Prison spends £10K on Prisoners to learn music beats
Prison spends £10K on Prisoners to learn music beats, HMP Dartmoor, a prison in Devon, has invested £10,000 in a unique programme aimed at helping inmates manage their anger through ‘body percussion’. This initiative involves teaching prisoners how to use rhythmic movements, such as stamping their feet and clicking their fingers, as a form of cognitive-based therapy. The programme, which includes songs like Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling”, is part of a 12-month contract with Wiltshire firm Kaboom!, costing £9,600.
The decision to implement this programme comes in the wake of a challenging period for HMP Dartmoor. An unannounced inspection by HM Inspector of Prisons revealed issues of overcrowding, inadequate support for minority groups, and a healthcare environment deemed ‘not fit for purpose’. The Independent Monitoring Board also reported that the impact of staff shortages and Covid restrictions had made the past year particularly difficult for the prison.
The Prison Service has defended the scheme, stating that such initiatives help reduce crime. However, the move has drawn criticism from some quarters, with a Labour source describing the prison system as being in “total chaos” and questioning the effectiveness of this approach in keeping the public safe.
This development at HMP Dartmoor reflects the broader challenges faced by the UK prison system. It highlights the need for innovative approaches to prisoner rehabilitation and the management of complex issues like anger and aggression among inmates. The programme’s success and impact on reducing reoffending rates will be closely monitored, as will its potential as a model for other institutions facing similar challenges.
