Can You Play Instruments in Prison?
Use this website for informational purposes only.
In the United States, some states allow inmates to play musical instruments through music programs. However, inmates can only order the instruments from an approved vendor catalog. They also need to get approval from the warden or deputy warden to have these instruments.
Playing instruments in prison is a privilege, and only a small number of the prison population can access them. Moreover, model prisoners can purchase musical instruments and retain them in their cells. On the other hand, high-risk inmates are not allowed to access such instruments.
In this piece, we’ll look at the ins and outs of how prisoners can access musical instruments.
Are Musical Instruments Allowed in Prison?
Several federal prisons in the United States typically allow musical instruments under specific terms and conditions. However, other federal correctional centers that house inmates incriminated of severe wrongdoings, including rapes, murder, and kidnapping, do not allow inmates to play musical instruments. This is due to the following safety and security reasons:
- Inmates can use instrument strings to commit murder.
- Some inmates use strings as a suicidal tool.
- Inmates can use steel strings to tattoo each other.
Inmates aren’t allowed to purchase their own acoustic or electronic musical instruments, and only recreation staff can provide them. Some state prisons prefer only to give the musical equipment for religious services; otherwise, they are stored as excess property.
What Musical Instruments Can You Find in Prison?
Inmates that have earned certain privileges can have access to one musical instrument. A specific inmate population can access music rooms with state-approved musical instruments, where eligible inmates can perform their tracks and record audio and video. Some correctional facilities accept musical instruments that are donated.
Once they are done with the instruments, the correctional officers return them to their drafts for protection and safety. Some state prisons allow music models to retain the instruments only if they don’t pose a danger to other inmates and themselves.
Some of these instruments include:
- A guitar
- Bass and drums
- Recorder
- Flute
- Piano
- Harmonica
- Violin
- Saxophones
- Harps
- Trumpets
- Viola
Can Music Be Used as a Prison Rehabilitation?
Some federal prisons in the United States consider making music accessible to every inmate by providing musical instruments. As far as prison life goes, inmates need to reform, and music might help them express themselves. Further, music can help inmates let go of what they don’t want to be part of anymore.
The advantage of playing music in prison is that it gives all inmates a chance to participate. No exceptional musical experience is required to write and sing music. The inmates that participate in these music programs are chosen by merit.
It might be the first chance some inmates get exposed to classical or chamber music. These inmates can develop new ways to channel the feelings of violence into music and express themselves without causing harm.
Can Inmates Earn Their Way Out of Prison With Music?
For thousands of inmates nationwide, music might be their way out. Music production can restore the inmate’s relationship with people on the outside.
Music is a tool prisoners can use to learn two-way communication skills through listening and understanding each other. In their songwriting workshops, inmates are tasked to find a way to express their feelings that are non-confrontational. These musical instruments might not be the key to unlock your prison cell, but they can be the key to unlock the prison gate, opening you to the world.
Besides offering tips to inmates on music and life, federal state prisons can allow you to make a case for prison reform. It helps inmates return to society and reduce what they call “hyper incarceration” laws and policies.
Do Prisons Offer Music Programs?
Some correctional facilities in the United States offer volunteer-driven music programs. These programs vary according to different correctional facilities, where some inmates do it individually while others as a choir. Just like music is a significant part of people’s culture, so is prison.
Through these programs, we found that some inmates start to change for the better. Here are some of the benefits why these programs should be considered in all correctional facilities:
- Music supports inmates’ rehabilitation.
- Music gives prisoners inspiration, purpose, and something they can look forward to.
- These programs help reduce inmates’ recidivism.
- It is music programs that generate a sense of closeness between inmates.
- It also helps build inmates relationships, bring inmates together and solve conflicts,
- It relieves the loneliness of some inmates as inmates meet; they form some solidarity and togetherness.
- Inmates can express their negative or positive feelings as a way of getting them to be heard.
How Can You Release Music in Prison?
Federal prisons do not allow the use of smartphones or recording devices in prison. However, you can release music through the payphone. As an inmate, you can call your producer and have them record your music over the phone. Unfortunately, you will have to do this with no beat in the background backing you up. There’s also the route of writing the song lyrics in a letter with notes about the rhythm.
The editing team has to organize and distribute your work according to the specifications you gave via phone calls or during visitation. Your producing team will take your raw vocals, match the beats and style.
If the producers like the music, they will gladly publish it. However, if something needs clarification, they will have to reach you first. The final product is produced and released, with its proceeds going to your account.
Here are some of the rappers that have recorded music over the phone:
- 50 Cent
- Gucci Mane
- Cassidy
- Mac Dre
- Tony Yayo
- Mysonne
- Boosie
It is a remarkable way of getting your music outside when you are behind bars. If you have excellent producers, they will help you get the best mix down and sound no different from something recorded in a studio.
What Time can you Record Music in Jail?
Most federal state prisons in the United States have a recreational time or otherwise known as downtime. Inmates use this downtime to go to the Library, attend GED classes, work out, and get entertained by watching TV. For those that love music, this seems the perfect time to create and record their music.
The prison staff helps the inmates schedule the recording date in advance. That’s because most of these correctional facilities allow only one inmate for a recording session at a time due to safety reasons.
Can You Earn a Living While Playing Music in Prison?
For some inmates, especially models, to earn a living from playing music, these are the methods they are likely to use:
- They give their producers their music in a pre-recorded manner to release them while they are still away.
- Some models have recorded audio and video music which they hand over to their management team to release when they get behind bars.
- Some inmates risk smuggling in video cameras, voice recorders, and cell phones in prison to document themselves and sell the content.
Can You Listen to Music While You Are in Prison?
Listening to music depends on the state and federal policies of the prison you are incarcerated. You can purchase MP3 players, Headphones, and portable CD players from approved vendors that dispatch the musical items intended to accommodate you. Correctional facilities do not allow the use of iPods by the inmates.
Headphones shipped to the prisons are usually made of plastic for safety reasons. You can also use computers in the Library to listen to music as long as you have headphones. You can purchase songs using your commissary account money for your Mp3 player at the TruLincs kiosk, download, and plug in your headphones.
Conclusion
Music programs held in prison acts as an integral part of every inmate that volunteers participation. However, there is no clear research yet scrutinized music’s relevance between inmates and the prison staff. Music is also a significant source of pleasure and relief, especially for inmates that are often restrained under challenging settings of the prisons.
Some states might not allow inmates to record videos or audio music files in prison. Other states enable prisons to have music programs studios where the convicted can record and play music during free and recreational hours.
Inmates in some federal prisons in the United States have limited access to these musical instruments. This is always the case, especially when correctional facilities need to cut off funding to some programs. Otherwise, the federal prisons enable their inmates to access music in one form or other and allow artists to produce songs under controlled environments.
This site is not owned or operated by any state government agency, read more.