Read the full story on the performance at Estrella Jail
Michelle had already taken most of the other courses and programs offered through Estrella Jail while waiting for trial during the past seven months. She is used to learning new things and keeping busy — she said she had completed a master’s degree before ending up behind bars.
Michelle, participating in the Journey Home program for the second time, said she hoped the performance allowed the audience to see a different side of inmates from the “stereotypical, hardened criminals.”
“We’re not these horrible, bad people,” she said. “We made mistakes, and now we’re paying for them.”
Michelle said what she most wanted people to take away was that those behind bars have real lives, just like everyone else.
“There’s a lot of preconceived notions about people in jail, so we want to thank you for … letting us show you that we’re the same as you,” she told the audience after the performance.
