How Pickleball is Transforming Lives Behind Bars

It’s a chilly Friday morning in late November, and Joseph “Joey” Losgar, alongside seven other men clad in gray prison-issued attire, busily sets up pickleball nets in a brightly lit gym. Their sneakers squeak against the polished wood floor as they arrange makeshift courts using portable nets. On the wall, a hand-painted mural features a lively pickleball doubles match against the backdrop of a setting sun, framed by the word “EAGLES” painted in large teal letters. Each letter symbolizes key virtues: Effort, Attitude, Gratitude, Learning, Enjoyment, and Sportsmanship.

At first glance, the gym could be mistaken for one in a typical American high school. Yet, the frequent loudspeaker alerts, uniformed guards stationed nearby, and the gym’s divided layout quickly reveal its true identity—this is MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, a high-security prison in Connecticut, home to over 2,000 inmates. Here, pickleball offers a rare reprieve from the monotony of prison life, providing participants with a chance to escape, if only momentarily, from their confined reality.

The men setting up the equipment move with purpose, aware of the strict rules governing their space. Equipment like paddles and balls must never leave the gym, and even a misplaced paddle can lead to a lockdown scare. Despite these constraints, the gym buzzes with an energy uncommon in such an environment. For inmates like Losgar, serving an eight-year sentence, pickleball has become a source of joy and a means of emotional survival.

“Adjusting to life here is incredibly difficult,” Losgar confides, seated in a modest office adjacent to the gym. “At first, I didn’t think I’d ever smile or laugh again in a place like this. But pickleball changed that. It gives us something to look forward to. For that hour we’re playing, we forget where we are. It’s a lifeline, bringing out the best in people.”

The introduction of pickleball at MacDougall-Walker began in 2023, spearheaded by the Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League (PICL). What started as a small initiative has grown into a robust program. Tournaments are held every Thursday night, complemented by open-gym sessions and weekly clinics led by volunteers. The program’s popularity has surged, expanding to every correctional facility in Connecticut and over 40 institutions nationwide across 12 states.

For inmates, the sport is more than just a pastime—it’s a symbol of hope. In a place often defined by rigid routines and limited freedoms, pickleball fosters camaraderie and provides a mental escape. Participants describe the game as a rare opportunity to reconnect with their humanity, offering moments of laughter, teamwork, and personal growth.

The program’s success owes much to the vision of individuals like Sarah Gersten, who was inspired by a 2022 article about a man teaching pickleball in a Chicago jail. Recognizing the sport’s potential to thrive in such environments, she became a driving force behind its expansion. Today, pickleball has transcended its recreational roots, becoming a beacon of positive change for incarcerated individuals across the country.

For those who participate, pickleball is more than just a game—it’s a reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, there is room for connection, joy, and transformation.