Thursday, October 23, 2025

Prisoners Find Hope Through Pickleball at MacDougall-Walker

Pickleball at MacDougall-Walker: Pickleball is finding a new home in prisons, where it offers inmates a chance to build community and gain new skills. The Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) hosted its first-ever rating event at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, Connecticut, on January 17, 2025. Seventeen inmates participated in the tournament, creating a unique opportunity for rehabilitation through sport.

A New Opportunity for Inmates

The event was organized by Angelo Rossetti, founder of Rossetti Brothers Pickleball and the Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League (PICL).

Rossetti shared his excitement about the event, noting the importance of the inmates’ participation: “It was really inspiring to see that the inmates got nervous because they cared, just like anyone else.”

Using taped lines on basketball courts, they set up four makeshift pickleball courts and completed 36 matches in two and a half hours. The event allowed inmates to earn official DUPR ratings, which can help them connect with the broader pickleball community upon release.

Building a Positive Community

This initiative goes beyond recreation; it aims to foster personal growth and community among inmates. By establishing official ratings, inmates can find belonging and support after their release, which can help reduce the risk of returning to prison.

Rossetti emphasized this connection, saying, “For those who eventually get released, having an official rating will allow them to blend seamlessly into the pickleball community—and be better for it.”

To ensure privacy, participants used nicknames and initials to record scores manually, as electronic devices are not allowed in the facility. These scores will later be entered into the DUPR system.

Positive Changes Through Pickleball

The success of this event reflects the growing recognition of pickleball as a transformative tool in rehabilitation. Programs like PICL are actively bringing pickleball to correctional facilities across the U.S.

Rossetti noted that a volunteer coach remarked on the improved sportsmanship among inmates, saying, “That’s a true testament to the work I and our PICL group have put in over the past year.”

The positive impact of pickleball in prisons demonstrates its potential to foster hope and personal development. As the sport continues to grow, it could play a vital role in helping individuals reintegrate into society successfully, offering second chances one game at a time.

News in Brief: Pickleball at MacDougall-Walker

Pickleball is gaining traction in prisons, providing inmates with opportunities for community building and skill development. On January 17, 2025, the first-ever DUPR rating event took place at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Connecticut, with 17 inmates participating.

Organized by Angelo Rossetti, the event aimed to foster personal growth and enhance reintegration into society through the sport.

ALSO READ: The Transformative Power of Pickleball in Rehabilitation, A Game Changing Lives Behind Bars

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