I've experienced a somewhat similar thing here in Norway. I used to work for a travel agency, and among other social activities connected to the company, we had a volleyball team.
At one point, we were invited to play a "friendship match" against the inmates of Ullersmo Prison, one of the biggest in Norway. We accepted the invitation, thinking we'd play against women. Imagine the shock when we met their team:10 hardened (MALE!)criminals convicted of murder, rape, incest and various versions of robbery!
Well, we had accepted the invitation, and didn't feel like turning back, so we played volleyball for a couple of hours, having a great time!
This was such a success, that we went on doing this every month for about a year. Then, as Christmas approached, we were invited to their Christmas show. Thinking we should contribute something to the show, we put together a song-and-dance act that we performed in their break.
Now, we didn't really know what to expect, showing up ther in tail-coats, fishnet stocking and top hats, but the response was overwhelming. I have played gigs, school concerts and participated in a lot of other perforances, but I've never received such ovations as on that evening! Not that we were all that good, but apparently the fact that we had the guts to show up there in this "attire" touched them.
The next day, when we arrived at work, we were met by a huge bunch of roses, with a thank-you note from the inmates, and a couple of days later, there was a thank-you note from the inmates printed in three of our major newspapers! They expressed such gratitude for what we had done for them, that I actually felt ashamed.
It made me think about how incredibly dull and uneventful their lives mut be compared to mine. Not that they haven't asked for it, I mean, murder and rape isn't something that should go unpunished! But, I don't think we can even begin to imagine how it must feel to locked up, to lose our freedom. We might grumble that prisoners are too demanding in wanting TV sets, radios and all kinds of thing to lighten up their days, but still, being deprived of freedom must be horrible. The fact that a rather mediocre dance-act was appreciated the way it was, kind of says it all.

Love Magpie