Transformation through music

Classical music is good for the soul. There is something very calming and soothing about classical music, although there is some music that can get on one’s nerves.

An experiment in Venezuela might be the way forward when it comes to reforming people convicted and sent to prison. Venezuela has introduced a program of teaching music to prisoners, which could be risky, but these prisoners see it more as a responsibility.

It is heartening to see so many of the prisoners have decided to join the music program and that even when they make it to the outside, at least there is a possibility of leaving the old gang life behind and forging a new career – in this case a young ex-gang member has managed to turn his life around with a new career and is continuing his music lessons.

This is an interesting experiment. It is better than treating the prisoners as if they are not worthwhile, and it gives them not just a sense of responsibility, but also something else – true self-esteem – as they progress with their learning of music.

Compare this to the model prison experiment in England and Australia (it was brought to Port Arthur and the prisoners who were forced into the model prison went insane), where the prisoners were kept isolated, had to wear bags on their heads and were not treated in a very humane way in my opinion. Without a doubt, this program beats something like the model prisons, and without a doubt this is a good way to bring about change in people who have been caught up in the prison system for whatever reason. NOTE: this might not work in the more hardened cases.