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Today we kicked off a 4-week songwriting block (an afternoon a week) which brings together a group made up of people on day release from HMP Castle Huntly, people on community payback orders, and people who have at some point been involved with criminal justice or who work in it.

Musicians Chris Duncan (C Duncan), Jill O’Sullivan (Jill Lorean), and Louise McCraw (Goodnight Louisa) are supporting the development of songs over the 4 weeks. Our sub-theme for this songwriting block is “Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today”.

We’d love to invite as many people as possible to respond to one of the exercises we used today, which uses time capsules as a jumping off point for thinking about the theme. The exercise is detailed below, and we’d love to hear responses – it can be as small as a one sentence thought, or a full song! You can send any writing, videos, or voice notes to lisa@voxliminis.co.uk.

Exercise: “Time Capsules”

Objective:
To explore the connections between our past, present, and futures

Introduction:
This exercise will help you think about how the past (yesterday), aspirations or fears for the future (tomorrow), and the current reality (today) can come together in a song.

Time Capsule Writing (we suggest 10 minutes if you like a time limit!):
Imagine three “time capsules”—one for yesterday, one for tomorrow, and one for today.

• Yesterday’s Time Capsule: Write down a memory or an experience from the past. It could be a joyful moment, a regret, a turning point, or even a seemingly small event that has stayed with them.

• Today’s Time Capsule: Write about how you feel today, an experience from this morning, or a reflecting on the last week. It could be a current challenge, a feeling of contentment, or a sense of urgency.

• Tomorrow’s Time Capsule: Write down a hope, fear, or dream for the future. What do you imagine or wish for? What do you hope will change or remain the same?

Brainstorming (10 minutes):

• What common themes or emotions came up in your time capsules?

• What images, words, or phrases stood out during conversation that could be powerful in a song?

• Can you think of metaphors or symbols that represent time, memory, or change?

• How might you tell a story that moves between yesterday, today, and tomorrow?

By the end of the exercise, you might (or might not!) have a deeper understanding of how past, present, and future are interconnected, and have a foundation of ideas, emotions, and images to use in your writing.

August 2024

In Tune continues to make a significant impact on families affected by imprisonment. Over the past few months, we’ve conducted sessions with parents and children – both individually and as a whole family – at HMP Glenochil, HMP&YOI Polmont, and HMP Edinburgh.

During songwriting sessions, imprisoned mums and dads have created original songs for their children over two to three days. The final day involves recording the song within the prison, and later, sharing it with their families by CD or an emailed link.

We’ve also held weekly sessions across 10-week blocks, offering families two hours each week to come together and simply be a family. These sessions provide an opportunity for imprisoned parents and their children to engage in creative and meaningful play—exploring new instruments, learning new songs, and enjoying music-based games. This time together allows parents to fully embrace their roles and gives children the chance to bond with their mums or dads in ways not possible during general visits.

Recognising the need to continue adapting In Tune to best serve those it’s designed for, we’ve recently explored new session designs based on conversations with both prison staff and families. For example, we introduced a new format at HMP Edinburgh, where groups of dads created an original group song for their children in just one day. This involves writing a completely new song from scratch in under three hours. Later that evening, their families come to the prison to enjoy a live performance of the freshly written song, followed by time spent playing games and learning instruments together.

The live element of In Tune is a departure from our usual approach, but it has been a welcome change. The immediate reactions and emotions shared by the families during these one-day sessions have been incredibly rewarding. As part of the In Tune team, it’s heartwarming to witness the children’s faces light up as their dads perform—whether it’s pure delight or, depending on their age, a bit of embarrassment! Either way, it’s a memory that will be cherished for years to come.

(We’ve written a short post on what this day typically looks, and feels, like here)

SEPTEMBER to OCTOBER 2024

Tuesday 3^rd September: Family Day at Vox Liminis

In Tune is running two open family sessions for children and young people with experience of a family member in prison. The first will be for children aged 0-5 years and their parent/carer to get involved in singing, musical games and stories! The second will be an opportunity for young people aged 11-16 to get involved in songwriting and jamming on musical instruments.  

Wednesday 11^th September: Family Day in HMP Edinburgh

In Tune Musicians will work with a group of Dads in HMP Edinburgh throughout the day to create and record an original group song for their children. In the evening their children and families will come in for a live performance of the song and to take part in a family In Tune session all together.

Monday nights September to October – Family Sessions in HMP Barlinnie

In Tune Musicians will work with a group of Dads and their children every Monday night for 6 weeks on a family band project. Families will get the opportunity to learn various instruments and pick some covers of songs to learn as well as create their own original material together. We’ll record anything made, and will hopefully arrange a small performance at the end of the sessions.

Over the past 5 months, we have been exploring with others how Vox Liminis might best use our creative skills right now to affect change in the justice system with and for young people.
We have landed on thinking about language: its power, how it’s used and how it is experienced. What language is understood when young people come into contact with justice processes, and what language isn’t understood? How do young people experience labelling by adults and other young people? How might young people’s perspectives and experiences create opportunities for learning, and create shifts in how language is used.

Many organisations have done work in this area recently, for example Victim Support Scotland’s 2022 Language Guide outlines more appropriate language to use with people affected by crime.
We wonder if our creative expertise might have a particular role to play in opening these conversations up further? Playful but provocative explorations of language, power and labelling through arts-based workshops could serve to stretch further thinking on the importance of language. Perhaps, with young people, we could make creative stimuli that stretch people’s thinking on language, way beyond those involved in justice reform?

If you have ideas, connections and thoughts on how we might develop this (with others!) please get in touch – we would love to hear from you.

If you or someone you know might be interested in joining this project, please contact jack@voxliminis.co.uk

These resources are intended to help learners and teachers in any context — community groups, high schools, colleges and universities — to explore the impacts of state punishment (in particular, imprisonment). More specifically, the project focused on the challenges of reintegration that punishment creates or exacerbates. 

Read or download the resources here