rehearse. They performed brilliantly and we also found that Shakespeare was an incredible way to express themselves; discover their talents and also learn how to use the English language. There was an incredible change in the boys and we would like to thank ITMSA’s Directors Tauriq Jenkins and Seraj Jenkins for dedicating their time and expertise to our project. We are also grateful to the parents and community members that attended the presentation. Your support means a lot to the participants we work with and will assist greatly in their reintegration process. We also did a Hip-Hop theatre project in partnership with Conscious Flowz. It was highly successful as they taught the participants ideas of ‘what makes a good leader and how to recognise good leaders within their communities and also how they can be a leader in their own right’. YiPSA was very impressed with how the participants identified with the facilitators and used poetry and dance as a way to express themselves. W e really appreciate the hard-work that Akio Kawahito and his team put in making the presentation a success. We especially thank La Familia Ayara for sharing their successful methodology with us; we are a growing as a result of it.

INSIDEOUT................... page 3.................November 2010INSIDEOUT................... page 2.................November 2010

World Cup Tournament in PollsmoorYoung in Prison South Africa in collaboration with Pollsmoor, Medium A (Juvenile Section), organised a ‘Mock Soccer World Cup’, which saw the juveniles residing in the section fighting for the glorified cup. They also got to predict who will be the winner of the tournament. Portugal and New Zealand made it to the finals and surprisingly enough, New Zealand won!!!! It was a great day filled with fun and as usual, our sponsors of the soccer kits, First National Bank’s Corporate Volunteers were there. They were filled with so much energy and brought the participants refreshments. Young in Prison is impressed by the example set by the corporate volunteers of First National Bank. We are very grateful that you did not give us a handout and walk away. With Pearl and her team coming to assist in our events and workshops, we are grateful that they have invested their time and strength to further assist us in achieving our goal of ‘promoting the right to positive development’ for each youth in our program. We are also very grateful for the dedication shown by the DCS members and Young in Prison staff and volunteers. May our partnership continue to grow as we strive to secure South Africa’s future and make it safe.

Post-ReleaseSince the launch of its Post-Release Mentorship project, YiPSA has had many success stories with participants that dedicate themselves to changing and shun a life of crime. We currently have nine participants (8males and 1 female) on the program and they are doing really well. We also have 15 participants who are yet to be released. We face different challenges but we are striving together. In October, our Post-Release participants successfully finished their computer-literacy training in which they all

attained certificates. We are very proud of them and that they have stayed strong and they are trying to straighten their lives and live positively.

Nana and Bush Radio internship:We are very proud of the people and companies that support our participants in reaching their potential. Nana has worked very hard to make a name for her and live positively. She dreams of becoming a journalist and Bush Radio assisted her in turning the dream into a reality. They awarded an internship position as a Producer, a position that is mostly given to people who are already studying in the field. Bush Radio gave her this opportunity because she showed enthusiasm and has enormous talent. She excelled at the job and is now applying to various colleges so that she can study further. We wish her luck.

Butterfly FilmIn collaboration with filmmaker Felix Seuffert, Butterfly Films has been making a film that highlights the importance of YIP’s post-release project for which we are in need of funding. This mentorship program works with children both before and after their release from prison, making sure that they understand that there are other paths to take other than the ones that will lead them straight back to prison. “We are proud to shine a light on YIP’s effort to make South Africa a safer place. By helping these children to take their future into their own hands, they are leading us all into a brighter future”. We are very grateful to Felix and Butterfly Films for putting their time and effort in telling YiPSA’s story. We invite our stakeholders to view their website www.butterflyfilms.co.za to view the amazing work they do for other organisations such as the Big Issue.

our worldcup!!!

At that time I was the manager of the South African team sitting at the sideline instructing the team. At first I put out my teamI had three defenders starting and four middlefielders and three strikers. When the game started, we played very good. It was a very tough game but my players were committed and they gave the best but we fall behind 2 goals to 1 in the first half. I told my players that you should try harder in the second half. I changed my formation into three defenders, five middlefielders and two strikers. Now we are playing counter attack and it was a success., because in the first 20 minuteswe scored the equalizer and the score was 2-2. Our team was playing against is Italy, they were very good but the best team won: 3-2 South Africa.

