Pickleball in Prison filming enhances rehabilitation

December 4, 2024

Roger Belair teaches pickleball at Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla.

Pickleball was the name of the game as filmmakers for the documentary Pickleball in Prison visited six prisons across California in November.

The crew includes cinematographer Vicente Franco, Ray Day for sound, and producer Daniel Ostroff who are filming pickleball instructor Roger Belair.

Filmmakers visit six institutions

To teach the incarcerated population how to play pickleball, Belair and the team visited:

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo
California State Prison, Corcoran
Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla
Valley State Prison in Chowchilla
and the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran.

Pickleball can be transformative

*Group of pickleball participants at Valley State Prison*

Belair shared his knowledge and expertise of the fastest growing sport in the country. While at the prisons, Belair played matches and discussed the game’s history, skills, and strategy with incarcerated population.

At Corcoran, several residents expressed gratitude for their visit with many of them saying their passion for the sport has served as an integral component of their rehabilitation journey.

“When I come out here to the courts, all my problems go away,” said one incarcerated individual. “By the time I’m done playing, I’m soaked in sweat from a great workout, I’ve laughed with guys from all around the yard, and I haven’t given a single thought to the problems I thought were a big deal but aren’t.”

Physically, pickleball is a great cardiovascular workout with minimal risk of injuries. Socially, pickleball brings residents together that otherwise would not typically interact without the sport. Mentally, pickleball provides an outlet to the daily stresses that can otherwise make the day difficult.

Staff, population learn and play together

*Corcoran population plays pickleball after lessons from Belair*

Chief Deputy Warden Nathan Gaughan at California Men’s Colony joined in on the fun, learning game strategy and in the end playing against, and with the population.

“To have some camaraderie, some friendly competition it is awesome to have fun times with a sport we all share a passion for,” he said.

The documentary Pickleball in Prison is expected to be released in December 2025.

Story by Ashton Harris, information officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications