“I’ll live better, stay away from crime”: exploring the reintegration of former prisoners into the community through a music programme
Journal of Criminal Psychology
ISSN: 2009-3829
Article publication date: 16 August 2023
Issue publication date: 27 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
There is evidence that music programmes can have a positive impact on people in contact with the criminal justice system. However, little attention has been paid to the potential role of music programmes as people leave prison and re-enter the community. Providing support for former prisoners “through-the-gate” is important to aid resettlement and reduce the risk of reoffending. This paper aims to present research on a programme called Sounding Out: a two-year, London-based programme providing ex-prisoners with longer-term rehabilitative opportunities upon their release to bridge the gap between life inside and outside of prison.
Design/methodology/approach
The study aimed to understand the impact of the Sounding Out programme on ex-prisoners from the perspective of participants, staff and family members. Semi-structured interviews took place with 17 people: ten participants across two Sounding Out projects; six members of staff – three from the Irene Taylor Trust, two musicians and one former prison worker; and one family member of a participant.
Findings
The research provides an understanding of the impact of involvement in a carefully designed programme of music creation, skills development and work placements. Thematic analysis of the data resulted in three key themes: personal impact, focus and direction and interpersonal relationships. The findings are consistent with the body of research that demonstrates the impact of music programmes on prisoners.
Originality/value
The current study adds to the relatively limited body of evidence on the role of music programmes in the reintegration of former prisoners into the community.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the staff at Irene Taylor Trust for facilitating the interview arrangements and all the participants who took part in the interview.
This research was funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
Citation
Hopley, R., Caulfield, L. and Jolly, A. (2023), "“I’ll live better, stay away from crime”: exploring the reintegration of former prisoners into the community through a music programme", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 351-366. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-12-2022-0033
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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