Dean

On that day it was a rainy day. It was my first time watching soccer on a soccer field. I was still outside, I heard a furious sound of people. People were happy. Some of them could not wait for the game to begin. I entered the main gate and I was watching the people with smiles on their faces. People enjoyed theirself; people wearing beautiful colours, the sounds of vuvuzelas, different kinds of religions, black and white, red and yellow and I was so amazed by the people. I wished it could be like the way it is now and 4 years that are coming. I enjoyed the game we draw. AYOBA!

Loyiso

insideout................... page 4.................November 2010

Gordon

Bradwin


In my imagination I am a form it seems like at the stadium is good no noise of Vuvuzela. I don’t know what is happening with my vision. I see South Africa in the match playing with the other team this team is leading 1:0 score. When I look up on the sky I see a big black cloud in the sky. I see it like our father in heaven; he is looking at the match too. I stand up on that chair to find a good place. Then I kneel down… my head, my eyes on the sky. I ask to Father what makes our world loose but you are watching. It seems like he is answering they can be with they are but don’t know who I am and they don’t know I am here watching in the field. I ask what they should do to win? It seems like he say they would know me and they would do what I say and they would believe in me heavenly Father. They would trust me is not anything shall help except through me. That is our father.

Lukhanyiso

My imagination: I am in a soccer field in Green Point Stadium watching FIFA World Cup and screaming for Tshabalala. While Tshabalala scoring a goal while South Africa playing against Mexico and blow-ing Vuvuzela, sitting with my friends and with our girlfriends sharing some glasses of beer with a lot of excitement and shouting for Tiko Modise doing some lot of mistakes in a first half match and sud-denly the Mexico players score a goal then we became hopeless because of the way how they were playing then we started to live the field because we were having no hope. South Africa will score another goal because the time was almost finished.

Lungile

Thando


“My Day As A Soccer Fan In FIFA 2010 World Cup”

It was a bright sunny day with no clouds. I was on my way to the soc-cer field to support South Africa against France. By the time I arrived I was looking at the beauty of the stadium. And the people around were looking bright, live, and colourful with plenty of smiles and laughter. While ap-proaching my way inside the field through the securities to my seat, I got captured by the beauty of the green grass and the gold and green colours of the soccer team. Then I started imagining how it feels to be inside the soccer field ready to kick off for the nation all that pressure from the fans and the specta-tors to the team. Then I started feeling special cause I knew that it was all for me til the final whistle. And I just felt like being there all day but just couldn’t. When I was on my way out I could not stop looking at the beauti-ful view of the stadium til everybody left. That is how sweet it was.

Dimpho

I am a Brazil fan. I love that team from the age when I was 14 years old. My whole family love South Africa. I am the only one who love Brazil because why the players in that team are very good. Where that team are playing I am praying and being exited because I know that team is going to win. And I know Brazil is going to win this…World Cup.

Roland

Lorenzo


“Its Bout My Bad Friends”

Me: And my friend that lived in Lavis. His name is Daryn Adams*. He was my best friend but things went wrong during our friendship. We started off by playing football for a club in in Belhar.

Daryn: Hello Dean! What you up to for the day?Me: Hi Taswill!! To tell you the truth, I have no plans for the day. Maybe you got a plan?Daryn: Salute. Dean we can go and stand at the 4 way stop in Belhar and wait for the Taxis to pick up

the school children.Me: Why we gonna wait for them Daryn?Daryn: You know Dean, we can get money quick and a lot of money from the drivers of taxis and we

can drive up and down in the taxis and rob the people. But you know what?Me: What?Daryn: I have a gun of my father. We can make money Dean! Me: I told him, you know what? we could end up in prison and your father is a police man and is

going to be disappointed in you.Daryn: Don’t worry Dean, we won’t get caught.Me: My friend, what I can tell you is that let’s go and play soccer at the field and go and put that

gun away.Daryn: You made Dean if you wanna go play soccer then go. I’ll go later.Me: Fine, don’t say I did not tell you the right thing!

And I never saw him after that.

Dean *name changed

Dean

Lorenzo


My life was at risk before.

That my girl is pregnant

Other guys look up to me. I feel like a role model here in prison.

What really makes me happy is when people of my place come in now they tell me about life outside.

When I go out I want to live a positive life to be an example to my brothers and family.

Wanneer ek gelukkig is, is dit wanneer ek sports speel, soob byvoor-beeld – rugby, krieket ens.

Wanneer ek gelukkig is, is dit wanneer ek die yong in prison program bywoon dit is om my ong lewe te veracher en vir Samelewe hier buite.

