Gina Cilento Brings Pickleball to Maine State Prison: The Peaceful Prisons Project is hosting a pickleball week at the Maine State Prison (MSP) in Warren, aiming to improve the well-being of individuals affected by the prison system. This initiative features Olympian Gina Cilento, who is joining the program’s Peaceful Playoffs on Tuesday.
Olympian Joins the Program
Gina Cilento’s participation is a highlight for the participants. Rich Yvon, a recreation officer at Maine State Prison, expressed his excitement, stating,
“That’s top-tier stuff for us. I don’t believe I’ve ever met an Olympian, and it’s crazy to think it’s going to be the first opportunity I have for that.” – (Rich Yvon)
Abbe Marten, founder and CEO of the Peaceful Prisons Project, noted,
“She called and said she heard about our stories. We met with her. She bought in to us. The cool thing about working at non-profits is it’s all about personal connections.” – (Abbe Marten)
This personal connection is a key aspect of non-profit work.
Benefits of Pickleball in Prison
Pickleball offers many benefits for players, especially in a prison setting. Brad Chesnel, a pickleball player, explained,
“Pickleball, especially in a prison setting, is tremendously fun. It takes all the armor off and all the stigmas of who’s who. Everybody comes out here on that little tiny court over there, they break bread, have fun whacking a ball, and play pickleball. It’s a great sport to have in prisons because it actually drops the stigmas of us not liking each other.” – (Brad Chesnel)
He added that the sport helps build connections among inmates and staff, stating,
“It also drops the stigmas in the way that I’ve been able to play pickleball with staff in here. That (seems) totally uncommon, (like) that doesn’t happen in a prison environment, but staff enjoy it just as much as us. Plus, it’s an easy sport. Anyone can play it.” – (Brad Chesnel)
Significance of the Initiative
The Peaceful Prisons Project operates nationwide, using sports like pickleball to foster community and break down barriers. By introducing this sport in prisons, they aim to create a positive atmosphere that encourages social interaction and reduces tensions. More information about the project can be found on its website, PeacefulPrisonsProject.org.
News in Brief: Gina Cilento Brings Pickleball to Maine State Prison
The Peaceful Prisons Project is hosting pickleball week at Maine State Prison in Warren. Olympian Gina Cilento is joining the program’s Peaceful Playoffs on Tuesday. Participants express excitement about the sport’s ability to foster connections and break down barriers between inmates and staff. More information is available online.
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