Rehab Through Rhythm at Scotland's Largest Prison
Inmates at Scotland's largest prison are being given the opportunity to make their own records behind bars as part of a rehabilitation program.
At His Majesty's Prison Barlinnie — known as HMP Barlinnie, or just Barlinnie — prisoners can express themselves through music as part of a government funded workshop.
Prisoners are encouraged to write songs and raps, which can then be made into recordings with the help of a producer from Conviction Records — Scotland's first record label for ex-offenders, started in 2020.
The music program is the brainchild of Conviction Records founder Jill Brown, a former TV news presenter. As she told the BBC, the workshops aim to boost prisoners' confidence and self-esteem, and give them a sense that people believe in them.
Over the eight-week course, prisoners are encouraged to write hip-hop music, with many using it as an opportunity to express their feelings behind bars.
Robert, a repeat offender and prisoner at Barlinnie, told the BBC the hip-hop lessons have given him something to look forward to, and he believes they can help stop him from committing more crimes.
Another participant, Bernie, said: "I'm changing my life for the better now, and I've got high hopes that I'm going to be all right."
Research has shown that arts-based rehabilitation programs in prisons can improve prisoner mental health and behavior. A 2005 study found that discipline reports among English prisoners taking part in an arts program decreased by 29% compared to before the program.
Musician Becci Wallace, who has been helping Barlinnie's inmates record and produce their songs, believes the workshop is a positive thing, regardless of those who might think criminals shouldn't be given free music classes.
"If they are continuing to make the same mistakes over and over again and coming back here, then why not try something new?" she said.
The workshop ended with a small show where prisoners' tracks were played in front of guards and other prisoners.
Brown plans to bring the program back again later in 2024 — but this time with a focus on folk music.