Wanneer ek gelukkig is, is dit om weg te bly vanaf dwelms en van ver-keercle vriende of en weg vanaf misdaad ens.

Wanneer ek gelukkig is, is dit wanneer ek en my famielie saam as een gesin teen een tafel te kan sit en preat oor dinge wat vir ons belangrik of gelukkige is.

Wanneer ek gelukkig is, is dit wanneer ek begin dinge doe nom ‘n ve-randering vir die gemeenskap bewys ek het vegtig verarder.

When people talk to me with respect and don’t swear at me, it makes me feel happy and makes me want to have a conversation with that person

I’m happy when my people or family tell me no matter what they say to me good or bad they will always love me

I feel happy when I spend time with my girlfriend and my son.

I feel happy when I play with my pet that’s a dog.

I feel happy when I help an old person with his or her bags or just help them to cross the street. It makes me proud of myself.

I feel happy that I’m not a cripple or a broken arm ect. Because I can do things some people can’t.

I feel happy when I go out with my family or my friends.

by Abduragheim

by John

by Ronwil

what makes me happy??


That I’m in prison.

But I’m not there to hold her hand through it all.

I had to join a gang here in prison

When I see them coming in when I want to go out and not even long then they go home again.

When I’m in the outside life will be people look at me with a negative intention. But I know there will not be trust for the things I’ve done.

Wanneer ek ongelukkig is, is om in so plek te weers (ek) nou is en dit is ook lekker om tier te wee shier in tronk.

Wanneer ongelukkig is, wanneer ek begin dinge doen weit vir my famielie baie hart seer maak en date k nie jammer oor gevoel het.

Wanneer ek ongelukkig is, is om my familie ver van my aft e sien deur my eie doen en late waar voor ek kon geluister het of of gelos het en nou moet ek so hof uit en hof in.

Wanneer ek anglukkig is, is om te sien my famielie stel nie meer belang aan my nie, Omdat ek wil nie geluister wat hulle wou gepraat het my nie.

Wanneer ek angelukkig is wanneer ek drugs verkoop en te begin steel van andermense en dit het gemaat dat hulle nie meer vir my wou vertou nie want ek het begin steel en drugs verkoop.

I feel unhappy when people talk to me in way I really don’t like; because it makes me feel like I’m not really important and that no one really cares about me…inside prison or outside.

I feel unhappy or sad when my friends tell me I’m a criminal but they take it as a joke

I feel unhappy or guilty when I tell someone I will do them the favor they asked me but then I don’t do it; then when they ask me I get a sad feeling inside.

I feel unhappy when two of my friends fight and then I get stuck in the middle and have to choose between them which is something I can’t do.

I feel unhappy when people accuse me for using drugs that I don’t do.

by John

by Ronwil

what makes me unhappy??


“Snake” by Chelslyn

I am beautiful and I am very skinny.I love to slide.Sometimes my skins changeAnd that makes me feel very happy.


“I’m Pinky” by Loyiso

I am a Cammelarf. I’m sick of these people using me as transport.I wish I could go to the wild and live a happy life with my family and friends.


“I Am A Very Special Dog” by Shahied

I like eating raw meatI am a dog that have no mercy!I am a very aggressive dogAnd have two big eyes to lookgood for my prey, I also have a big noseTo smell my prey niceAnd I have two ears to listen niceI am very alert also


“I Am A Cow” by Keegan

I’m thinking of how the people abuse me and kill me and eat me I think they only care for me Cause my meat is goodAnd it can make them richI think I deserve more than what the human race is giving me cause the Father made me for a reasonand a purpose.

“Zorro” by Ronwil

Why did I have to be an animal?I want to be like humans are Walking around or drive in cars and go to shops.I don’t think its fair that I’m an animalIt makes me feel sad.


“I am Rhino” by Masinzini Lukhaniyiso

I am Rhino.I live in a large forestAnd I like to be here without friends.But sometimes when the trouble comesIt looks like God is not with me.

And I like to be a RhinoThan to be a man. Because I don’t work for food God gives me.But the trouble is I am alone.I don’t have a girlfriend.

Ek is ‘n hond. Ek is baie sterk.Ek hou baie vam kinders.Ek is baie honir. Ek vang julle dag ‘n pos.Ek hou baie van vrou.Ek is baie spesel in die mense se lewe.Ek hou van sex baie sex.Ek is baie sense tiev.Ek hou van leker antrek.Ek is baie deurmekoor.Ek hou baie van leker eet.Ek is baie op leten.Ek hou baie van speel.Ek is altyd getoor saam.Ek is baie keer baie borien.Ek is baie mooi.

