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Campaigners win bid to grant prisoners access to steel-string guitars Campaigners win bid to grant prisoners access to steel-string guitars
(about 2 hours later)
Musical campaigners have won a bid to grant British prisoners access to steel-string guitars. In response to a campaign led by Billy Bragg and MP Kevin Brennan, prisons minister Andrew Selous has lifted a blanket ban on taking these instruments behind bars. Musical campaigners have won a bid to grant British prisoners access to steel-string guitars. In response to a campaign led by Billy Bragg and MP Kevin Brennan, prisons minister Andrew Selous has lifted a blanket ban on taking the instruments behind bars.
"This is a victory for common sense," Brennan said in a statement. "The power of music to help prisoners to rehabilitate is well documented ... [and] if we want to reduce reoffending we need to support purposeful activities like learning to play an instrument." "This is a victory for common sense," Brennan said in a statement. "The power of music to help prisoners to rehabilitate is well documented … [and] if we want to reduce reoffending we need to support purposeful activities like learning to play an instrument."
In April, Bragg and 11 other musicians, including Johnny Marr, David Gilmour, Speech Debelle and Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, wrote a letter for the Guardian asking officials to lift the prisons' prohibition on steel-strings. Although prisoners were allowed to continue using nylon strings, "most guitars owned or used by inmates in our prisons are steel-strung acoustics", the musicians explained, and "this ruling will mean that these instruments are kept under lock and key".In April, Bragg and 11 other musicians, including Johnny Marr, David Gilmour, Speech Debelle and Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, wrote a letter for the Guardian asking officials to lift the prisons' prohibition on steel-strings. Although prisoners were allowed to continue using nylon strings, "most guitars owned or used by inmates in our prisons are steel-strung acoustics", the musicians explained, and "this ruling will mean that these instruments are kept under lock and key".
In Monday's statement, Bragg applauded the minister's decision. "Individual access to steel strung guitars can really help the atmosphere on a prison wing," he wrote. In Monday's statement, Bragg applauded the minister's decision. "Individual access to steel-strung guitars can really help the atmosphere on a prison wing," he wrote.
Bragg heads Jail Guitar Doors, a not-for-profit organisation providing musical instruments for prisoners. "I've had a number of projects involving guitars on hold which now will be able to go ahead, and will allow those using music in prisons to get on with this important work."Bragg heads Jail Guitar Doors, a not-for-profit organisation providing musical instruments for prisoners. "I've had a number of projects involving guitars on hold which now will be able to go ahead, and will allow those using music in prisons to get on with this important work."
Selous was appointed minister for prisons, probation and rehabilitation on 16 July.Selous was appointed minister for prisons, probation and rehabilitation on 16 July.