News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:June 30, 2023

Department of Correction Welcomes the Twinning Project to Rikers Island

Unique program teaches soccer to people in custody for their physical and mental health

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC), the Twinning Project, and City in the Community (CITC), the nonprofit proudly supported by New York City Football Club (NYCFC), announce a landmark partnership that offers soccer classes and personal development programming to people in custody on Rikers Island. NYCFC has agreed to be the first US professional soccer club to engage with the Twinning Project to partner with DOC.

“We are excited to partner with the Twinning Project to bring their innovative program to Rikers Island. We know this exciting partnership will be immensely beneficial to the physical and mental health of people in our custody,” said DOC Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “Positive programs like this make our jails safer, reduce recidivism, and keep people in custody tied to the communities that they will eventually rejoin.”

The Twinning Project is a unique, educational, and upskilling project designed to create safer communities, reduce recidivism, and change the lives of those incarcerated through the power of soccer.

Participants gain transferable and social skills which improve their lives and make them more attractive to employers upon release. The program also improves their mental health, physical health, and all-around well-being. By increasing their chances of finding legitimate, paid employment, the Twinning Project increases the likelihood that detainees avoid re-offending and returning to incarceration.

Originally based in the United Kingdom, the Twinning Project is the first-of-its-kind in the United States. This collaboration between DOC, HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) and NYCFC will provide soccer lessons, mental health services, personal development programming, employment opportunities post-release, and more. Through the initiative, City in the Community will work with DOC to deliver coaching and lifestyle skills with the goal of increasing activity among people in custody, improving their physical and emotional health, and reducing violence.

City in the Community is a nonprofit foundation supported by NYCFC, New York City’s hometown professional soccer team in Major League Soccer (MLS). Since 2014, CITC has served over 30,000 New York youth, established free programming in 78% of communities across the five boroughs, created 60 free spaces to play, and helped donate 250,000 meals to the South Bronx community through an ongoing partnership with New York Common Pantry. CITC uses the power of soccer to promote health, education and leadership development and create safe community spaces where programming is free of charge.

“Since its launch, the Twinning Project has helped to use football as a force for good that will deliver real change for people and communities across the UK,” said David Dein, Founder of the Twinning Project. “We are delighted to be able to start to address the huge interest we have had from international clubs and prisons starting with this very important trial in the United States.”

“The impact of soccer’s power to change lives, reduce reoffending and create safer communities has never been in doubt,” said Hilton Freund, Chief Executive of The Twinning project. “Having proven this in the UK over the last five years, The Twinning Project is excited to be working with NYCFC and New York City Department of Correction in order to replicate in the USA the positive outcomes being seen in the UK.”

“For over ten years, we’ve used the sport we love to create safe spaces for local communities throughout the entire city while providing critical programming to create a lasting, positive impact for all New Yorkers,” said Paul Jeffries, Executive Director of City in the Community. “The Twinning Project’s goal aligns perfectly with our mission here at New York City Football Club’s foundation to empower better lives through soccer, and it is our hope that together we can create opportunities for detainees to positively re-connect with their communities.”

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The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.