MANSFIELD — The squeak of tennis shoes, a ball slapping against the gym floor and cheers for points scored made up the background noise to Tuesday night’s volleyball game.
It was what you would hear in any other gym. The only difference was the game featured Ohio Social Sports’ “Chewblockas” team playing people incarcerated at Richland Correctional Institution.
Ohio Social Sports founder Gui Alves connected with RICI’s general activity therapist DeShon Hilliard through playing pickleball at Sterkel Park.
Hilliard said community collaboration and reintegration programs have been a focus statewide through Ohio’s Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
“We’re promoting normalcy and community collaboration, this volleyball game is a perfect example of that,” he said.
Ohio Social Sports players went through a background check, filled out paperwork and went through security before entering the compound. The men incarcerated also went through a security check and warmed up together in the gym.
Sports leagues are open to all people incarcerated at RICI. Teams are developed based on skill levels and behavior.
“This game is a privilege,” Hilliard said. “All the men here tonight have to be on good behavior and play by the rules. We want to make sure they’re representing role model behavior and representing the compound well.”
Alves warned the Chewblockas that RICI’s team might be better than them. RICI’s team won the first game and the athletes played with mixed teams the rest of the night.
RICI individuals have options for multiple sports leagues in compound
RICI has a volleyball league of about seven teams, as well as leagues for basketball, softball and pickleball.
“Our activity therapist runs the leagues,” said Keisha Allen, RICI’s deputy warden of special services. “Volleyball I believe practices every Tuesday. I’ve seen them play before — they’re pretty good.”
Hilliard said Ohio Social Sports is one of the first organizations to visit RICI post-COVID. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes has also attended programs. He also noted people who want to volunteer for RICI programs don’t have to be part of an organization.
“Obviously, you have to go through our background check and meet our security protocols,” Hilliard said. “But we welcome anyone who wants to give back.”
Ohio Social Sports to continue RICI visits for future leagues
Josh Goldberg, a “Chewblocka” team member, was previously at RICI to play one of the institution’s softball teams.
“A group of around eight of us from Ohio Social Sports came out that day and played on their fields,” Goldberg said. “The inmates take care of the fields themselves and they keep them in great condition.
“That was a lot of fun, so I’ve been excited to come back for volleyball.”
Goldberg was the only team member from his current squad that had previously visited RICI.
“It’s awesome that the Correctional Intuition let us come out,” he said. “It’s fun to have kind of a cheering section and everyone’s been well-mannered. It’s a great atmosphere — I know I’m grateful for the experience.”
Katie Mullins, Goldberg’s girlfriend and a Chewblockas team member, said Tuesday’s game felt similar to any other game played in the social sports league.
“It’s just instead of playing at the Salvation Army, we came here,” she said. “Everyone’s been really respectful. It’s been something new, but a lot of fun.”
Alves said he wants to bring other sports teams to the correctional institution as the league starts different seasons.
“It was always in the back of my mind as something that would be good to get involved in,” Alves said. “DeShon’s been very helpful in lining it up.
“The volunteer forms we all filled out are good for a year after your first visit, so it should be easier as we keep going.”
