Music and prisoner rehabilitation

[Alicja]

Hello,



Our topic for next week is music and prisoner rehabilitation (have you heard about artists performing in prisons? etc.). I’d like you to read an article/ watch a video concerning this topic and post a short comment concerning what you’ve read or seen (what was it about? was it interesting? did it meet your expectations? would you recommend it? etc.) along with 3-4 words/ expressions from the text.

See you on Monday!

[Célia Hérou]

"Good Vibration"
imaginationforpeople.org/en/project/good-vibrations/

This article talk about a UK registered charity called “Good Vibrations”. This registered charity helps prisoners for their own rehabilitation with a particular music called “Gamelan”: this is an Indonesian bronze percussion. Through the music, prisoners learn to develop crucial life and work skills. Indeed, studies show that creative activities provide a vital bridge to learning more conventional skills, thing important for the rehabilitation.

This article was very interesting because it show how music can help inmates for their future life outside prison, thing that I ignored before. I think it would be great if all prisoners could have the opportunity to take part of those music courses because it seems to be very profitable for people who have the chance to do that. Moreover, I guess that it’s a good idea to use unconventional music without word because traditional music with speech has sometimes a hidden meaning which could be bad interpreted. This Gamelan music can’t create misunderstanding or debates which could engender anger and aggressiveness.

Vocabulary:
Inmate: one of the people living in an institution such as a prison or a psychiatric hospital
Workshop: a room or building in which things are made or repaired using tools or machinery
Encompass: to include a large number or range of things
Self-esteem: a feeling of being happy with your own character and abilities
Cognitive: connected with mental processes of understanding

[Santiago Fernández]

Jail Guitar Doors

(http://www.jailguitardoors.org.uk/)
(http://www.theguardian.com/society/2008/dec/10/prisons-probation-billy-bragg)

I've read an article about an independent initiative which aims to provide instruments to those who are using music as a means of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates and how playing guitar and writing songs can help an individual to process problems in a non-confrontational way.

It's interesting because I agree with the idea that the music can help everyone, is very nutritious for the soul and helps to be better persons.

I recommend the article because shows the effort of many people for the rehabilitation of prison inmates and shows to this persons in jail that they are not alone, outside exist many worried people in the matter.


Vocabulary:
cupboard: a piece of furniture with doors and shelves used for storing dishes, food, clothes, etc.
a space in a wall with a door that reaches the ground, used for storing things.
(BRITISH) a very small room with no windows used for storing things. The American word is closet.

counsellor : a person who has been trained to advise people with problems, especially personal problems.
someone whose job is to give advice and help to people with problems.

grasp: to take and hold something or someone very tightly.
to understand something completely.
to take advantage of an opportunity when it happens.

overcrowded: (of a place) with too many people or things in it.

struggle : to try very hard to do something when it is difficult or when there are a lot of problems.
to move somewhere or do something with difficulty.
to fight against somebody/something in order to prevent a bad situation or result.
to fight somebody or try to get away from them.
to compete or argue with somebody, especially in order to get something.

[Matthieu]

Arts in prison: why cut our chance to create crime-free futures?
(http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/nov/25/arts-rehab-crime-criminal-justice)

I read an article dealing with art projects in prison. It explains how it's difficult to set up such projects in the UK whereas reports show that's it's a good way to face recidivism and encourage rehabilitation. I found this article interesting because it deals with a topical issue : overcrowding in prisons and rehabilitation. More over, the article is based on relevant quotes of people who where involved in music projects in prison. It helps to understand the benefits of such projects.

custody : the state of being in prison, especially while waiting for trial
those holding the purse-strings : a way of referring to money and how it is controlled or spent
to keep thriving : continuing to be successful, strong, healthy, etc.

[Hugo LUCAS]

www.sagepub.com/hanserintro/study/materials/reference/ref16.2.pdf

This article comes from Encyclopedia of Prisons and Correctional Facilities. This text talks about the benefit of music in prison. The first part explain music program exists since 1900s and it can be offered in every prison whichever the level of security. Music can able to recapture the pride of the prisoner. It also can relearn the sense of responsability and to be proud of his work. In conclusion, music program is a goob rehabilitation method, but it is not accessible for every prisoners, only for a "good" prisoner and the nature of his crime.


Vocabulary :

advocate : to support something publicly.

rash : a series of unpleasant things that happen over a short period of time.

inmate : one of the people living in an institution such as a prison or a psychiatric hospital.

[Dario Rosell]

Arts in prison: why cut our chance to create crime-free futures?

www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/nov/25/arts-rehab-crime-criminal-justice

I chose an article posted by "the guardian" which was published in November 2013, is written by Tim Robertson, chair of the Arts Alliance, a network representing more than 470 members working with roughly 40,000 offenders in the American criminal justice system each year. He explains that arts bodies with expertise in criminal justice are facing closure in the US and the risk the irretrievable loss of years of accumulated professional experience in this area. He also complains about the mistakes made in the statistical data and the differences with his own report, improve communications skills and developing a positive sense of self are the principal benefits of this kind of rehabilitation.
I liked the article, since I also believe that art can change a person and we must give the importance it deserves. I recommend the article because it is a review of an organization with many years in this area and I also recommend finding a contrary opinion in this discussion.

