How can music reduce reoffending?

Mental Health - The therapeutic effects of music are widely known; for both performer and listener. Music always draws an emotional response, quite often enabling people to express emotions they are otherwise unable to release. This catharsis can play a significant role in the mental health of an individual. It is no coincidence that self-harming greatly reduces, or more usually completely disappears, while people are engaged in our activities.

Relationships & Reconciliation - The strength of relationship built through performing together often results in prisoners talking to us about their concerns. This can often lead to discussions about deeply personal issues such as the stress created on families by imprisonment. Artistic activity like song writing can play an important role in restoring broken relationships. Many of our prisoners have written and sent songs to family members who they were unable to talk or write to, resulting in restored communication and the potential for reconciliation.

overview

why is our work needed?

how can music reduce
re-offending?

the work itself

after release

what people say about us

where we work

All the above benefits are further developed in our post-release work.
You can read more about this on our After Release page.

Personal Development - Prisoners experience long periods of solitude, either through being locked in cells or by not having any true friends and family to spend time with or talk to. As a result, many prisoners become increasingly inward-looking, creating a self-seeking view of life (this is often the only way to survive in prison). Musicians new to our groups usually bring this negative attitude to the sessions by showing an initial disregard for other people in the group: they expect other people to play the music they wish to play and they do not listen, but play in an inherently insensitive way. As they see how we run Changing Tunes sessions, they realise that their music will be far more enjoyable and of a much higher quality if they develop a sensitive musical relationship with others in the group. Invariably they listen better, start to encourage others and generally become more rounded musicians. It is well established that the manner in which people play music is inextricably linked with their personal situation and characteristics. The development we see musically is always filtered through to other areas of their lives.

Willing Participants - Our work combines artistic and educational work resulting in an activity prisoners want to be involved in. Unfortunately, many prisoners take part in ‘education’ because they feel they have to. In contrast, Changing Tunes always has a waiting list of prisoners who want to be involved. Having enthusiastic participants gives us an invaluable head start when working towards the inner changes in attitude and self esteem needed to turn away from crime.

Targets and Self Esteem - Our work also provides prisoners and ex-prisoners with targets to aim for such as concerts and awards that can significantly build self-esteem. In addition to the independent Koestler awards we have awarded 104 Changing Tunes certificates to prisoners and ex-prisoners in the last three years. The award categories are: Involvement, Ensemble/Solo Performance, Composition, Recording, Music Theory, General Instrument Skills and Teaching. These awards allow them to build relationships with our staff and volunteers founded on mutual respect and the shared experience of making music.