“We’re here to become human again.”
That is perhaps one of the most powerful lines in the critically acclaimed film, “Sing Sing.” The movie is a lightly fictionalized account of a theater program that has operated inside New York's Sing Sing prison for many years. The Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program has been so successful that it now operates in eight correctional facilities nationwide.
Likewise, the movie about RTA has been so successful that it is nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Actor (Colman Domingo), Best Song (Fly Like a Bird), and Best Adapted Screenplay. Founding RTA member “Divine G” Whitfield, one of the nominated writers who was portrayed by Domingo’s lead character, spoke on a panel after a screening at Rutgers Law School in Newark on January 30. Whitfield also stars in the film along with several former RTA participants in leading roles.
“Creative arts is an explosive expression of humanity,” he said. “It allows us to connect with each other on mind-boggling levels.”
Rutgers Law School's Center on Criminal Justice, Youth Rights, and Race (CJYRR) hosted the screening and panel the day before it was released on streaming platforms. This is the second in a series CJYRR is planning this year.
“Artistic expression is essential to the survival and well-being of every human being, including those who are imprisoned,” said Professor and CCJYRR Director Laura Cohen. “We are thrilled and honored to have three extraordinary artists share their experiences, vision, and passion for the arts with the Rutgers community.”
Two other returning citizens, Shakoure Charpentier and Christopher White, spoke about artistic expression being crucial to their survival on the inside and the journey home. Charpentier spent part of his 25 years in prison at Sing Sing with Whitfield. He also participated in the Story Arts and Theater Collaborative at Otisville Correctional Facility in New York.
“Men and women can change. They can refocus,” Charpentier said. “They can grow new behavioral stem cells. The program allowed us to see a side of ourselves we didn’t realize was there all along.”
Charpentier is now an award-winning writer, youth mentor, non-profit founder, and business owner.
Whitfield says RTA participants have a recidivism level of 3% compared to 60% of the national average. The lifesaving program helps improve social and communication skills and helps participants manage emotions. Whitfield said it was a critical conduit to expel negative energy having been locked away nearly 25 years for a crime he didn’t commit. According to Whitfield, “Sing Sing” the film is now helping to highlight a large population of prisoners trying to improve themselves through programs like RTA.
“Our mission was to give our audiences an entirely different view of prisons,” he said. “We always see the violence and intense drama. That’s true, but there’s another side. ‘Sing Sing’ is another side.”
The movie is far from Whitfield’s only creative accomplishment. He has published eight novels, some from Sing Sing while he was incarcerated. Seven of those novels have been adapted into screenplays. Since his release, he’s traveled on Lil Wayne’s international tour as a stage manager. Now, he says he’s flying on cloud nine getting ready for Oscar night on March 2 in Los Angeles. There’s one other thing that would make his day aside from taking home the statue.
“I would love to meet Demi Moore,” he said. “It’s crazy that she’s going to be there.”