Evaluation Title

Beats & Bars - Music in Prisons: An Evaluation

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative and Quantitative

Evaluation Focus Behaviour change, Confidence, Impact of programme, Participation, Self-Esteem, Well Being

Project outputs Arts-based workshops, Performances

Methodologies Adjudication reports, Case Studies, Data analysis, Focus Groups, Interviews, Observation, Participant observation, Pre and post programme measures, Questionnaires

Research limitations Control Groups

Summary of evaluation

The report evaluated a series of five-day music projects which took place in eight men’s prisons across England from October 2007 to July 2008. The evaluation was aimed at understanding the impact of the project on its participants’ engagement with purposeful activities whilst in prison. In particular the impact of the project on their engagement with the Learning and Skills department, as well as their behaviour and general well-being in prison.

This evaluation is based on empirical observation and analysis ofdocumentary data, interviews, focus groups, and survey questionnaires. It is the result of a sustained, in-depth evaluation of the process and outcomes of the music project by researchers from the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology.

Project description

The music projects were held in the following prisons (categories accurate at time of evaluation, 2008):

HMP Wayland (Short and mid term sentences) October 2007
HMP Edmunds Hill (Short, mid and long term sentences) October 2007
HMP Wandsworth (Remand, short term and life sentences) November 2007
HMP Brixton (Remand, short, mid and long term sentences) December 2007
HMP Whatton (Vulnerable prisoners) January 2008
HMP Manchester (Mid and long term sentences) January 2008
HMP Littlehey (Vulnerable prisoners) April 2008
HMP Edmunds Hill (Short, mid and long term sentences) June 2008

Key Quote

Finally, it is clear that the Music in Prisons project contributes to the Prison Service’s aim to provide ‘safe, secure and decent regimes’.

Key findings included a reduction in adjudications both during and after the project, an increase in confidence to participate in other educational programmes as well as confirmation that Music in Prisons projects can play a role in fulfilling the NOMS ‘Seven Pathways to Reducing Reoffending’.


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Arts Alliance Evidence Library