(BOP) - On Thursday, December 17, several Bureau of Prisons senior staff and wardens attended a program at the White House, "Arts & Innovation: Prison Reform & Reentry in the 21st Century." State and federal prison wardens, youth, artists, federal officials, criminal justice reform advocates, community leaders, and formerly incarcerated individuals, gathered to listen to stories and performances, and a few participated in panel discussions about the impact of creative and performing arts on individuals in the Nation's correctional systems.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch provided opening remarks, reminding attendees that "every point of contact in the system is an opportunity for change." Participants commented that it was inspiring to see so many people willing to play a role in seeking innovative ways to make a positive difference in the lives of others. One warden stated, "There clearly is a new world of opportunities for inmates in the arts."