If you find yourself wondering can you knit in prison? Then the answer is yes! Knitting is permitted in the majority of United States correctional facilities.
Due to the seriousness of the crimes that inmates are incarcerated for, a tiny number of maximum-security institutions have banned knitting.
Knitting in prison is more frequent than you may imagine; in fact, knitting workshops are becoming the norm in most prisons these days.
Knitters can construct their works of art. Some people enjoy making things for others, while others enjoy making items for themselves.
Blankets, scarves, gloves, and caps are some of the most common products manufactured from knitting.
Adaptation of Knitting in Prison
Knitting workshops and lessons are available to inmates within the prison, where they can use the supplies and tools offered to complete their craft. “Knitting Behind Bars,” for example, is one of many organizations that sponsors and promotes knitting in jail.
Lynn Zwerling and Shelia Rovelstad, the founders of “Knitting Behind Bars,” are two women who run the charity.
They’ve been working together for almost a decade to get knitting allowed in some prisons and local jails.
The duo faced a difficult battle, since the majority of the institutions they visited flatly rejected the concept, but thanks to their perseverance, they were eventually able to establish a knitting program.
Knitting Became Popular After the success of “Knitting Behind Bars,” many correctional facilities began to provide programs that were similar to theirs.
The inmates’ and the public’s reactions were largely positive. Inmates were able to redirect their attention to a project they created, and the community was able to benefit from an influx of clothes contributions as a result of the effort. On both counts, it was a victory.
Knitting In Prison: How It Works
Knitting in jail is accomplished through third-party or correctional facility-sponsored knitting seminars and workshops.
Inmates are given the essential supplies they need to begin knitting such as yarn, needles, hooks, and so on) and are allowed to knit while being supervised.
Inmates can save their work for later completion if they are unable to complete it within the time frame allotted to them, or if they simply wish to take a break and return to it later.
For example, “Knitting Behind Bars” supplies each convict with a Ziploc bag in which they can preserve their work until they want to restart.
The bags are stored by the organization, and inmates have access to them only when they are knitting.
Knitting is very popular in jails. Inmates can join the “Knitting Behind Bars” program, for example, but there is a waiting list because there isn’t enough space or equipment for everyone who wants to participate.
Over 500 offenders in one facility are “active members,” meaning they have not missed a single session, according to “Knitting Behind Bars.” They further claim that over 50 offenders are waiting for a spot in the program to open up.
Knitting in prison has another advantage that is often overlooked: the destination of the products.
The majority of the products manufactured by the inmates are delivered as gifts to family and friends, although others are donated to local shelters. Knitting is a win-win situation for all parties involved.
What Are The Benefits Of Knitting For Prisoners?
Knitting is a popular activity among inmates for a variety of reasons. Some knit to produce gifts, while others knit to relax; whatever the reason, inmates like the activity.
Knitting is a highly relaxing activity for inmates. Knitting not only allows people to express themselves, but it also serves to distract and distance them from their current predicament, which is incarceration.
According to the Washington Post, most inmates didn’t attend their knitting class for the sole purpose of knitting; instead, they wanted to be in an environment where they could learn about accountability and life skills.
Former detainees who took knitting classes said the classes helped them find work after their release. The vast majority also feel that knitting has helped them adjust to life outside of prison.
It’s worth noting that anyone can profit from knitting; you don’t have to be in prison to benefit from it.
Knitting can be beneficial in the following situations:
- Stress/Anxiety
- Gloom/Depression
- Mood fluctuations
- Trauma and PTSD are two different things.
- Sleepless nights and nightmares
What Role Does Knitting Play In Prison?
Knitting is a weekly workshop or session that usually takes place in a correctional facility.
These workshops/classes are hosted by a third party called “Knitting Behind Bars,” Knitting can be included with other artists and creative programs offered in prisons because of their similarities in nature and advantages.
Knitting, like sketching, painting, and sculpting, has been clinically proved to help people improve their mental health. It has also been shown to lessen violence and replace negative character traits with positive ones.
Knitting materials are provided by benefactors, non-profits, third-party groups, and the correctional facility.
Nonprofits and donors have been the primary sources of knitting supplies and funds in the majority of cases. Knitting Behind Bars and other organizations like it can be found all over the United States, all with the same goal: to encourage knitting in jail facilities.
Donors are essential to the survival of such organizations.
When the stories about knitting in prison started to circulate, people were enthralled by the concept and eager to help. Donations flooded in from all over the country to help fund this new endeavor.
The touching stories of inmates knitting for charity encouraged donations as well, because not only do the inmates gain from knitting, but their finished product also helps someone in need, making it a win-win situation.