Roger BelAir, an Edmonds resident with a background in professional public speaking, began teaching pickleball to inmates at Chicago’s Cook County Jail in 2017 after being inspired by a 60 Minutes segment on the jail’s challenges. Despite initial skepticism from the inmates, the game quickly became a positive outlet, helping reduce stress and fostering communication among prisoners, including those from rival gangs. BelAir’s efforts have since expanded to nearly a dozen prisons nationwide, including Riker’s Island, where pickleball has helped build teamwork, discipline, and life skills among inmates, staff, and officers alike.
Navigating prison bureaucracy and safety concerns, BelAir has successfully integrated pickleball into correctional facilities, with no incidents involving the paddles as weapons. Media coverage has encouraged others in cities like Portland and Los Angeles to consider bringing the sport to their local jails. BelAir emphasizes that the program’s value lies in its ability to improve inmates’ lives and aid their reintegration into society, ultimately benefiting both the individuals and the broader community.
