Jersey prisoners record music album in jail

Susie Richardson, Prison Governor, said some had described the experience as "the best week of their life"

Inmates at Jersey's only prison have been writing and recording their own music album.

The Government of Jersey said UK charity Finding Rhythms had visited to help prisoners at HMP La Moye Prison "express themselves through song".

It said the charity had produced more than 800 sounds and about 100 albums over the last 12 years.

Susie Richardson, prison governor, said some had described the experience as "the best week of their life".

She said: "We've had ten prisoners on this course so if you think a prison of 160 prisoners, that's a really good proportion of our prison engaged in that.

"They describe it as the best week of their sentence - they're talking about it being the most significant week in terms of exploring feelings, emotions and daring to dream as well."

Ms Richardson said the course helped link to the evidence of reducing reoffending.

"It's our constant commitment to releasing better neighbours in Jersey and reducing the risk of future victims," she said.

Fred Harper, from Finding Rhythms, said the album would give families a "link up to the person who is on the inside".

He said: "They feel like they have created something they're proud of, which can act as a bridge after release.

"They can carry the album that they have made with us and therefore feel a kind of sense of self belief, so that they can continue to live within the community and not against it.