Youth at Risk Programs: Juvenile Justice Centres
JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTRE PROGRAMS
In Juvenile Justice Centres, it is critical to create an outlet for youth to express themselves in a positive way, rather than resorting to self-harm or violence. Most detainees come from Indigenous or highly disadvantaged and often abusive backgrounds.
The programs are used by the Centres as incentives for good behaviour and consistently rate as the most popular voluntary programs. Weekly music programs are held in all except three detention centres across Australia – where young men and women are encouraged to engage, explore and positively express themselves through the mentoring and group sessions with the specially selected educators and teachers.
Objectives:
- Mental health benefits
- Reduce recidivism
- Engagement with learning
- Improve literacy and numeracy
- Incentive for good behaviour
Results:
These weekly sessions have proven to reduce aggression, violence and negativity and to enhance creative expression, self esteem and positivity. Given the relatively small size of these classes, the mentoring is exceptionally powerful, making an observable impact on the young men and women involved. Youth are taught many different aspects of creativity and musical expression, including songwriting, performance and recording. Through these mentoring sessions and musical therapy, many of the youth when released, go on to become enrolled in training programs for the Australian music industry.
“The physiological benefits of participants involved in the ACMF program include stress release, motivation, improved emotional and cognitive skills, including self esteem and problem solving.” ~ Shane Stanton, Principal at Ashley Youth Detention Centre, TAS.
“Many young people have no clear direction upon release, but with skills and confidence they acquire in this program, they are able to see that they do have the potential to achieve positive outcomes in life.” ~ Christine Blanch, Principal at Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre, NSW.
“95% of the boys I’ve taught have not come back into the centres!” ~ Tom Soteriou, Cavan Youth Education Centre, Magill Remand Centre, SA.
Case studies:
Click here to listen to “Chris Smith Afternoons” on Juvenile Justice Centres
Cheyne Halloran, the ACMF music teacher at Shepherds Park, the Juvenile Justice Centre in Wagga Wagga, is a man of many talents. As well as teaching music at Shepherds Park, and performing locally in Wagga and nearby towns, this year he translated the National Anthem into Ngunnawal, the language of the indigenous people whose lands encompassed Canberra and the surrounding area, and performed it for the crowds gathered on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin on Australia Day. Have a listen to this inspirational clip (arrangement and recording owned by Out There Productions Australia.)
The ACMF were delighted to receive the below letter from a young man who feels fortunate to have benefitted from the musical programs:
“My name is John Falvo. I was a detainee at Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice centre where I became involved in the ACMF’s music program. The program gave me my first introduction to musical theory, recording and editing software and inspired me to continue further involvement in music upon my release.
Once I was released I came into contact with the ACMF. It is now over a year since my release and I am studying audio engineering and playing the piano. I have plans to become involved in the ACMF program at Baxter once my parole period is complete. This program was a great confidence booster to myself and gave me and education I may not have gained had I not been incarcerated.
The program offers those involved new skills and confidence in a time in their lives where they are more prone to negative influences than positive.”
“TRIPLE J” UNEARTHS ACMF TALENT
Three young men who were part of ACMF’s ‘Youth at Risk’ program at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre (ACT), have gone from end of year concerts for their peers, to performing before special guests like the former ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and Jessica Mauboy! They entered Triple J’s “Unearthed” competition with a song they wrote whilst at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. The song is about child soldiers and the blood diamond trade in Sierra Leone. Click here to listen to their song ‘For Afrika’ and click here to listen to the interview with ACMF teacher, Ian Pav and one of the songwriters.
SARAH SCOTT PAUL SUPPORTS YOUTH AT RISK
“To be offered the opportunity to attend a Juvenile Justice Centre, and witness first hand the Youth at Risk music program was an experience I think will stick with me for life. To say it was unique and rewarding is an understatement!
When the 6 boys who were attending the music class entered the music room, you could sense that some were excited to be there (previous participants) and others were very unsure (were new). It was an interesting dynamic initially. The music teachers handled the dynamic with professionalism, care, and experience. They promoted active involvement of the 6 students from the outset. I was amazed to see how quickly the participants engaged with the teachers and music. The change in mood from when they entered the room subdued to the joy and active involvement at the end of the session was remarkable. I witnessed first hand the motivation, will to succeed, listening skills, self-confidence, glee all participants projected.
When you experience the Music program at a Juvenile Justice Centre, it is visibly clear what a valuable and significant impact the music program makes to offenders in helping them find themselves and build self-esteem. At Juvenile Justice Centres young offenders experience isolation, uncertainty and fear; the music program run through ACMF has all the hallmarks of what ACMF attempts to achieve for young people allow music to break barriers and build confidence.”
NSW YOUTH, DRUG AND ALCOHOL COURT PROGRAMS
The NSW Youth Drug and Alcohol Court (YDAC) aims to reduce re-offending. The youth involved at this facility are entrenched in the criminal justice system, and YDAC assists in helping them overcome their drug and/or alcohol addictions. ACMF commenced music programs at YDAC in September 2009, with the recognition and expectation that music would have a far reaching and positive influence. This program has proven highly successful.
It has even been acknowledged by Hilary Hannam (former Children’s Court Magistrate) as “the best program that has been incorporated within the YDAC program in over 10 years”:
“Virtually all of the young people participating in the YDAC are highly disadvantaged, experiencing dysfunctional and often abusive family lives, exposure to violence and substance abuse from a young age, have sever deficiencies and nearly always miss out on the “normal” range of social and recreational activities experiences by most children and adolescents in the community. In short, these young people have not experienced the kinds of lives of mainstream society and often feel disconnected and isolated from its values and norms.
Under the ACMF program each week, up to six of the participants in YDAC take part in music lessons. Instruments have been purchased for the young people and they participate in songwriting, beat making, performing on instruments and recording. Every young person I have spoken to speaks of the music program in the highest terms, most describing it as the “best thing about the drug court.”
~ Hilary Hannam- Magistrate, Children’s Court of NSW in 2010, now Chief Magistrate NT Children’s Court.
