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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT,

IN ADDRESSING JUVENILE OFFENDER RECIDIVISM, COMMEND KESHET

DANCE COMPANY FOR ITS EFFORTS AND COLLABORATION WITH THE YOUTH

DIAGNOSTIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER, JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS AND

OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE DANCE

EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP FOR INCARCERATED YOUTH THROUGH THE

PROCESSES OF INCARCERATION, PAROLE AND REINTEGRATION AND THAT

STATE AGENCIES ENCOURAGE KESHET DANCE COMPANY AND SIMILAR

ENTITIES TO TAKE TANGIBLE STEPS TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM RATES

AMONG JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND AT-RISK POPULATIONS WHO ARE

POTENTIAL JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

WHEREAS, the cost of incarceration to the state is

estimated at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) per year per

inmate; and

WHEREAS, current recidivism rates for New Mexico

juveniles are at epidemic levels; and

WHEREAS, "The Impact of Arts Education on Workforce

Preparation", an issue brief developed by the national

governors association center for best practices, states that,

"For at-risk youth, that segment of society most likely to

suffer from limited lifetime productivity, the arts contribute

to lower recidivism rates; increased self-esteem; the

acquisition of job skills; and the development of much needed

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creative thinking, problem solving and communications

skills... involvement in the arts is one avenue by which at-

risk youth can acquire the various competencies necessary to

become economically self-sufficient over the long term, rather

than becoming a financial strain on their states and

communities... research reveals that when young people, both

general and at-risk populations, study the arts they show

heightened academic standing, a strong capacity for self-

assessment, and a secure sense of their own ability to plan

and work for a positive future"; and

WHEREAS, this report asserts that, while arts education

can have a beneficial and enriching effect on all children, it

is this capacity for fostering a positive self-concept and

deepening students' involvement in the learning process that

is most dramatic for at-risk youth; and

WHEREAS, Keshet dance company has a nine-year history of

implementing dance mentorship programming for incarcerated

youth at the youth diagnostic development center; and

WHEREAS, Keshet dance company has developed a curriculum

for teaching math, literacy and conflict resolution skills

through dance to at-risk and incarcerated juveniles through

in-school and after-school education programs; and

WHEREAS, incarcerated juveniles currently participating

in Keshet dance company programs show a fifty percent

improvement rating on math and literacy skills, based on pre-

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and post-tests given at six-week intervals, and a sixteen

percent reduction in conflicts with other inmates and staff

compared to nonparticipating inmates; and

WHEREAS, Keshet dance company is willing to continue its

work with at-risk and incarcerated youth and to expand the

scope of its work to reach more youth and to continue

mentorship relationships with juveniles through the parole and

reintegration process;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children,

youth and families department be requested to commend Keshet

dance company on its dance programs, its educational and

social curricula and its provision of mentorship relationships

for incarcerated and paroled youth, all aimed at reducing

juvenile recidivism rates; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the children, youth and

families department report on its progress in collaborating

with Keshet dance company and similar entities to implement

dance and other arts programs to prevent incarceration in at-

risk populations and reduce recidivism rates for juvenile

offenders; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of children, youth and families,

the appropriate interim legislative committee and the

legislative finance committee.