( Photo courtesy of Wesleyan University ) I first encountered Ron Jenkins' work because I was researching the 1971 Attica Prison uprising and saw that he was hosting an event commemorating the 50th anniversary. The presentation (only his latest prison/university collaboration) featured the voices of recently-incarcerated individuals as well as Wesleyan students and commentary from two survivors of the events in Attica. Turns out, Professor Jenkins is chairman of the Theatre department at Wesleyan University and a visiting Religion and Theatre professor at the Yale Divinity School, Institute of Sacred Music. He uses documentary theatre to promote social transformation and human rights, and has led workshops around the world. He is also a former circus clown. If you’re interested in reading some of my other work on criminal justice and prison reform, check out these posts: “Locking Up Our Own” by James Forman, Jr. , Yukari Kane: Volunteering at San Quentin , Covid-19 at San Quentin
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