Out of an Article about Waldorf Education.....by Truus Geraets USA

Further more I had the opportunity to witness a very impressive work with offenders in a youth prison in north California. In this prison each young person had their own cell, locked at night. During the day they attended school in the same building. In each classroom I saw not only a teacher but also a warder who was able to remove the individual from the classroom with the slightest challenge.

The director of the prison truly wished to help the young people to a better life. The greatest initial problem for the young person was the whole school business. As presented in most state schools, it had become totally unbearable. After the director had heard of Waldorf education and had sent some teachers to the Waldorf teacher-training, the situation had begun to change. The young people began to develop an interest in school. When in addition an experienced Waldorf teacher joined, the hated school atmosphere slowely changed into a place of creative teaching. I myself could perceive how the young people worked keenly and enthusiastically on their art -projects. They listened with great interest to the description of a certain period in history because it was related in such a.lively manner. They even used their free time to practise recorder playing because they wanted to play a duet by Mozart for their parents. Otherwise regarded as hopless, they showed a great artistic ability. Regaining their self-esteam in this realm, the will grew to succeed in all the school subjects.

Several young people begged the judge to extend their sentences. They knew how better it would be to remain in the school instead of falling back into the street life.

Tn their deepest being people are good. If one were only able to help as much as possible in carving out their potential. The personnel of the youth prison possessed a deeper love and seriously attemped to help their charges to a better life. With the help of Waldorf ( Steiner) education and the special emphasis on the artistic faculties, paths opened up to turn the otherwise hopleless situation towards something good.......

From : Newsletter from the Section for the Arts of Eurythmy, Speech and Music.