Experiencing the Global Mosaic That is Inside-Out
November 2023
By Anya Rainwater
The 25th+ Anniversary Celebration of The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program began on a chilly Sunday evening in November, as attendees took refuge in the warmth of Temple University’s historic Mitten Hall. Some had driven straight from the airport and held luggage in hand, while others arrived after an exclusive tour of Eastern State Penitentiary. Traveling from across the world to the City of Philadelphia, they enjoyed light dinner refreshments and greetings from friends and colleagues that felt long overdue.
People continued to trickle into the space over the next few hours, where the group took part in a welcoming ceremony, a creative exercise, and, of course, food! The attendees introduced themselves and their connection to Inside-Out in an activity that highlighted the diversity of the program and the creativity of the people within it. In keeping with the event theme of Inside-Out as a Global Mosaic, each person was asked to contribute a haiku or mantra that reflected an element of what Inside-Out means on an international scale. The evening concluded with free time for conversation as everyone slowly departed from the reception, excited for what the next two days of programming would hold.
Monday morning began with coffee, breakfast, and a need for adaptability that some people noted was strikingly similar to the flexibility demanded of Inside-Out instructors and students all the time.
Despite some technological issues, the event pushed forward. Over 15 panels were available for attendees to choose from throughout the day, offering topics from collaging to Inside-Out for law enforcement.
A lunch hour created special time to unwind after the panels, chat about new ideas, or watch a video compilation about Inside-Out. There were also opportunities to collect Inside-Out branded swag, including exclusive 25th+ branded t-shirts.
After a closing message, many of the attendees gathered to be transported to a dinner at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (PICC), part of the Philadelphia jail system in Northeast Philadelphia. PICC was the site of the very first Inside-Out class in Fall 1997. There, the gymnasium had been transformed into an elaborately decorated banquet hall arranged by some of those incarcerated at the facility. Although it was unfortunate that those incarcerated were not permitted by the jail to join the event, their hard work as a demonstration of gratitude was appreciated by all who attended. The dinner was a reminder of the importance of higher education in prisons and showcased the tremendous impact it can have on everyone involved in the justice system.
Before anyone could quite believe it, Tuesday programming began. Art was on display in the main gathering room, exhibiting the incredible talent of members of the Inside-Out community. On this day, 18 panels and presentations were hosted, presenting ideas about the transformative capabilities of Inside-Out into the future. The President of Temple University, Richard Englert, delivered a short speech expressing his appreciation for the work of the program, showing the capability of universities to support the work of prison educators. Other panels reported new research on Inside-Out and offered ideas for novel ways it may be able to support education for justice-impacted individuals.
In the evening, people were invited back to Mitten Hall for dinner and a closing ceremony. This time offered the opportunity to honor members of the community who had passed away, recognize the contributions of people within Inside-Out, and hear impactful words from speaker Faruq Wideman. All too soon, it was time for final hugs to be exchanged as the night came to a close.
Thank you to everyone who made the 25th+ Anniversary possible. The celebration was an incredible example of the creativity and passion that unites all Inside-Out classes throughout the world, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the countless people who contributed their time and energy to make it happen. One might assume that after over 25 years, this reunion would feel like a routine gathering of people who are content to stay the same. On the contrary, the 25th+ Celebration was a gathering of bright and excited people sharing their ideas for how Inside-Out can continually grow and adapt and change to create even more transformative experiences for students, both inside and out. We can’t wait to see what Inside-Out looks like when we meet again.