Reshaad


Big animal that fly anywhere for waterAnd food and hunting.He has kids – they are threeHe goes and hunts for them As well as living in the tree.

Saalie

I think that I am free coz I am always fly-ing and all the people can see me. I am very colourful and I love hunting for food coz I have kids to feed.

Shane

Hy loop and hy soek kosHy het ‘n hokie

Gershwin

I am GodBelieve in me I will wash away your sinI love you.

Chadwin

My name is dogAnd I like to help peopleWho need a lift to the mall.

Curtis


“Worthless Prison”

This prison wastes my timeThis prison can let you lose your mindIt is time for me to seeTo live like this is the wrong way to be.I miss my house Cause there I’m free.I lost my true loveWhich was there for me.

I clap my handsFor those who do rightNot for those Who always fight.I use to washIn warmth and love.It all flew awayJust like a dove.

I miss my family and my son.Leave me worthless prison I understand the wrong I’ve done.I use my handsFor art and songsWhich is right I should hold strongGive me a chance and let me be free,this worthless place is not meant for me!

Ronwil

“Reality of Life”

When Life seems meaninglessNothing seems to be real in this lifeBecause stealing, drugs and drinkingAre things that make life seem meaninglessBut perseverance is the wayTo living life.

Group Poem:Asandile

JasonSamuelCruze

When I play soccer – play gamesWhen I clean my room – Help MumWhen I wash my selfWhen I Steel my Mums staf – steel from peopleWhen I help my Neighbour – Good Thing

When I help Mum I do GoodBat wen I steel Im a fool.Wen I play Socccer I feel good.Bat wen I smoke I’m rudeWen I was my I’m rideBut when I do Good It’s afraid

Damian

“Precious Hands”

My God’s given precious hands that are capable of doingplenty of things.These hands can create thingsThey can also help those in need.These hands can heal people.With these hands I can also build.With these hands I clean the society.With these hands I produce musicFor people’s ears to listen.These hands identify me.These hands provide 4 me.

Dimpho

“I am free.Changing is possible.You can learn from your mistakes.You must change your ways and start afresh.”

Bradwin.

in Poetry


WorkI was in Young in Prison to work.And I work because I want to know something.And it was today.

HelpI help my mother to write something Because my mother can’t write.

FightI fight with my hands And when I fightMy hands get hurt

PlayI can also play with my handsAnd I play games and I play games to have fun

CleanI clean with my handsAnd when my clothes are dirtyThen I wash them

My heads I can do lots of thingsLike I can work for myself and to make my own family help and I help lot of peopleand when someone needs helplike when someone can’t readand maybe I canI read for him.

Fight and can fight with my hands even when I have to fight and I know that is right to fight.

Play and I play a lot Like when I am playingThe games at the game shop

Clean and I like clean when something is not clean and to wash my clothes.

Anon

SmakWhen I am angryI like to smak people

WashI like to wash my clothes so that its clean at all times

EatI make delicious foodWith this hands of mine

StealHelpCutWhen people want theirHair to be cut I cut it

Create I create anythingAnd everythingBecause I have the talent

ClapDriveI love to drive carsAnd it makes me feel happy

TieI tie knots and Can untie knotsBut sometimes it can be very difficult to do so

DrawFightWhen I see people fight I try my best to stop them

HugI hug people when they are sad

NeedI love to help people that’s in need at all times

ClikClicks can create sound and music

When I fight I like to fly a kight

It takes the anger on a flightYou must seeIt’s a good sight it mightJust cause another fightEverybody good night

Anon

Wash my bodyEvery day I wash myself

EatI eat before I go to work

HugI remember the last timeI hug my girlfriend

Drive CarI remember the day of my lifeWith driving car.That’s when my friendWas teaching me how to drive.

FightIts like when I’m defending myself.

Luthando

Steal from people Makes me feel goodWhich is wrong

Fight can cause friends hateEverywhere.This is wrongYou can lose your friends.

Help people with their writingSo that the next time they will know how.Write letters to your family.Learn more Because it improves your writing skills

DrawArt at schoolsMake music hitting drums

Play gamesPlaystation at home…In jail you can’t

Feel and touch my family with love.Hold something(my baby made me feel good).

Smoke drugsMakes me feel nice and good

Clap hands for someone that does the right thing,so it can make them feel appreciated.

