Since 2023, the Youth Correctional Center (YCC) in Mandan, North Dakota, has been incorporating an Artist in Residency program into their curriculum. Every few months, residents at YCC have the opportunity to participate in a weeklong residency led by poets and teaching artists Frederick Edwards Jr. and Joe Davis. The purpose of the Arts in Justice initiative is to use creative expression—especially poetry and storytelling—as a powerful tool for healing, self-discovery, and personal transformation among youth in the juvenile justice system.
The catalyst for the initiative was NDCA’s former Arts in Education Director, Rebecca Engelman, who hosted an Arts in Justice Gathering in 2023. That event inspired YCC’s Superintendent of Correctional Education, Michelle Pfaff, and Central Regional Education Association’s (CREA) Healthy Youth, Community, and Social Service Specialist Dr. Melissa Spelchen to team up with Rebecca and begin offering residencies at the facility. The program is now cooperatively managed by NDCA's current Arts in Education Director Matthew Anderson, Dr. Melissa Spelchen (CREA), Michelle Pfaff (YCC), Fred Edwards, and Joe Davis—each contributing in unique and complementary ways to ensure the program’s overall success.
Creating a Circle of Trust
At the beginning of each residency, Fred and Joe share their own personal traumas and perform original poetry to show how the artform offered them a new path on their healing journeys.
“I lead with vulnerability, sharing my own struggles and healing journey so they know they’re not alone,” said Joe. “I let them know that this space isn’t about perfection—it’s about growth. I tell them: we’re all in process, and healing doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens in community.”
Fred echoed the sentiment, “we build trust through consistency, empathy, and honoring every voice without judgment.”
Unlocking Potential, Gaining Tools
Throughout the week, Fred and Joe teach students to explore their stories and emotions through writing. It’s a foreign concept as Melissa from CREA explains, “Most of the young people have honestly never been asked how they feel, or how something has impacted them, or what they hope to achieve in life.”
While students are introduced to basic poetic techniques, they are not required to follow formal structures. It’s more important for the words to flow freely as they speak them aloud, especially since they will be performing them at the end of the week.
“Spoken word doesn’t require perfect grammar or formal prose—it values truth over technique,” said Fred. “It allows youth to express themselves authentically, in their own voice, without correction.” He tells the students, “No one can change your story when it’s spoken from the heart.”
Joe added, “We teach them: what happened to you may not have been your fault, but your future is your responsibility. That’s what we call narrative justice—if you don’t own your story, someone else will, and they might get it wrong. As the youth themselves said: ‘The past is not your potential’ and ‘no one’s potential is locked up.’”
Recurring themes often emerge in juvenile justice poetry. “Many of the youth express pain, longing, and hope in the same breath,” said Fred. “Their words often carry a quiet plea: ‘Don’t define me by my worst day. See me for who I’m becoming.’ ”
Joe observed similar themes, “Their poems often carry the weight of heartbreak, pain, and survival. Many are processing deep grief, abandonment, or the impact of systemic violence. Yet woven through the sorrow is a profound hunger for hope—an aching for belonging, purpose, and the possibility of a future that looks different than their past. They’re not just writing poems—they’re reclaiming their voices and reimagining what’s possible.”
NDCA’s Matthew Anderson emphasized the therapeutic and practical value of creative expression: “The arts allow for emotional exploration and provide tools for coping—many of the youth have said they’ve learned new strategies to use when they feel sad or frustrated. It’s not just catharsis—it’s skill-building. One student said, ‘they got me into writing in a notebook to express.’ That’s the kind of self-regulation that builds resilience.”
Brighter Futures Open Mic
At the end of the week, students typically perform their final poems during a poetry slam called Brighter Futures Open Mic. Before performances begin, participants are treated to a celebratory meal with the program’s leadership team who then evaluate the poems and give feedback to the students.
“The poetry slam is powerful because it creates a space of safety and agency for students to express their inner lives through poetry, story, and voice,” said Anderson (NDCA). “Seeing peers and staff respond with genuine applause and encouragement is transformative.”
Spelchen (CREA) added, “Brighter Futures Open Mics are always so moving—young people sharing their talents and vulnerability in a way that they likely have never done before.”
During the seventh residency, Fred and Joe adjusted the final project for returning students. Instead of preparing for a poetry slam, participants were asked to develop a business plan that they would present to the class at the end of the week.
“We wanted to equip the youth not only with expressive tools but also with practical skills they can use to thrive beyond these walls,” said Joe.
