pickelball in prison
pickelball in prison
PICKLEBALL IN PRISON™ is a feature length documentary that follows Roger Belair, a retired businessman who has introduced pickleball to 24 prisons across six states, including New York, Connecticut, California, Washington, Florida, and Alaska. What began with a single letter to a sheriff in Chicago has grown into a national initiative, with Roger now recruiting and mentoring volunteers to bring the program to even more facilities. Inside maximum-security institutions such as San Quentin and Folsom, the sport has led rival gangs to play as partners and wardens to share the court with lifers. This is a film about the unique qualities of America’s fastest-growing sport for rehabilitation, human connection, and hope taking shape one game at a time.
“ 95% of the people behind bars today will eventually be released. What kind of neighbors do you want them to be when they get out? ”
- Roger BelAir
“ In prison I’ve steered away from sports due to potential for conflict. I’m somebody who doesn’t like conflict and I would not play sports, but pickleball is perfect for me because there’s not a potential for conflict.”
- Jessie Milo
“ Pickleball helps build the rapport and kind of brings down the tension in these places, and it just makes things better for the staff and inmates. ”
- Correctional Officer P. De La Torre, SATF
“ It may be difficult for a staff member to step in face to face and have a discussion with an incarcerated guy. But I can stand shoulder to shoulder and play pickleball and have a discussion. that's, that's beneficial.”
- Warden Oak Smith, San Quentin State Prison