Unparalleled Experience In Working To Change The Lives Of Those Incarcerated
15 years and numerous events in over 400 of some of the largest, highest security, and worst prisons in the world.
"in 24 years behind bars, this is the best thing I have seen. Deep HEart has changed my life"
-Brad D. Indiana, USA
WORLD PRISON TOUR
We offer a dynamic, therapeutic, and life-changing event to help rehabilitate those incarcerated at no cost to the state or correctional facility.
We perform an educational, inspirational, and transformative show of music, magic, comedy, theater, dance, motivational speaking, and cultural elements from around the world. This creates a dynamic platform that allows us to capture the attention of those incarcerated from all walks of life and help them gain a new perspective on their lives. It is our personal connection through the event that produces an unforgettable, and often, life-changing experience.
For the past 15 years, we have had breakthrough success in touching the lives of tens of thousands of incarcerated individuals in more than 400 prisons across multiple countries.
Deep Heart is a registered 501c3 Public Charity with a Platinum Transparency Rating On Candid Guidestar
We have worked in prisons throughout:
31 States in America · Colombia · England · Spain · Poland · Czech · Romania · Mexico · Brazil · Chile · Peru · Argentina · Uruguay · Paraguay · Ireland · Scotland
Additionally, our magazine and video have reached nearly every state in America and numerous countries around the globe.
Each year we continue to expand our reach. In 2024 our team traveled to and put on 115 events in 9 countries.
Our team has put on numerous events in more than 400 prisons, from minimum to maximum security.
We have published & distributed 70,000 physical copies of our magazine for those who are incarcerated & approx. 1 million have access digitally.
We have distributed over 2,500 DVD videos of our virtual performance directly to prisons & nearly 1 million individuals in prison can access it digitally.
"Ever since you have been here this place hasn't been the same. The show, the sincerity of your group, and the message that you shared with the men have significantly impacted their behavior, and in turn that has helped our correctional officers and administrators as well. And so on behalf of all of us here, I thank you with all my heart."
-Humberto, M. Prison Warden, Brazil
Working With Gangs & Hardcore Individuals
Our event is specifically designed to reach and to help rehabilitate incarcerated individuals who would be considered hardcore, gang members, and others who would not otherwise respond to programs. We use a unique approach of rap, rock, hip-hop, and other top secular music, alongside break dance, card magic, comedy and other elements specifically crafted to appeal to those coming from street-life and those with the "tough guy" image so that we can reach those who are often labeled "unreachable."
Approximately 70% of men who are incarcerated in California have come from foster homes, similar statistics are relevant for many states in the USA and other countries around the world.
ABOUT OUR
EVENT
Frequently Asked Questions:
Duration: 1.5- 2.5 hours
Space Needed: We can adjust to accommodate each facility and the space available. Ideally, we need about 8 meters by 8 meters for our show plus, of course, adequate spacing for the size of the audience.
Equipment: We bring all the equipment necessary. When possible, we ask that the audience has chairs, but of course, in some places/patios, this is not possible.
Cost: We cover all the costs involved and do not charge for the show.
The Event
Our events typically last between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, depending on the time allotment. Using artistic elements of international culture, magic illusions, rap, comedy, music, theater, dance choreography, and more, we capture the attention of the audience and create a platform by which we can bring education, inspiration, and shared life experiences.
It is a restorative, therapeutic, and rehabilitating event intended to stimulate the minds of the audience, activating their thinking process, and leading them on a path that will help them make better choices both in prison and when they are reinserted into society. Our work is inspired by the love of God the Father and the ecumenical words of Jesus. However, we do not represent nor promote any church, religion, or denomination. It is not a religious show. Through our show, we interweave a message of how to deal with trauma, how to fight depression, the need to forgive our enemies, brotherhood, how to repair relationships with family members, mental focus, and personal accountability and transformation. The show is entertaining, helpful, and a positive experience for people from all walks of life, backgrounds, religions, races, and creeds, including those who are non-religious and may not believe in God. We are a public charity and not affiliated with any group, denomination, or religion in any way.
Using a mix of high-quality secular music from multiple genres including rock, trance, chill, rap, pop, classical, and cinematic music, we create a unique environment within the prison area that is uplifting, entertaining, and inspiring. We treat those incarcerated with warmth, respect, and dignity, which disarms them and creates a comfortable and friendly atmosphere when we begin our show.
Because of this unique dynamic, we are able to present to large groups of prisoners at the same time and have done so without any incident whatsoever several hundred events in 400+ prisons, from minimum to maximum security, for tens of thousands of inmates for over 15 years.
“This is not just a show. You should not merely call it a “show” because it is much more than that. What you just did can change someone’s life."
