THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 30, 1995 TAG: 9503300362
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANGELITA PLEMMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
Robert Swift is at peace when he works on the hull of the foot-long wooden model ship.
Since he entered the stuffy, crowded cells of the Norfolk City Jail eight months ago, he has devoted much of his time and energy to completing projects like the elaborate replica of a centuries-old warship, with 15 sails and tiny hand-carved masts.
``This is a very high level of therapy,'' said Swift, 48, who helps supervise other inmates. ``A man is able to get into himself, and it gives you peace of mind.''
Working on arts and crafts is part of a seven-year-old inmate-run program to increase self-esteem, discipline and character.
On Wednesday, the fruits of many weeks of inmate labor were on display in Cell 8-E: Detailed African masks and miniature dalmations made of papier-mache, plaques with biblical inscriptions, necklaces, wood carvings, abstract paintings, intricately detailed glasswork and several model ships, including Swift's.
This year, for the first time, the inmate artwork will help provide scholarships for needy Norfolk public school students. The arts and crafts will be sold at the sixth annual PTA-Kiwanis Scholarship auction April 4-5 at the School Administration Building. The auction will be televised, and callers will be able to bid on the artwork.
Swift figures his sailing ship is worth about $200. Bidding on a papier-mache Dalmatian will start at about $5. A set of two abstract paintings, showing black musicians, will sell for about $10 each.
Proceeds raised from the televised auction will go to graduating public high school seniors who plan to attend a Virginia college or university.
Since the auction started, sponsors have raised about $80,000, selling goods and services ranging from haircuts and perms to legal and automotive services. Last year, 23 students were awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships. Sponsors this year hope to raise $30,000.
Several of the 37 inmates in the program displayed their works Wednesday. Inmates stepped gingerly around the arts and crafts spread out on the floor of the cell.
``Isn't part of the criminal justice system supposed to be rehabilitation?'' said Kathy Bulman, a city spokeswoman. ``It's a nice kind of human dignity thing. Everything was left up to their creativity.''
Michael Walker, an inmate who helps to oversee the program participants, said the artists also sell their crafts and artwork to jail visitors to purchase stamps, envelopes and other materials used to make the crafts. A committee of inmates sets prices for the handmade works.
``Without this, we would not be able to support ourselves,'' said Walker, 32, who is awaiting trial for robbery charges. ``The guys take a lot of pride in their work in here. And we obviously have the time to put into them. It's a good way to relieve tension and kill time.''
Lynn Butler, head of inmate education for the jail, said that, more importantly, it provides inmates, especially younger ones, with a positive coping mechanism.
``It helps take their mind off of some of the stuff they're facing,'' she said as a heavy metal door slammed behind her. ``It's a way to do something positive, because it's not easy being in here.'' ILLUSTRATION: MOTOYA NAKAMURA/Staff
[Color Photo]
Norfolk inmates' arts and crafts will be sold at the PTA-Kiwanis
Scholarship auction Tuesday and Wednesday at the School
Administration Building.
by CNB