Make food to eat at home.Washing at home is better.You can wash in privacyAs long as you want.Wash yourself…Not nice in prisonCause the water’s cold.

Ronwil


Lungile

Imran


Ronwil

Lukhanyiso


Reshaad

Lubabalo


Bradwin

Ashley

Dumesani

Shahied

Odwa

Abduragheim


Ryno


Life is war but ok!!!!

Life is war but ok It is full of ups & downs & pain but its ok What can we do ? What can we say ? We have no choice but to be strong & stand for this just pretend its ok Can anyone tell me where did we go wrong?When did this life turn to this war?But to all my brothers & sisters who feel the same pain like i feelYou need to stay hopefull & be strongWhen ever you fall kroll untill you stand brush off the dust & just keep trying for moreThis life had changed in so many waysTaking my mind back to different daysBut the is this voice inside of me keep telling me its okWe where all born to riseRise & shine like the stars that shine bright inthe skyLife is war but ok!!!One day we will make it to the light!!!!!!!!!!!

Are we there yet???

Can anyone explain to me where are we goingCoz it’s been too long long runningBut have not yet reached our destinationSo that got me asking only one questoinAre we there yet? Or is this place too far? Or mybe is just us we are too slowelyBut it’s been too long runningJumping over the yards when the police are patrollingCan anyone explain to me where are going??Aim so tired of doing crimeSo tired of smoking drugsSo sick of getting highSo sick of running up & downDeep in the middle of the night rollingSo sick of this game game it is boringCan anyone explain to me where are we going?Or are we there yet???????

by Ex creations / Xolisa

by Ex creations / Xolisa

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I got involved with gangs in 2000, when I was in my second year of high school. My mother wasn’t giving me pocket money, but instead made me a lunch box; so I thought she was abus-ing me. I dropped out of school and started house-breaking and robbery.I lived the life of going in and out of prison until I was 21 years old. I sud-denly realised that it wasn’t who I was and what I was meant to be.

One day after I appeared in court for a robbery case, I met an old fellow pupil who wasn’t so clever and always used to ask the other children at school for food. He was now a policeman, and I thought to myself, “Wow, look who’s talking now!” This guy had come from nowhere but had perservered and be-came someone important. That was the day I decided to improve myself and become the best person I could.

I went back to school and although it was hard, due to lack of finance, I eventually made it and finished my matric last year. I am now trying to go to university because I want to be a journalist. I am also working as a wait-ress, which is a great thing because I am earning an honest salary and also using my strengths in a positive way.

I want to say to the youth who are do-ing crime and those who want to try, there is no short-cut in life and if there is, it only leads to self-destruction. You don’t only hurt those you steal from and rob, but you get hurt more because time runs quickly and before you know it, you’ll be old and strug-gle to get a job, because you’ll have a criminal record and people will find it hard to accept and trust you as a per-son. You will feel rejected and useless for the rest of your life and even start to think that God doesn’t love you.

With the courage that you had to point a gun at someone or broke into their house, you can use it to become a doc-tor, teacher or anything legal, except prostitution. See you in second half!

by Nana

MY JOURNEY – TO HELL AND BACK


Q Do you feel like you are being punished or rehabilitated?

Anonymous: I think both because there are some people here that let you feel like you are being punished but I know it is rehab for me it keeps me away from drugs and I know I should not do crime again.

John: Yes it feel like I am being punished, but because I have to learn from it and I have to do programs that can help me better myself.

Virgil: I feel like I am getting a second chance to change my life and think about the choices I made and work on making myself better.

Q Do you feel a responsibility to teach others about crime?

Abduraghiem: Yes, because the consequences can only mean jail or dead.

Shaun: I will say yes because people out there think to get respected you should be a gangster or to com-mit crime is cool, you are higher than others and you are a role model, but to be a true role model you should teach the youngsters about crime and tell them how prison life is. I need to tell them about my life.

Anonymous: Yes because I want the other people and my friends to know that crime does not pay and it’s not nice to be in Prison

Q And does life after prison frighten you?

Donovan: There should be fears, because life after Prison is like you are in the communityand there will be people looking at you as the same person.

But it hangs from me if I know I am a changed person why should I be shy? I will just live my life and show people what I am capable of, and if there are fears I won’t hold on them because they don’t last for ever.

Shahied:I feel disappointed in myself, but I think I can look the people from my community in their eyes and ask them for forgiveness for what I did, and I also don’t think I will be able to walk in my community because I still have a fear inside of me.