Denise V. Prison Warden| Manilla, Philippines
Unparalleled Experience
In Security & Protocols
We have performed in numerous facilities each with its own unique protocols and security procedures, including visits to inmates on death row and those in solitary confinement. We have also performed in maximum security facilities.
Having worked extensively in all types of penitentiaries we understand the unique details, routines, processes, and procedures within each correctional facility. We are familiar with and comfortable with any situation that may arise during a prison visit.
We have recently undergone rigorous background checks and more volunteer training sessions, and hold extensive credentials in multiple states across the USA and other countries.
We can personally provide both national and international references and contacts of wardens, directors, generals, and colonels in the military, members of the police, heads of security, volunteers, and individuals for the verification of our work if necessary.
"When your group came to our prison, you transformed the entire atmosphere in just one visit. This project brought a much-needed cultural and entertainment program that helped ease tensions at our facility during a time of a lot of conflict and at the same time promoted personal transformation in the lives of the prisoners... ...You will always be very welcome here..."
Col. Marcelo Gayer
Director Of The Central Prison Of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Once considered the largest and worst prison in the region.
Activating The Brain
There are 86 Billion Neurons In Each Of Our Brains
Albert Einstein said: "Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think". Earth's largest supercomputer is the human brain, and every inmate has one. It is possible to think 70,000 or more thoughts a day, with neurons firing faster than the speed of sound, but often the thought process of those in incarcerated remains or can become dormant. Mental atrophy is often the root cause of crime and animal-like behavior.
Through our presentation, we work to activate neurological impulses and stimulate new patterns in the brain. Our goal is to begin a thought process that will continue long after we leave and ripple through their lives. If an incarcerated individual can think, be creative, draw, create, exercise, forgive, forget, and change, he will feel a greater level of self-esteem because he sees himself as an agent of creativity and achievement rather than destruction.
This helps break the cycles of drugs and violence and mental atrophy as they begin to use their intelligence and ability to a greater end.
Using The Science Of Music
Music changes the way the brain works to promote better learning.
Music is scientifically proven to make changes in our brains, improving cognitive functions, creative thoughts, and memories. It is one of the few things on earth that can stimulate almost all areas of the brain simultaneously. Music also fights depression and can offer emotional release.
We use colorful elements and visual graphic cues to increase learning and retention. About 90% of all learning is visual and someone is 60% more likely to remember something if it is tied to a visual cue. So, for this reason, we use music and artistic elements that are visually impactful to communicate at a more effective level.
In over 40 years of experience in more than 55 countries, we have seen that music has the phenomenal ability to transcend cultural differences and connect with hundreds of people at the same time.
Breaking The Paradigm
In many facilities where we were able to work in many sectors of the prison, with large groups of inmates, after our visit, the warden, head of security, or administrator reached out to us and expressed how the entire facility has been affected or changed in some way as a result of our work.
At a notorious facility in a remote region of Brazil, the head of security initially was hesitant due to security concerns as there had been many riots and gang-related violence in his prison in recent months and years. He said, "I don't think you know how bad these guys are." We explained our credentials and experience in many similar environments and he agreed to allow us into one sector. Afterward, he asked us to also perform for each of the 12 sectors of his prison. He texted me after our work over the course of about 2 weeks and said, "You broke the paradigm. This place has not been the same since your work here. Please come back whenever you can."
"
-Experience relayed by Joshua John
Art and culture within prisons have been proven throughout the world as an effective means of rehabilitation and to inspire inmates to choose a better way of life.
We Really Do Care.
If you can inspire someone to engage their intelligence, help them understand that they were created in the image of God, and revive their intellectual capacity, you can help them begin to build a new life; changing their behavior with their families, friends, communities, and also within the prison facility.
We have received thousands of personal emails from inmates sharing how our work deeply impacted their lives and changed the way they think and act.
"A marvelous event where the commitment of each member to the highest standard of excellence was remarkable. The mission of these individuals goes beyond mere social work for the humanization of those on the fringes of society, it is a vocation that transforms lives from the inside out. Every penitentiary needs this work."
Janaína Da Silva
Prison Warden, RS, Brazil 2019
The poorest and most difficult members of the community are often found in prison. Hence, rehabilitating and transforming those incarcerated will inevitably transform our society.
- Report by the United Nations 2017
Statistics show that even one visit to someone incarcerated can reduce recidivism by 60%
In many places, roughly 70% of those incarcerated come from foster homes, abusive families or tragic situations at home. Many do not have family, or their family is estranged or live far away and cannot visit. Many have told us how our visits help them feel human again, like their lives and actions matter. Our personal care can help them feel like they have a family and a love they never before experienced. This can calm tensions and help rehabilitate inmates both in prison and when released.