As they worked on the presentations, Joe reflected, “Watching their faces light up as we mapped out business profiles based on their dreams—clothing lines, recovery groups, mentorship programs—was deeply inspiring. They realized their ideas had value."
Fred added “These weren’t just pitches—they were personal roadmaps. Each plan revealed real-life struggles and moments of doubt, but also hope, creativity, and a desire to be seen. Their poetry and presentations reflected tremendous vulnerability and growth.”
A Lasting Impact
YCC staff have seen a noticeable shift in mood and morale since the residencies began. “They see increased student engagement, improved communication, and even reduced behavioral incidents,” said Anderson. “It’s clear that arts programming provides intervention against isolation.”
Pfaff confirmed, “We see youth become more confident in their ideas and are empowered to think about a different path than the one they are on.”
Looking to the future, Spelchen (CREA) said, “The hope is to grow the rolodex of artists so that new mediums can not only be brought into the YCC but to expand the programming throughout the state!”
Anderson added, “We’re exploring ways to integrate real-world skill-building alongside the arts. We’ve also discussed building a ‘train-the-trainer’ model, so more artists can be equipped to do this work, and it can be sustainable long-term.”
The leaders behind North Dakota’s Arts in Juvenile Justice program remain deeply committed. “All it takes is for one caring adult to make an impact,” said Pfaff.
“We must continue to believe in them—even when they don’t yet believe in themselves,” said Joe, “and offer not just encouragement but the resources, skills, and community support to bridge the gap from surviving to thriving.”
Fred concluded, “Many of these students just need the opportunity. They are brilliant, thoughtful, and full of potential. When given space and support, they don’t just survive—they rise.”
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Supporting Research
Incorporating the arts into the juvenile justice system has been shown to yield positive outcomes. A 2020 study by Americans for the Arts in 2020 revealed that “youth involved in arts programs in juvenile justice settings showed 25 to 39 percent improvement in social skills such as conflict resolution and career readiness.” Similarly, Rodarte, J. & Pavlo, A. in 2022 reported that “creative and expressive arts practices help youth in problem-solving courts process trauma, regulate emotions, and envision possible future selves, which can reduce recidivism and improve well-being.”
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The artist residencies at the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center are managed by the Central Regional Education Association, with funding provided equally from North Dakota Council on the Arts and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Fred Edwards Jr.
Fred, a visionary Creative Director and Curriculum Cultivator, is dedicated to sculpting inclusive communities with an artistic touch. As a spoken word teaching artist, he wields the subtle power of poetry, illuminating Midwest schools with its magic. He is the driving force behind groundbreaking initiatives like Umoja and Fred's Dissonancethat have spearheaded transformative programs fostering narrative justice and community empowerment.
Umoja, a 16-week leadership endeavor in the Fargo-Moorhead area, stands as a testament to Fred’s commitment, redirecting youth towards meaningful careers while addressing societal gaps through writing, leadership, and cultural awareness. Fred’s Dissonance, a multi-generational initiative, serves as a benchmark for positive community development, championing narrative justice and cultural empowerment, reshaping educational paradigms with culturally relevant curricula.
With two compelling Tedx talks, Fred has achieved global recognition as an artist, educator, and community leader. His influence transcends borders and boundaries, earning him the prestigious PBS ALL-Star Teacher of the Year award in 2022 and the ND Main Street Healthy Vibrant Community award.
Fred's passion extends to his powerful speeches to college, high school, and middle school students, where he shares stories of resilience and inspiration. His own existence defied the odds, as his mother had a mere 0.0001% chance of becoming pregnant after her last child. Fred was that remarkable 0.0001%, a living testament to the extraordinary.
Connect with Fred Edwards Jr. through socials @FrederickEdwardsJrSpeaks or the Umoja website.
Joe Davis
Joe Davis is an award-winning spoken word artist and bestselling author who uses poetry to power possibility. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology of the Arts, heads a multimedia production company, a soul funk band, and a racial justice education program. Joe has authored plays and poetry collections and has shared his story across the country. His books have reached over 20,000 readers. Joe’s work has been featured on BET, CNN, and VH1.
Joe wrote, “Poetry quite literally saved my life. That’s why I’ve dedicated my career as a teaching artist, speaker, and creativity coach to help others tap into their own healing potential through the arts. Over the past decade, I’ve toured nationally using spoken word, music, theater, and dance to activate joy and transformation. I created Finding Your Freedom Practice: a wellness ecosystem and community of artists and freedom workers who use creativity as a catalyst for communal healing and collective liberation.”
If you want to support, collaborate, book a residency, or learn more, visit JoeDavisPoetry.com or connect with him on social media @JoeDavisPoetry.