​Impact Report 2024-5

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Music in the Ville exists to bring creativity, connection and hope into one of the most challenging environments: prison. Over the past year our programme of weekly music workshops at HMP Pentonville has continued to demonstrate that music is more than an art form - it is a catalyst for wellbeing, rehabilitation, and community.

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HMP Pentonville is a Victorian prison designed to hold 600 men but currently holds approximately 1100. The prison faces severe mental health challenges, high levels of self-harm, and limited opportunities for positive engagement, with most men being locked up 22 hours a day in overcrowded cells with little chance of work or education (Inspection Report of HMP Pentonville by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 30 June–10 July 2025). Music in the Ville not only offers a respite from the stressful atmosphere, but it improves behaviour and relationships between staff and men.

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Why music matters in prison

A message from Emma Dogliani CEO and founder of Music in the Ville:

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Opportunities for self-expression and positive social interaction in prisons are extremely limited. Feelings of isolation and anxiety are common, and pathways to personal growth can seem out of reach. Music changes that dynamic, offering a safe space for creativity, building trust and fostering a sense of belonging. 

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Many of the men who attend Music in the Ville workshops have had very negative experiences of education. Drawing them in through music can help give them a much more positive educational experience and increase the chance of them progressing to other courses, be it at Pentonville or at another prison, or on the outside. Calvin (not his real name) had a very bad time at school and ended up being excluded at a young age. When he was in his twenties facing a life sentence he was drawn into a music project and ended up learning the guitar. Passing his Grade 1 in prison was his first ever success in education. This led him to sign up for education classes, finally achieving a degree before the end of his sentence. This story, told to me at Pentonville in 2017, I found very inspiring and was one of the starting points of Music in the Ville. 

 

We currently have a fantastic team of ten musicians, three of whom are opera singers, and two others classically trained, but equally happy improvising in Jazz and Blues, joining in with whatever the men bring to sessions. The Victorian building has many disadvantages, but the acoustic on the wings is particularly good for the big operatic arias.  Performing live music on the wings is something we’re very proud to be able to do. These ‘on the wing’ sessions not only change the atmosphere in the prison for that time, shaking up the immense drudgery of the prison regime, but they are also a great opportunity to invite men who are interested or most in need, to join the weekly class. It also helps the Music in the Ville team to build a strong relationship with the staff, without whose vital support none of the workshops would happen. 

I am delighted to report that during the past year Music in the Ville has grown significantly to a point where we can now guarantee the continuity of weekly workshops throughout the year, not even breaking for a week at Christmas, particularly important when even less is going on during the holiday period.

 

What we delivered in 2024-5

• Two-hour weekly music workshops attended by 10-15 men, led by professional musicians amounting to 624 attendances in the year. These are designed not only to teach music but to nurture confidence, teamwork and resilience.

• Monthly ‘on the wing’ performances and ‘open mic’ sessions, reaching up to 500 men each time. Approximately 3600 men saw us perform or took part in ‘open mic’ sessions in the last year. There are currently approximately 1100 men living in the prison. 

• Creative projects, including custom T-shirts and artwork designed by participants, to raise awareness of the workshops both in and outside the prison.

• Six instruments donated, providing a life-changing experience for men who were given permission to practise in their cells. 

• Three performances in the chapel, giving participants the chance to showcase their progress to an audience of up to 100, made up of prisoners and visitors from outside. 

Feedback from members of the public attending one the performances:

‘ It was an unbelievable day and one of the most memorable concerts I’ve ever been to; certainly the most unique and inspirational.’ 

‘I was overwhelmed with emotion and amazed by the amount of talent in the room. I forgot where we were. Music brought everybody together, no matter age, nationality, religion, background.’

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Evidence of Change

Our evaluation framework, based on the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) and qualitative feedback, confirms significant positive impact across multiple dimensions. (Music in the Ville – Evaluation Report by Clara Freixes Ramoneda, published July 2024)

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• Improved mental wellbeing of participants 

    ‘have reduced self harm, and focus on a more positive outlook. We get to hear others and feel their emotions in their writing.’      (weekly participant)​

     ‘I thought it was the radio - I didn't realise it was live music. I was feeling depressed and it made me come out of my cell….

