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Inmates Rehabilitate Through Theater in Sing Sing Prison
5 Oct
Summary
- Sing Sing prison inmates participate in Rehabilitation Through the Arts program
- Inmate John "Divine G" Whitfield finds solace in playwriting
- Clashes with another inmate, Divine Eye, but they work together to put on a comedy
As of October 2025, the Watch With Us team is recommending three films that brilliantly balance dark humor with complex emotions, leading to an intense cinematic experience. One of these films is Sing Sing, a moving Oscar-nominated movie that takes place at New York's famous prison and follows a group of inmates participating in the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program.
Many of the inmates in Sing Sing are portrayed by real-life formerly incarcerated men, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the story. The film focuses on John "Divine G" Whitfield, an inmate who falls in love with the RTA program and finds solace in playwriting. Whitfield clashes with another inmate, Divine Eye (Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin, a real former RTA participant), but the two learn to work together in order to put on an original comedy with their fellow inmates.
Sing Sing is both an indictment of the American prison system and a tribute to those who have survived it. The film is moving, heartfelt, funny, and tragic, offering a powerful and nuanced perspective on the challenges and triumphs of rehabilitation behind bars.
