Rebuilding Futures: Healing the Wounds of Incarceration Through Performance

Tiyana Scarlett emerged from years of silence following her release in 2017. In 2024, she rediscovered her voice through Ritual4Return, a New Jersey initiative harmonizing art with healing. Kevin Bott’s transformative 14-week program promotes storytelling and community connection, enhancing restorative justice. By partnering with NJSTEP, Ritual4Return equips individuals for post-incarceration life. For Scarlett, narrating her experiences signifies profound healing. “Never put a period where a comma is supposed to be,” she articulates, highlighting resilience and ongoing growth.