Pickleball in Rehabilitation: Pickleball has become a surprising source of joy for inmates at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Connecticut. Spearheaded by the Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League (PICL), the sport is helping prisoners escape daily stresses and build connections in an otherwise challenging environment.
Inmates gather weekly to play pickleball in the prison’s gym, under the watchful eyes of officers. The program, launched in 2023, has grown rapidly, reaching every correctional institution in Connecticut and expanding to over 40 facilities across 12 states. For many inmates, including Joseph “Joey” Losgar, the sport has become a life-changing experience.
A Program of Hope and Connection
The gym at MacDougall-Walker, decorated with a hand-painted pickleball mural, is where the program thrives. Inmates set up courts daily during open gym hours and participate in weekly tournaments and clinics run by outside volunteers.
The equipment stays inside the gym for security reasons, but that hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm. Losgar, 34, serving an eight-year sentence, shared how pickleball has made a difference.
“Playing just takes you out of this place and it brings this joy. Even if it’s just for an hour, it takes you away from all the stresses that you have and that you carry on a daily basis here. It brings the better out of people.” – (Losgar)
From Recreation to a National Movement
What began at MacDougall-Walker has become a national initiative. PICL’s mission is to use pickleball as a tool for rehabilitation and community building within prisons. The rapid adoption of the program across the country highlights its success and the transformative power of sports.
The program’s structure fosters teamwork, discipline, and positivity. The Friday clinics, in particular, give inmates a chance to learn from volunteers and improve their skills. The weekly tournaments provide a healthy outlet for competition and camaraderie.
Transforming Lives Behind Bars
For many inmates, pickleball offers more than just recreation. It’s a chance to smile, laugh, and connect with others. The sport helps build relationships, reduce tension, and provide a sense of normalcy.
“Adjusting [to life] here is tough and at first I never thought I would be able to even smile or to laugh again in a place like this. But getting to play pickleball here, I look forward to playing all the time, everybody does.” – (Losgar)
The Road Ahead
With its growing popularity, PICL plans to expand further, bringing pickleball to more facilities across the country. The program has shown that even in the most challenging environments, sports can bring hope and foster positive change.
For inmates like Losgar, pickleball is more than a game—it’s a lifeline, offering moments of freedom and joy in an otherwise restrictive world. As the program continues to grow, it could serve as a model for using sports to create meaningful rehabilitation opportunities.
News in Brief: Pickleball in Rehabilitation
Pickleball is transforming lives at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution and beyond through the Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League (PICL). The program provides inmates with joy, friendship, and mental health benefits. Now in over 40 facilities across 12 states, PICL uses pickleball as a tool for rehabilitation, fostering hope and positive change.
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