RUMIEH: Youssef, a convicted killer serving a life sentence at the notorious Rumieh prison outside Beirut, is rehearsing behind bars for his role in the play "Twelve Angry Lebanese."

"In fact we are 20 angry men. Or five to six million angry Lebanese - or maybe even 350 million angry Arabs," Youssef, whose original death sentence was commuted, said sarcastically during one rehearsal.

The production, funded mainly by the European Union, is part of a pioneering project to help inmates express themselves and communicate with others through drama therapy.

Rumieh, eight kilometers  northeast of Beirut, is Lebanon's largest jail and was the scene of a mutiny last April in which seven guards were held hostage before a protest about poor conditions ended peacefully.

Rehearsals for the play, which opens on February 7, are being taken very seriously by cast and crew alike.

"Drama therapy is used in many Western countries, and now it's being adopted in a prison for the first time in Lebanon and the entire Middle East," the play's director Zeina Dakash said.

Puffing cigarettes, walking freely among the prisoners and speaking in a firm tone, Dakash is from "the outer world" as far as the inmates are concerned.

But she has worked with 45 prisoners for a year to bring to fruition an idea she has believed in for a long time.

"In the beginning I used to come to the prison three times a week, and then five times. Now I come every day," said the drama therapy teacher and actress.

Dakash plans to keep visiting Rumieh prison for a month after the play ends because she says it is important for the therapy - the use of theatre techniques to improve personal growth and health.

The initiative is supported by Lebanon's Association for Defense of Rights and Freedoms or Adl, which means justice in Arabic. It is partly funded by the Lebanese Center for Drama Therapy, or Catharsis, and also has government help.

The building where rehearsals are staged is supposed to take up to 400 prisoners but currently houses around 1,000 inmates - which is not the only reason behind their "anger."

The play is adopted from "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose, an American film and TV writer known for his work in the early years of television drama. Rose's play depicts a jury forced to reconsider its nearly unanimous death sentence decision by a single dissenter who sows the seed of reasonable doubt.

"The play is about the death sentence and that concerns us as prisoners," said Hussein, 39, who is serving a five-year term for drug trafficking.

Hussein, who used to work in the media, dances, plays the guitar and sings songs by a fellow prisoner called Al-Muhajer - "the immigrant" in Arabic.

"I have found a way to kill boredom and deal with this unjust life" through the play, said Al-Muhajer.

Monologues prepared by the prisoners criticize social misconceptions, stereotypes and even sections of Lebanon's penal code.

"Since I was jailed 17 years ago, I've tried not to be broken by prison. I've done all kinds of activities and worked hard at it, but despite everything I have often felt driven to despair," Youssef said. "I used to spend most of the time in my cell. But Dakash helped me express myself. This play means a lot to me, and I have hopes to be free one day. I'm no longer afraid to say what I think."

The eight performances of "Twelve Angry Lebanese" are open to all, but members of the public wanting to attend have had to confirm their attendance 14 days in advance for security reasons. Visitors on the night will be subject to extra security procedures, and that goes for inmates wanting to see the play as well.

"It's still a prison. Moving inmates from one building to another is a security risk that requires additional measures," said the prison warder responsible for the theatre. "Prisoners have difficulties in dealing with outside world. Problems happen for the silliest of reasons."

The warder said that being part of the play has changed many of the inmates - a fact they acknowledge themselves.

"I was obsessed by money and maybe I was ready to commit a terrorist act for money," said Abu Abdu, 32, who is serving time for robbery and trafficking. "But in this project I sensed a democratic approach. This year has gone by so quickly, and I have gained courage and responsibility."

Joseph, 28, said he felt the play made him feel like a real person again.

"I'm a drug addict and drug addicts always want to oppress their feelings," he added. "I seek through the play to change the way people view prisoners. People should know that prisoners need love and care. This work makes me feel we are humans."

Ref: Agence France Press