Evaluation Title
Musical Learning and Desistance from Crime: The case of a 'Good Vibrations' Javanese Gamelan project with young offenders
Type of evaluation
Data type Qualitative
Evaluation Focus Desistance, Impact of programme, Impact on institution, Personal development, Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, Sense of self
Key indicator Social and Life Skills
Methodologies Interviews, Participant observation, Pre and post programme measures, Questionnaires
Research limitations Sample size
Summary of evaluation
This paper discusses new empirical evidence for a positive relationship between musical learning and desistance from crime. On investigating the learning processes occurring within a Javanese gamelan project in a Young Offenders Institution, parallels between musical learning processes and the development of certain attributes linked to desistance from crime emerged.
This paper illustrates the personal development and the social development that can be gained as a result of the project. These are discussed in the context of successful musical learning and the suggestion is made that musical learning and developing the attributes essential for inspiring desistance from crime arise from shared learning processes.
Key Quote
"I am able to listen a lot more. What other people are saying - that was something that I struggled with before. I used to [think] ‘I don’t care, I’m here for one person and one person only.' You can’t be like that. In order to get anywhere in this world you’ve got to listen. Good Vibrations taught me that."
Available for Download
Info
Artform
MusicOrganisation
Good VibrationsCJS Context
PrisonRegion
Evaluating organisation
Institute of Education, University of London
University of London
Author
Jennie Henley
Conducted: 2011 – 2012
Published: February 2012
Type: Academic Institution report