Whanganui prison chaplain, Home of Compassion Sister Litia, and local volunteer, John Scudder, have helped a group of inmates at the prison record a CD of original music.
While assisting the men spiritually, Sister Litia recognised they had musical talent and thought that talent could be used to address their behaviour.
The nine prisoners, using the name Urban Migration, have recorded Songs Down Pauri Road 2012, a collection of 16 songs they wrote and recorded in the prison. The title of the CD comes from the prison’s location on Pauri Rd, Kaitoke.
Their songs are about their families and their dreams for the future.
They play all the instruments on the CD, and one of the prisoners designed the CD artwork.
Whanganui Prison acting manager Jan Smith says, “Music can bring self-reflection, which for some prisoners is the beginning of a process to change their behaviour. The prisoners in the group have used music as a way of expressing themselves, and to share their experiences.”