Pat Clough knew the writing was solid. She wanted to take the class to the next level, having her students deliver their essays and poems to an audience. That meant she would have to get them out of prison.

On Tuesday morning, eight inmates from the Women's Community Correctional Center in Kailua had their public premiere of "Prison Monologues" at La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls. Two of the medium-security inmates came in shackles. One of the adult corrections officers participated, barking out commands from the back of the gym to create the proper mood. She barked so loud, some in the audience jumped. At times, the crowd was so quiet you could hear people sniffling away tears. At the end, there were two standing ovations.

"I am a prisoner at WCCC. I am a woman who broke the law," Cynthia Williams told the audience. "I am the only one who can do my time."

Royce Dalmage read from her poem:

"Rain, moon, stars, sun

Let them out, one by one

Wrote my pain down on a page

Tears and fears in twisted rage"

Clough and 'Ilima Stern began teaching the prison creative writing program almost five years ago. Twice a week for two hours a class, they challenge the inmates to write with raw honesty, to go past cliches and to use proper punctuation while they're at it. They have published four collections of works under the title "Hulihia," a Hawaiian word meaning "transformation." The inmates say the class is about writing, but it is also about self-worth.

"I sit here on my rock-hard bed and read the words of hope, love and fear scratched into its post by previous tenants. It's a good thing I can live in my mind and not in this place," Xavia Ellisor told the audience.

The effect on the student body was more about compassion and understanding than being "scared straight." The inmates emphasized the sometimes-dire consequences of even a "little" bad choice. Afterward, some of the La Pietra students lingered behind to get their copies of "Hulihia IV" signed by the writers.

The "Prison Monologues" is an evolving work. Some new students will join in the next class session, which starts Friday. Williams, a riveting presence on stage, will soon move to serve time at a federal facility. Clough stays in touch with students, encouraging them to keep writing, giving them feedback on their work even when class isn't in session or after they've been transferred.

The group hopes to be invited to perform at other schools.

"Our vision is to transform lives," WCCC Warden Mark Patterson said. "Not just the lives of the women inmates, but lives in the community as well."

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.