A Worthwhile Cause

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"InsideOUT Writers conducts weekly writing classes within the Los Angeles County Juvenile Hall System. The classes, taught by writers, poets, screenwriters, journalists and educators, give students the opportunity to refocus their lives without the influence of peer pressure and build their self-esteem. Through writing, participants are able to tell their stories, reflect on the past, and decide how they will write the next chapter of their lives.

What is InsideOUT Writers?

InsideOUT Writers volunteers conduct writing classes in three juvenile halls in the Greater Los Angeles Area: Central Juvenile Hall, Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall and Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Over 300 students between the ages of twelve and eighteen attend classes one to two times per week on a voluntary basis.

In a classroom environment free of judgment, students are encouraged to write with clarity and authenticity without worrying about sophistication or grammar. Before each session ends, students are offered the opportunity to read their work aloud. InsideOUT Writers gives many of its participants a first-time opportunity to hear their words aloud and see their work published.

Teachers lead classes in personal narrative and poetry to help students better understand themselves and reevaluate their judgment of the world. As the students’ ability to express themselves grows, so does their self confidence and motivation to improve other aspects of their lives.

Our Results

In a study conducted by the Rand Corporation for the Los Angeles Probation Department it was shown that InsideOUT Writer’s participants are less violent than the general population of incarcerated youth. It has also been determined by the Probation Department and the teachers within the Court School system that IOW helps youth express their negative feelings through writing, rather than through violence, and that IOW students are better prepared to pass their high school exit exams. Participation in the IOW program increases students’ self esteem as well as their attitude toward learning.

Not only do the youth recognize the value of the writing program, but the staff at the various juvenile halls recognizes its value as well. Staff has consistently said that the writing program helps ease the young people’s pain and enables them to express it in a positive way rather than through violence in the units."