A campaign led by Billy Bragg and MP Kevin Brennan to overturn a ban on the use of steel string guitars in prisons has been successful.
Musicians including Smiths guitarist, turned solo artist Johnny Marr and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour all lent their support to the initiative.
After months of campaigning, the new prisons minister Andrew Selous has written to Mr Brennan to confirm the decision.
Commenting, Billy said: ‘As an incentive to engage in rehabilitation individual access to steel strung guitars can really help the atmosphere on a prison wing.
‘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.’
The singer songwriter originally started his own Jail Guitar Doors project in 2007 as means of helping prisoner rehabilitation through sourcing them guitars.
Read Billy’s recent comment piece for M discussing the current opportunities and challenges facing the music industry’s streaming marketplace.
Musicians including Smiths guitarist, turned solo artist Johnny Marr and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour all lent their support to the initiative.
After months of campaigning, the new prisons minister Andrew Selous has written to Mr Brennan to confirm the decision.
Commenting, Billy said: ‘As an incentive to engage in rehabilitation individual access to steel strung guitars can really help the atmosphere on a prison wing.
‘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.’
The singer songwriter originally started his own Jail Guitar Doors project in 2007 as means of helping prisoner rehabilitation through sourcing them guitars.
Read Billy’s recent comment piece for M discussing the current opportunities and challenges facing the music industry’s streaming marketplace.
