What is Sidewalk Change?

“Adult Literacy Education: Everyone has a story; most don’t know how to tell it.”

Don’t be an NPC, join the party for change!

Tabletop RPGs change lives—even behind bars. Our new documentary explores how role-playing games provide hope, community, and rehabilitation within the correctional system.

This is more than a film—it’s a mission. Your tax-deductible donation to our 501(c)(3) helps shine a light on the power of storytelling and second chances.

Be part of this important project. Donate here:

Tabletop Roleplaying Games (RPG) can be a lifeline for some inmates, providing a form of social interaction, creativity, and a sense of escape from the harsh realities of prison life, even though playing the game behind bars presents unique challenges. Our goal is to tell their stories through the RPG community.

  • Challenges

    Contraband: Dice are often considered contraband, as they can be used for gambling, so inmates often create their own spinners or use other improvised methods for rolling.

    Limited Resources: RPG books, maps, and other materials can be expensive and difficult to obtain, and some prisons outright ban them.

    Censorship: Mailroom censors can scrutinize materials sent to inmates, potentially confiscating or rejecting RPG-related items.

    Improvised Solutions: Inmates often creatively improvise solutions to overcome these restrictions, such as drawing their own maps or crafting spinners from paper and typewriter parts.

  • Benefits

    Social Interaction: RPG can foster friendships and a sense of community, which can be particularly important in the isolating environment of prison.

    Creativity and Escape: The game provides an outlet for creativity and allows inmates to escape the monotony and harshness of prison life.

    Therapeutic Value: RPG can serve as a form of therapy, allowing inmates to explore their emotions and experiences through their characters and the game's narratives.

    Lifelong Learning: Some inmates have reported that RPG has helped them develop life skills, anger management, and drug counseling skills.

  • Controversies

    Some prisons have banned RPG or role-playing games altogether, citing concerns about gang activity or the potential for disruptive behavior.

    In some cases, RPG has been used as a tool for rehabilitation and therapy, while in others, it has been seen as a form of escapism that could hinder inmates' progress.

  • Examples

    In Texas, some inmates on death row have used RPG as a way to cope with their isolation and the weight of their sentences.

    One former inmate, Micah Davis, described how he and other inmates had their own table in the dayroom and played RPG regularly.

    Some inmates have even created intricate maps, character sheets, and campaign notes, showcasing their creativity and dedication to the game.

What is Sidewalk Change?

Overview Established in 2021, The Sidewalk Project Corporation (Sidewalk Change Project) is a Florida based program actively pursuing every opportunity to promote and empower adult education- one story at a time. 

Our Mission The mission of Sidewalk Project Corporation (Sidewalk Change Project) is to provide innovative solutions for adults who want to improve their literacy skills.

Our Vision The Sidewalk Project Corporation (Sidewalk Change Project)’s vision is an educated community of lifelong learners that is well-prepared to meet the challenges of the economy and society. Without the ability to effectively use the written and digital information in the world around them, individuals are unable to help themselves, their families, their friends and their colleagues. We believe that the ability to read is an essential element of an enriched and fulfilling life.

Our Values We are a community of neighbors helping neighbors by sharing our abilities, knowledge, and expertise to build stronger communities. Through reciprocity, the practice of giving and receiving, we recognize the value of each member and their individual contributions to the community.