Vocabulary:
Purse strings: a way of referring to money and how it is controlled or spent
Selfhood: the quality that gives a person or thing an individual identity and makes them different from others

[Fabien Virot]

These California Maximum-Security Prisoners Are Making an Album:
www.motherjones.com/media/2015/02/new-folsom-prison-music-project-zoe-boekbinder-ani-difranco

This article is about a musical project in a prison. It is a collaboration between prisonners and artist, the inmates are recording an album with there text.
The New Folsom's prison is near he lockup where Cash recorded Live at Folsom Prison back in January 1968.
I think this article is a good example of rehabilitation programms in prison, because it helps inmates to speak about what they have done and how they feel.

Vocabulary:
-inmate:noun
one of the people living in an institution such as a prison or a psychiatric hospital
-brainchild: noun
an idea or invention of one person or a small group of people
-assault: noun
the crime of attacking somebody physically
.Both men were charged with assault.
.sexual assaults

[Guillaume]

'They brought us in some peace'
www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/jul/04/filmandmusic1.filmandmusic

This article is about the reaction of prisoners when artists come to play in prison. It shows that music can bring peace to the prisnners and that it can bring them back a piece of humanity. This article was interresting because it shows that music in prison can help the prisoners and because it denounce the artists who came in prison just to make some cynical publicity.

Vocabulary:
- stab: to push a sharp, pointed object, especially a knife, into somebody, killing or injuring them
- scald: to burn yourself or part of your body with very hot liquid or steam
- gravelly: (of a voice) deep and with a rough sound

[Caroline Dubois]

Prisoner rehabilitation: Private firms begin new scheme (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31076155)

This article talks about a scheme to rehabilitate prisoners. The companies will be paid if criminals don’t make mistakes again. However, this new system is considerate like a disaster. In fact, many criminals are often recidivists too. This has happened perhaps because they are not support enough. The chief executive of the charity Howard League for Penal Reform underline that this scheme was not based on good considerations.
We can recommend this article because it is recent (1 february 2015), with many examples but there is not a direct link with music. But, I found this article very interesting because there are explanations to find a way to help prisoners.

Vocabulary:
Scheme:
• a plan or system for doing or organizing
• a plan for getting money or some other advantage for yourself, especially one that involves cheating other people
To curb something: to control or limit something, especially something bad
To reoffend: to commit a crime again
Inmate: one of the people living in an institution such as a prison or a psychiatric hospital

[Charlotte Voisard]

Music Programs in Prisons (http://www.sagepub.com/hanserintro/study/materials/reference/ref16.2.pdf)

This article talks about a music program. This programm is a part of rehabilitation process. Prisoners can play music with the others. They create a band with different people, different culture. It increases respect and tolerance between prisoners. Music allows them to be proud of them even if they are criminal. This therapy reduces recidivism.


This therapy shows us music can help everybody to change without drugs. I think that the development of art open prisonners mind and they will be more "positive" in their future life.

Vocabulary :
"Cannon was empowered" = Cannon was allowed
"inmates" = like prisoner, one of the people living in an institution such as a prison or a psychiatric hospital

[Laura Noël]

Changing Tunes : www.changingtunes.org.uk/about-us/overview/

This article is about a charity named "Changing Tunes" which allows prisoners and ex-prisoners to learn to play music, to record music, to listen to music and to perform. Through this, it help them to gain confidence, to interact with other people making strong relationships by playing music together, to improve their self-esteem, etc. All these skills are a hudge part of the rehabilitation process.
This article also deals with the results of this method. Indeed, it has got significants consequences in prisoners rehabilitaion since less than 15 percent of people who participate in this programme have re-offended, compared to a national average of 61 percent.
This article is really interesting since it highlights all the advantages and positive consequences in making art (here music) in jail. It shows that art can significantly help people because it helps them to show what they can create, to evacuate some feelings and to communicate.

Vocabulary :
"perseverance brings rewards" = work always pays
" band rehearsals " = music training of the groups
"post-release" = the period after jail

[Floriane Houillon]

California State Prison-Solano inmates bands make music for rehabilitation :http://www.insidecdcr.ca.gov/2014/07/california-state-prison-solano-inmates-bands-make-music-for-rehabilitation-photo-gallery/

This article presents the musicians of Music Innovators, a self-help group formed by inmates of tCalifornia State Prison-Solano. 75 members weekly gather in order to rehearsal. The organization is tight and the equipment, provided by community members is tuned and cherish. This association is a real opportunity for inmates : it allows them to change their lives through every kind of music.

I found this article very touching because music gives those inmates something precious : a new way of seeing their life. Thanks to music, they are part of a healthy group and they are enjoying doing something together.

a strain : a force
self-help : the use of one’s own efforts and resources to achieve things without relying on others

[Rim]

www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/nov/25/arts-rehab-crime-criminal-justice
Arts in prison: why cut our chance to create crime-free futures?
This article is about how music can prevent criminal activity by helping prisoners move away from crime. Therefore, it insists on the fact that it’s really important that networks (such as the the arts alliance) need to be protected from spending cuts.
I would recommend this article because I think it’s really well written. Also, felt like I’ve learned something worthwhile while I was reading it.
Vocabulary :
Fluffy : adj (fluffier, fluffiest)
1. of, resembling, or covered with fluff
2. soft and light
irretrievable : that cannot be recovered or retrieved.

[Lauranne Spiers]

www.politics.co.uk/reference/prison-rehabilitation
I read an article explaining the rehabilitation of prisoners. It show that we now focus on preventing reoffending. Prisons can adapt to people, and for example give treatments to drug-addicted prisoners. We learn in this article that thousand prisoners are release every year without anywhere to live. In December 2010, Justice secretary of UK took care of that, publishing a document. Thus, it now exist caution for offenders. This article is very interesting because it give true examples and solutions brings by politics.
prison overcrowding : the fact that there is to many people in prison.