This summer, as part of the Performing Statistics project, directed by Photography/Film alumnus Mark Strandquist, a group of incarcerated youth were able to leave their prison 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. Youth participants worked with artists, lawyers, educators, and activists to use art and writing to re-imagine the juvenile justice system.
In Virginia, there are over ten thousand youth incarcerated each year, at an annual cost of over $130,000 per teen. Of the youth in the prison system, 40 percent are between 8-14 years of age, and 70 percent will be reincarcerated after three years.
The culmination of the Performing Statistics project is taking place in the form of a Justice Parade at 5 p.m. on October 2, 2015. The parade will travel from the General Assembly Building to an exhibit of projects made by the youth participants.
Contact the project organizers if you’re interested in participating. Organizers are looking for people who work with youth, musicians, community organizations and any other volunteers who are able to come out and support the cause.
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