Senator Shelley B. Mayer, Senator Pete Harckham, YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, 914United, Center for Community Alternatives, and Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) hosted a special screening of Sing Sing followed by a Q&A with sponsoring organizations and an RTA alumnus, at the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester. 

The film Sing Sing follows the story of Divine G (played by Colman Domingo), who as described in the film, is imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he did not commit. During his incarceration, he finds purpose in a theatre group (RTA) with other incarcerated men. This is a true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art, starring an ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors. 

Rehabilitation Through the Arts or RTA, first launched at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 1996, offers custom curricula through the arts to help provide healing, teach communication, collaboration, and important life skills. “RTA is a commitment to a community of peers that uses the arts as a tool to support emotional, social, and cognitive growth,” according to the organization’s website.

RTA reports that less than 3% of RTA participants return to prison within three years, compared to the national recidivism rate of over 60%. 

Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am proud to partner on this inspiring film and discussion that sheds light on the importance of hope, purpose, and opportunity for incarcerated men and women. I believe that our system of justice, particularly during incarceration, should provide rich opportunities for rehabilitation and growth and reflection. I particularly single out RTA as the epitome of the not-for-profit model that is so very successful, as the film conveys. I thank my colleague Senator Pete Harckham, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, 914United, the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, and Center for Community Alternatives for partnering with me on this event. And I thank everyone on the panel, all formerly incarcerated, who shared their stories with us.”

Senator Pete Harckham said, “Sing Sing is a powerful reminder that redemption, creativity, and second chances are not just ideas — they are lived experiences. I am proud to co-sponsor this screening with Senator Mayer so our community can come together to honor the transformative impact of the arts and to support pathways that help people rebuild their lives. I commend those who shared this personal story on-screen and Rehabilitation Through the Arts for working to enhance the lives of so many incarcerated individuals.”

Que Newbill, Board Chair, Rehabilitation Through the Arts, said, “Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) is honored to partner with State Senators Mayer and Harckham, 914United, Center for Community Alternatives, and the YWCA White Plains and Central Westchester, for a special screening of Sing Sing. The film offers a powerful and authentic portrayal of RTA’s real-life theater program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, illuminating the lived realities of incarceration. Equally important, the story captures the heart of RTA’s programs, in which art serves as a life-changing bridge to connection, healing, and hope. Screenings like this are essential to deepening public understanding of the power of arts-in-prison programs and the transformative potential they unlock for people to thrive after incarceration.” 

Jonathan Alvarez, Co-Founder and CEO, 914United, said, “Our stories are not for others to tell. This event is important because it centers accurate representation of reentry and highlights the needs identified by people with lived experience, shared directly by those who have walked that journey.”

Richard Rivera, Director of Special Initiatives at Center for Community Alternatives, said, “At Center for Community Alternatives (CCA), we believe deeply in the extraordinary capacity of people to change, grow, and transform when given real opportunities to do so. But that individual transformation must be matched by policies and structures that recognize it, support it, and allow people to move forward with dignity. Our work is rooted in the conviction that systems should evolve in tandem with the people they serve. We are grateful to Senator Mayer and Senator Harckham for bringing us together today, for their leadership in advancing this essential conversation, and for their support of key legislation like the Second Look Act and Earned Time Act.”

Tiffany S.W. Hamilton, YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester CEO, said, “At the YWCA White Plains and Central Westchester, we know that healing takes many forms, and the arts have always been a powerful way for people to reclaim their voice, their dignity, and their possibilities. Sing, Sing captures that truth with clarity, reminding us that creativity can open doors even in the most constrained environments. Our work includes supporting families who are justice involved, because every person deserves access to services, community, and opportunity regardless of their past. Partnering with Senator Mayer, Senator Harckham, and our community organizations for this screening reflects our belief that healing, transformation, and a path forward are possible when we invest in the fullness of people’s stories.”