Juvenile Prisons are Not the Answer

By Tiffany Srivilay, Communications Director of Art 180

February 13, 2018

Many Richmond kids are facing a creative crisis and lack the resources they need to openly

express themselves. Art opportunities help kids develop skills that are vital for their future. Skills

like teamwork, innovative thinking, and conflict resolution are learned through creative

expression. Vulnerable young people who have faced poverty, abuse, incarceration, and more

crave inspirational support. We aim to provide the creative outlet Richmond needs through a

number of programs, local partnerships, and community engagement.

Our aid doesn’t stop at the

community level. One of

our main focuses is the

development of

Richmond’s incarcerated

youth. We give them an

opportunity to tell others

about their experiences,

raise awareness, and spark

community dialogue for

transformation. In fact, every summer we host a 3-day art advocacy initiative for those part of the

Richmond Juvenile Detention Center - Post Dispositional Program. During these three days, they

are able to leave their detention facility and socialize with other teens going through similar

experiences. Artists across Richmond work collaboratively with them to create media

campaigns, mobile exhibitions, and discuss improvements for the juvenile justice system.

A young artist, who goes by A.R., attended this summer

program. He created a self-portrait with motivational words

wrapped around it. “Now a lot of people see my face and my

pictures everywhere,” he says. “But the support is most

important.”

Signs made by both Art 180 students and the Legal Aid Justice, a program that hopes to reimagine the justice system

Self-portrait done by A.R, using a screen printer

Last fall, we introduced a new exhibit called, “My Reality,” which features these incarcerated

teens. This exhibit allows visitors an experience to step into a virtual cell and hear stories from

youth affected by the schools-to-prison pipeline. “My Reality” was started in hopes to make a

difference at the state legislation level. It is housed one block away from the General Assembly.

We created this exhibit to offer a space for both organizers and legislators to discuss issues

arising from the juvenile justice system in Richmond. The mastermind behind this exhibit, Mark

Strandquist, said “it’s about using the art to create a bridge between the youth most affected by

these systems and those in power.”

Juvenile prisons are not the answer. It costs taxpayers nearly $135,000 per child annually to

maintain these facilities versus the $14,000 to educate that same child. Funding community-

based alternatives cost less and provide advocacy for those

struggling. There are substitutes to the school-to-prison

pipeline. Young individuals who are impacted by

incarceration can build essential skills by merging art, education, and community involvement.

By funding community programs like Art 180, you can make a difference in our community and

positively turn lives around.

Art 180 is a nonprofit organization in Richmond, Virginia offering creative expression outlets for

young people and communities that face challenging circumstances.

Phone line in the exhibit where you can listen to an incarcerated teen’s

thoughts on the justice system

-30-

Sources:

Baldwin, Brent. “Preview: Art 180 Opens Virtual Reality Exhibit Featuring Incarcerated Teens.”

Style Weekly, 06 Oct. 2017, https://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/preview-art180-opens-

virtual-reality-exhibit-featuring-incarcerated-teens/Content?oid=5025489. Accessed 13 Feb.

2018.

Na, Na. “Welcome to Art180 | Art180.” Art180, 15 Jan. 2018, www.art180.org/. Accessed 13

Feb. 2018.

Na, Na. “Performing Statistics.” Performing Statistics, http://www.performingstatistics.org/the-

project. Accessed 13 Feb. 2018.