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Children's Prison Arts Project (CPAP) is a non-profit arts education organization whose mission is to expose at-risk youth in correctional facilities and shelters to an innovative educational theater and visual arts forum where they can express their thoughts and visions in a constructive way. Founded by neighborhood artist Birgit Walker, CPAP was established and granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the fall of 1993. The organization grew out of the great need to provide new educational approaches to an increasing number of juvenile offenders in the Harris County area. CPAP's year-round program started in January of 1994 at the West Dallas Juvenile Detention Center and expanded to serve youth in several other facilities such as the Burnett-Bayland Home and the Tejas Home for Youth. In the last 13 years, CPAP's programs have served more than 20,000 juveniles and their families. The three primary artists, Birgit Walker, Jean Donatto, and Diana Muñiz, collectively have over 40 years teaching experience in the performing and visual arts. Ms. Walker has introduced educational theater to at-risk youth in the shantytowns of Brazil and in the ghettos of Pittsburgh, Boston, New York, Harlem, and Houston. Ms. Donatto has taught theater in the penal system in California and works with Young Audiences of Houston and the Texas Institute for the Arts in Education.