Pickleball at Connecticut Prison: The MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution (MWCI) in Suffield, CT, may not resemble the typical pickleball haven, but America’s fastest-growing sport has found a foothold within its walls. Pickleball in prisons is gaining momentum nationwide, and Connecticut Public Radio’s Eddy Martinez recently spotlighted the unique program at this maximum-security facility.
Coaching with Compassion
Angelo Rossetti, a coach with the Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League (PICL), leads the program at MWCI. PICL is a national organization dedicated to equipping correctional institutions with the resources to offer play and instruction, aiming to rehabilitate those serving time. Rossetti’s approach, as Martinez reports, is one of non-judgmental coaching, which deeply resonates with the inmates.
“One of the inmates, a 20-year-old male, had said to me: ‘You mean you don’t see me as a criminal?’ And I replied: ‘No, I see you as a person.'” – (Rossetti)
This empathetic approach has earned the respect of inmates like Caesar O’Neil, who, despite serving a 120-year sentence, finds solace in the kindness shown by Rossetti.
“You see one person show a little empathy, and that little empathy went a very long way.” – (O’Neil)
Navigating Risks for a Greater Good
While Rossetti is aware of the inherent risks involved in working within a prison environment, he remains committed to the cause.
“Sometimes you gotta put yourself in an uncomfortable position to make a difference in someone’s life.” – (Rossetti)
Rossetti’s dedication is matched by PICL’s Director and Co-Founder, Sarah Gersten, who believes strongly in bringing pickleball to the incarcerated.
“It makes sense from a public safety point of view.” – (Sarah)
A Positive Shift in Inmate Behavior
Since its launch in 2017, MWCI’s pickleball program has shown tangible benefits. Eulalia Garcia, the Programs and Treatment Director for the Connecticut Department of Correction, emphasized the value of the program in fostering positive interactions and improving inmates’ outlook on life.
“We’ve seen more positive interactions with other individuals from our participants that are participating in pickleball; we’ve seen a healthier outlook on their future.” – (Garcia)
The program provides inmates with something to look forward to, offering happiness and motivation that many had lost.
News in Brief: Pickleball at Connecticut Prison
At Connecticut’s MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, a unique pickleball program is helping inmates gain a healthier outlook on their future. Led by Coach Angelo Rossetti under the Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League, the program promotes rehabilitation through non-judgmental coaching and has positively impacted inmate behavior since its inception in 2017.
Inmates like Caesar O’Neil, serving a 120-year sentence, find solace in the empathy shown by the coaches, while the Connecticut Department of Correction notes improved interactions and motivation among participants. Despite inherent risks, the program continues to foster hope and change.
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