     It raised my spirits, especially that kind of music which I don't normally listen to.' (Feedback from ‘on the wings' session)

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• Strengthened relationships: Increased trust and positive interaction with peers and staff.

   ‘I am meeting new people every week, every time I come down there are new people.’ (weekly participant)

   ‘Whether [the men] have mental health issues, family issues, issues with the staff, they can forget all about that [at the music     workshops]. It means that they trust me more….they see me as a human as much as I see them as a human. And that               breaks  down a lot of barriers.’ (senior prison officer)

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• Enhanced confidence and self-esteem: observations and interviews highlighted greater pride and aspirations. 

    'Coming here makes me feel like I am not in prison, ‘cos the tutors are so good and the quality of teaching is so good, I learn      so much in such a short space of time.' (weekly participant)

    'thank you for your encouraging intervention…. it has brought me joy, confidence and courage to perform, not just in singing      but in other areas of my life. You’ve inspired me no end.’ (weekly participant)

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• Positive behavioural changes: staff noted calmer interactions and improved focus during sessions.

    ‘I have reduced self harm, and focus on a more positive outlook.’ (weekly participant)

    'they write lyrics in their cells. How beautiful is that? Music literally heals the soul. And I think it really heals so many souls in      the prison service.’ (Prison officer)

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These findings from our evaluation report confirm that music is not just an activity—it is an intervention that supports rehabilitation. 

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Impact on individuals 

Our work is best understood through the stories of those who took part: 

 

​Jackson’s Journey (name has been changed) 

Jackson told MITV that his life had started to go wrong eight years before when he had stopped playing the violin. A message went out to MITV supporters to see if anyone had a violin to donate. One was found and permission sought to allow Jackson to have it in his cell. He started practicing daily, inspiring others and developing a renewed sense of purpose. His progress reflects the potential for growth even in restrictive environments.

‘16th of July is the day a miracle happened in my life. I found out I was gifted a beautiful violin which I was allowed to keep in my cell. I was left speechless. Thank you for making my time here [be] put to good use. Prison has now transformed into a classroom from a wasteland. Thank you for your kindness - my faith in humanity has been restored.’

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Cathy’s Story (name has been changed)

Cathy, a trans woman held in the male prison system, joined our sessions seeking a safe and affirming space. Through music, she found confidence and community, attending weekly for nearly a year. After release, Cathy was employed by MITV to perform at a fundraising event and is continuing to work more on her own compositions. 

‘MITV has become an extremely important part of my life and is helpful towards my mental health. It's a happy place where I feel safe to express myself. The sessions are amazing, it’s a safe space where no one judges or criticises you for being yourself.’

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Music in the Ville reaches parts other projects can’t 

Music in the Ville is uniquely positioned to bring live music onto the wings of the prison. Seven of the musicians are keyholders at HMP Pentonville. The session leaders are known and trusted by the staff and are given access to make music directly on to the prison wings when prisoners are out on association. Other projects in inner-city prisons struggle to recruit prisoners to join their activities because of staff shortages and staff work priorities. One of our team goes in for a full extra day a week to talk to all the men who attend our weekly class, gain feedback from them, plan ideas with them, and recruit other men to join.

Classroom space is extremely limited. Music in the Ville’s ‘on the wing’ monthly sessions are groundbreaking and make a big difference in a challenging environment. We cannot solve the many problems currently in our overstretched prison system, but we are helping some of the men caught up in it, to find hope and ways to express themselves positively. 

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Looking Ahead

Music in the Ville will continue to grow. Our plans for the coming year include:

• Expanding ‘on the wing’ sessions to fortnightly to reach more participants.

• Increasing performance opportunities within the prison.

• Securing additional instruments and resources to sustain engagement.

• Pilot project working with participants after release.

• Pilot project intensive music and drama week.

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Every note played, every lyric written and every song sung is a step toward hope and renewal. We invite you to support our work and help us keep the music alive behind prison walls.