Topic: Music In Prisons
Moderators - feel free to move this where you deem appropriate.
Okay, how to start this off as I guess it could be quite an emotive issue, especially if you or someone close has been a victim of crime, but here goes.
For a while now I've been engaged in a prisons pen-pal scheme; I'm not going too much into that except to say that its been both daunting and rewarding in equal measure. One of the things that has come to light is the vast gap between something we take so much for granted on the outside like access to downloads or buying CDs or even attending gigs. Now I know, these folks are inside to be punished for whatever, but did you know music access, especially in Federal institutes is limited to a small radio (no CD or tape facility) and access to local stations - any specific genre, R&B, Rock, Country etc, is down to a "library" of 6 CDs in random play, changed weekly, in some cases. Yes, in some places MP3 players are available with downloads running at something like $2 per track (and that's a sizeable chunk from prison pay); that's down to who ever runs the service contract, but you'd be surprised by the list of artists NOT on there, but maybe some managers could check out if their bands are represented. Whether there is access to CDs seems to depend on the type of institution (Federal or State), so maybe, next time you're having a clear-out, instead of the local charity shop or Thrift Store, see if you can donate to some prison library service (books too!).
Another thing to check out, especially bands starting out, is to see about doing a gig at a prison; I know in Texas, there are a couple of Christian Rock bands go round and get a great reception and even have inmates jam on stage (and once or twice, play the off the stage). Maybe it's worth getting in touch with your nearest State facility and checking out - remember, didn't do Johnny Cash's career any harm... Bands too, you may want to think about donating old or surplus gear, or even the odd set of guitar strings would be welcome.
Okay then, enough of the "bleeding heart, liberal", I'm not saying there are folk in prison that don't deserve to be there, and there are those who, as my grannie used to say "deserve a good kick up the ***", but in some cases, "there but for the grace of God go I". If I've made you think, then job done, if I've made you want to act, then brilliant, thank you, but if I've wasted your time, then sorry.
Mike
If anyone wants to join a pen-pal scheme, let me know and I'll pass on some site addresses.
Give back the lemons. Why were the lemons free? What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...