Music in Prisons Paper
This paper discusses the benefits that music programs have on the wellness of prisoners.
These programs give inmates a chance to show persistence, creativity and flexibility. These are all values that are consistent with stability for inside and outside of prison. Innovative thinking is required to lower the prison population and enable prisoners to gain valuable tools and confidence to help them to stop reoffending. Life in prison can be extremely hard but it is important to be reminded that prisoners are still human and rehabilitation and reformation is still possible for those behind bars.
We want to propose a simple app on an appropriate and approved device with a headset and microphone, and managed access to the internet, is all that is needed to put a meaningful music program into prisons. Inmates would be able to sing, create beats, learn certain instruments and compose songs. Given the immense need for inmate rehabilitation, more prisons should focus on creative programs with positive impacts on inmates. Correctional Facilities state that programs in Arts improved emotional literacy, understanding of self capacity to express emotion, increase empathy and support a reduction of impulsive behaviours.
Find the link to the Music in Prisons paper here:
Music in Prisons: A Preliminary Report (Griffiths University)
Dr Alexis Kallio from Griffiths University has permitted us to share a paper they wrote with Alexandra Gorton on the impacts music programs can have on individuals. Below is an extract from the papers introduction:
Education systems, healthcare services,
workplaces, religious leaders, community groups and others
have harnessed the power of music to inspire and enact
change: empowering individuals and working together
towards the ideals of equity and justice in a variety of settings.
These transformative potentials have seen music education in
criminal and youth justice systems since the mid-19th
Century. However, more recently as justice systems around
the world seek to promote human-rights centred and
strengths-based approaches, music-making programs are
emerging as powerful tools to support the wellbeing and
rehabilitation of incarcerated adults and young people.
This preliminary report outlines the importance of music for
individuals and communities in criminal and youth justice
settings and presents some innovative programs that have
been implemented around the world.Gr
Find the link to the paper written by Alexis Kallio and Alexandra Gorton here:
Music in Prisons: A Preliminary Report