Lungile: No because I didn’t hurt anyone in my area and I don’t have enemies outside.

Q How many of you are in prison because you were under the influence of Drugs/ Alco-hol when they committed their crime? Just how dangerous are drugs and alcohol to our future?

Donovan: I was under the influence of drugs and it’s dangerous to be, because when you are high there is nothing that can stop you or stand in your way when you want to do something bad.

We gave members of the public an opportunity to ask the participants of the YIP program some questions. The topics were around self esteem, drugs, alcohol, communities and forgiveness. Here is some of what was discussed.


Anonymous: Yes, I was really addicted to tik and the only thing I can say is drugs will put you, like me, into jail or more worse: make you mad or kill you.

Vergil: I was drunk when I did my crime, I have to say Alcohol is not good for the future youth. If I was not drunk I would not be here in Prison today, and also friends like to drink with you and do bad things, but when you are here in prison you are all by yourself and they never come to visit and find out how I am

Ronwil: No I didn’t do any drugs or alcohol, but I know drugs can make people do crazy things as well as alcohol. People fight and hurt each other when they are high and drunk. I want Parents to not allow their children to use alcohol and go to parties with out parents supervision this will decrease the alcohol abuse of teenagers.

Shaun: I am the one who is here because of those drugs, but the thing is I can stay away from it but old buddies influence is always hard to resist. But now I am tired to be admired by all the wrong people and for all the wrong reasons, I have to stop it before it is too late.

Q I am in for arm robbery would you forgive me if you were the victim? How would you look at me?

A: Yes. forgiveness is always possible when one faces up to what you have done

Q Will I be able to get a good job and what kind of job it would be?

A: That all depends on you, are you prepared to start at the bottom, like cleaning toilets and building up over years.

Don’t be scared to start at the bottom, it brings huge rewards.

Q How would you treat me (ex-prisoner) if you would meet me face to face?

A Depends on what circumstances, lift your heads up, look people in the eye, be sincere and be your-self. Let your true self shine through.

Q What if I changed my life my methods, my friends my style of living: What will happen to me?

A It’s scary but life is long and everyone have to do that a couple of times during their lives.

When at school this is who you think you are, your friends etc, that changes after school. Change for growth is always necessary, that is what life is about: constant growth, constant change as a person.

Q Do you think people in prison can be successful?

A Yes, look at Mandela. Use prison as a time to grow. Don’t wait. Start taking responsibility for your actions today.

We then gave the inmates an opportunity to ask some questions to people outside

Insider Art II: Exhibition / 2010

Editorial : Inside Out Magazine issue 4 We are proud to present the 4th issue of Inside Out magazine. The juvenile inmates of Pollsmoor Prison, as well as the participants of our Post Release programme have created all the content you will see and read here.

The term started amidst the excitement of the World Cup, which seems very far away now. Young In Prison organised a Pollsmoor World Cup, where teams were assigned different countries and competed for a trophy. This, combined with the creative writing we did, imagining being involved in one of the games, brought the excitement closer to the inmates, most of whom are extremely passionate about soccer.

We revisited the idea of the self-portrait… and it goes without saying that the results and challenges were very different the last group. A reminder that, in a situation where one is given a uniform, a prison number and a often a stigmatized label by the general public… each individual is on their own journey and is living out a different reality both in prison, and within themselves.

We have been lucky to have some very talented and helpful volunteers this term. Jesse and Dave facilitated a papier-mâché project, which resulted in some mystical and otherworldly animals being made out of what at first, looked like a pile of rubbish! Sakhile took the guys on some interesting and thought-provoking sound workshops, encouraging the participants to listen to both what was around them, and inside them.

Our main poetry theme was “Hands”. What do we do with our hands? How do they serve us and others? We discovered that we can all do both positive and negative things with our hands and that the choice, although not always an easy one… is ours alone to make.

A wonderful development over the last 6 months has been our Post Release progranme! We have had many determined youngsters knocking at our doors and, with YIP’s support, giving everything they have to developing a lifestyle that will serve them well in the future. Melinda’s tireless attention to these individuals has been a wonderful and much needed addition to our organisation.

Once again, the last while has brought joy, challenges, frustrations, questions, answers and insight. A special thank you to those young men who have been so dedicated to both attending the programme, and to assessing what changes need to be made in their lives.

Julia MerrettProgramme Co-Ordinator and workshop facilitator

Documents

insideout 2010