Entrance to NORCO prison.
For a group of inmates at the Norco prison, weekends are special. At this facility, located near Los Angeles, some inmates leave their cells for three hours to take classes on jarana, an instrument that is the soul of the music of the coastlands of the Gulf of Mexico. Their instructors, such as maestro Cesar Castro, are famous traditional musicians who, in addition to teaching them to play the instrument, inform them about the historical roots of this musical genre. This program, known as Arts in Corrections, is part of an effort by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Arts Council and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts. Its purpose is to rehabilitate prisoners and help them prepare for reintegration into their families and communities. Ruben Tapia attended one of these classes inside Norco.
This program, known as Arts in Corrections, is part of an effort by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Arts Council and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts. Its purpose is to rehabilitate prisoners and help them prepare for reintegration into their families and communities. Ruben Tapia attended one of these classes inside Norco.
This entry is available only in Español.
Photos by Ruben Tapia
For more information about Arts in Corrections visit this page
To listen more Arts and Culture programs visit our Arts and Culture section at www.radiobilingue.org
