Art Inside Out program makes better neighbors out of former prisoners

The Art Inside Out program, spearheaded by Kirk Charlton, offers a unique approach to rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals through art education. Drawing from his own experiences as a former inmate, Charlton emphasizes learning from mistakes, stating, "A billion wrongs in drawing makes a right. " This philosophy not only nurtures artistic skills but also fosters personal connections among participants. The results have been remarkable, with a recidivism rate of only 5% among those who have completed the program, starkly contrasting with Oregon's overall rate of 50%. Co-founder Robin Davidson highlights the importance of community support, noting that former prisoners could easily become neighbors and thus should be helped to make better choices.

The program's affordability—just $300 per participant—underscores its effectiveness as a cost-saving measure for taxpayers. Currently implemented at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution, plans are underway to expand the initiative to other facilities, including Oregon State Correctional Institution. Better Neighbors aims to harness the power of art to create lasting change in the lives of those affected by incarceration.