NJ Inmates vs. Princeston Students: Prison Chess

Link to article written by Wayne Perry of The Evening Sun - about a cultural exchange program that involves Princeston students playing against the inmates of the New Jersey State prison.

http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_11025468

Take a look, it's worth the read for some interesting comments the prisoners make about what chess means for them, and a funny moment when a prisoner celebrates his victory against one of the students.

Wow Rael, that was a great article. It made me think a lot about what;s important in life. What's great is that the prisoners have some momentary escape ffrom thier lives. You can say what you want about their crimes, but prison is a harsh place and those who are in it pay for their crimes with each passing hours. It was nice to see some of the "Ivy League" making worthy contributions to a good cause. Nice article, thanks!

OK Rael, obviously we're the only two interested enough to post about this. Everyone should be reading this article. It is a prime example of the power of chess. You should check out the Hip Hop Chess Federation. They do some amazing things. Wu Tang Clan is really into the game.

Wow truly an enlightening article showing one of the greatest aspects of this archaic game, the ability to control your own fate.

Many thanks for flagging this article!

Thank you for the link, it was a very good article.  I'm very glad that they are given the chance to escape, and enjoy chess.  The last quote was especially poignant.  I usually notice something like that when I twist an ankle or something, and than realize that I can't wait to be able to run again.  I have heard of some really high rated players in prison who play alot of post card chess.

Great read

My chess club in college did a similar program in Virginia. We taught inmates who were involved in a therapeutic rehabilitation program in a regional jail. It was definitely an experience that can change your outlook. Prison's are not exactly friendly places, but in time you realize the inmates as individuals can be as friendly as anyone.

What an awesome read. Thanks for posting!

So surpising, really? Wake up and welcome to the real world!

I've played football against prisoners and it was a blast once I got over the presence of armed guards looking down on the field of play. Given the amount of time on their hands, I would think lots of inmates could develop a decent level of chess play. With prison libraries adding internet access, I would not be surprised to see an Inmate Group formed in the near future (assuming there is not one already).

Hey, turns out the associated press was there with cameras...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9uJFl_vglk

Bla Bla Bla!

Do you have some kind of brain damage, thegab?

Or would you like to post something of substance?

Nevermind, I'm just going to block you and not have to deal with your obvious stupidity in the future, you piece of fail.

Unfortunately chess seems to have come just too late for those inmates.

Chess never comes too late for anyone. I retired after working almost 22 years in the state prison system after a 20 year military retirement. I enjoyed watching inmates play chess and many were very, very good. If any of you get a chance read 'The Grass Arena' by John Healy. He learned to play chess in prison and became a champion at it. Chess was the thing that helped him kick his alcohol addiction and not return to prison. THEGAB03 don't be so critical. Healy was a an Irishman who lived in England and turned him self around.

I'm familiar with the Princeton prison chess matches.  There are numerous similar community contributions.  I think that it's great.

However, it's not a matter of chess coming too late for the inmates.  They can still use their intelligence and focus to make new lives for themselves.  Most choose not to do so.  Look at all the 'bums' in the various parks around the country that are freakin' geniuses but hustle games for cigarette money.

One of the things that I've never understood is how really smart people can't make even a halfway decent life for themselves, but some of the stupidest people on earth hold high level and high paying jobs from which they should be immediately fired.  Socialization and people skills have to be a big part of the answer.  Intelligence is a secondary or tertiary factor in life success.

That's replacing one addiction with another :P

The article in the OP makes me want to go to jail, so all I have to worry about is chess!

lol