Inspired by JR’s project in the Tehachapi Maximum Security Prison, and the Tehachapi documentary released by JR in 2024, a new program emerged for the Can Art Change the World? Foundation -- a Global Prison Art Program that uses educational and artistic programming to create opportunities for rehabilitation and healing for those in and connected to our world’s criminal legal system. Our prison program was created to continue to utilize the work, methods and vision of JR to deliver transformative programming and educational experiences that create community, belonging and artistic storytelling in prisons around the world.
In 2019, JR received permission to work in a maximum-security prison located in Tehachapi, California. After meeting and collaborating with incarcerated residents, formerly incarcerated individuals, and prison staff, JR and the participants at the California Correctional Institution came together to create The Yard, a powerful collection of portraits and stories from the prison system. In the years after, JR returned to Tehachapi to create four more installations, including an Inside Out Photobooth Action with the incarcerated population. Throughout this process, many of the original participants moved down a level of security, while others were released on parole - in part due to the good behavior exhibited when creating the pastings.
Seeing the value and impact of collaborative art within prison, JR has been eager to continue creating artistic projects involving incarcerated populations in prisons around the world. The Global Prison Project brings transformative programming and creates community through artistic storytelling and education.
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