I am a prisoner at a medium security prison in Victoria. I’ve decided to write about my experiences of learning an instrument while incarcerated. My motivation is to share my experience with other prisoners and hopefully inspire them. I also hope that Corrections may view it and give some more thought towards the importance of music and of music programs for prisoners.

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We have three significant programs related to music here at the prison: a weekly jam session, an acoustic guitar-borrowing program and the prison radio program.

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The weekly jam session incorporates a drum kit, guitars, bass guitars, a keyboard and various amps and other equipment. The guitar program is run by the recreation staff and involves us being able to borrow an acoustic guitar to have in our cell. It is assisted by rec staff who print out chord charts and songs to learn. The prison radio program is run by a teacher from TAFE. It is not exclusively music-related but many of us that are involved incorporate music into our radio shows in some way.

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Prisoners can access music via the prison radio station in their cell, local radio stations and also by purchasing CDs via special spends.

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I have played drums for many years but it was always a dream of mine to learn the guitar. Since being here  I’ve learnt to play guitar and write my own songs. The mental health benefits of this for me have been immense, particularly as for a few months of this time we were in COVID lockdown. I was able to study guitar tablature and chord charts and slowly teach myself to play. This helped alleviate the boredom and other issues I suffered throughout lockdown.

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I have heard learning an instrument opens new pathways in the brain and I can most certainly notice this. It is apparent how important this process is for my mental health and overall wellbeing. It has helped me overcome some of my learning difficulties and helped me improve my self-esteem around that area. This has had a very positive carry on effect on my attitude towards education.

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During my time here we have created a couple of bands comprised of prisoners that were doing reasonably long sentences. I saw huge transformations in our behaviour and overall happiness while we were engaged in the music program. This had a lasting effect throughout each week. Our attitudes towards life in prison improved. Socially it was great, working on ideas throughout the week. It has been a lifeline for us.

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The listening and/or playing and creation of all types of music in prison is of great importance. Music complements the environment. We listen to it in our cells, whilst training in the gym and some of us while participating in the playing or learning of an instrument. There is sometimes the unfortunate perception that certain genres of music contribute to negative emotions or behaviour. This belief, if adopted, makes it very easy to dismiss how important music is to us all and to our mental health. Hip Hop and Heavy Metal are often seen as some kind of threat. It’s loud and sometimes lyrically controversial. Some older officers may not recognise it as music at all. The truth is that for many prisoners, this music is incredibly important, myself included.

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Music brings prisoners together in a positive way. I often end up conversing with others who are into music or learning the guitar; we help each other with music tablature and chord charts. Sometimes these are people I may not have otherwise hve spoken to or found common ground with. I exchange ideas and songs with friends. Rather than relentlessly discussing prison politics, drugs and crime, we find we have something more constructive and meaningful in common.

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I believe these programs can reduce a prisoner’s likelihood of self-harm, drug relapse and violent incidents during a sentence. They provide us with the opportunity to develop new skills that can only go towards positive self-directed rehabilitation and an increased chance of a better, crime-free life upon release.