For young people in detention facing acute trauma, isolation, and systemic disadvantage, finding a safe creative outlet can be transformative.
Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) has spent over two decades witnessing the power of creative expression inside Australia’s Youth Justice Centres. Building on our long-standing weekly music programs in, we are thrilled to launch “Hear Me Out: Music Behind Bars”, an intensive 6-week songwriting pilot at Cobham Youth Justice Centre.
This pilot has been made possible thanks to generous grant funding from the Sony Foundation and the Matana Foundation. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to youth-at-risk, and belief in the restorative power of music.
Adaptation of a Proven Model
Hear Me Out is a youth-focused adaptation of Songbirds; a successful songwriting program originally developed by musician Murray Cook for adult correctional facilities. Itself inspired by singer-songwriter Billy Bragg’s Jail Guitar Doors initiative in the UK.
Murray, a veteran Australian guitarist and producer known for his work with Mental As Anything and Midnight Oil, is co-leading the pilot alongside experienced ACMF teaching musician Elle Flanagan. The initiative creates a safe space for young men in custody to process complex emotions and express their own stories.
Cobham’s Program Supervisor, Education Unit, and Aboriginal Practice Officer selected participants who stand to benefit most from this creative outlet. By the end of the program, participants will have written, developed, and recorded an original song, gaining practical skills in songwriting, melody creation, and music production.
Mentors: DOBBY and Kobie Dee
The pilot brings in direct mentorship from two acclaimed Australian hip-hop artists who understand the power of storytelling:
- DOBBY is an Aria award-winning Filipino-Murrawarri rapper and composer.
“Songwriting is healing and empowering. We all have the right to express ourselves, tell the stories that make up who we are, and do so with agency and dignity. Hip Hop in particular has always fundamentally championed this aspect, and I’m excited for the amazing music we’ll be making.”
- Kobie Dee: Gomeroi rapper and community advocate. Kobie’s connection to the ACMF runs full circle. We first taught him as a primary student. Today, we teach his own children.
“I always look forward to collaborating with young people and creating a space where they feel safe to express themselves… Through these workshops, they can build confidence, connect with others, and recognise the strength and creativity they already have within them.”
The Impact of Music in Youth Justice
This pilot builds on both independent national research. This includes studies led by Dr. Alexis Kallio informed directly by ACMF programs across Australian Youth Justice Centres. Research shows that participatory songwriting accelerates emotional literacy, helps process trauma, and restores a sense of personal dignity and agency.
Evaluation data from our ongoing YJC programs reflects this impact, with staff and participant responses:
- 100% reported a safe space for emotional expression and improved self-confidence.
- 100% reported building skills that foster self-worth and resilience when facing new challenges.
- 95% reported positive social interactions, peer acceptance, and practical leadership skills.
Looking Ahead
By providing agency and a constructive outlet, Hear Me Out supports participants to build self-worth and re-engage with learning. Following the evaluation of the Cobham pilot, our goal is to explore scaling this songwriting model across our work with youth-at-risk.
You can read the full industry announcement on The Music, or learn more about our ongoing work on our ACMF Youth Justice Programs page.
Stay tuned as we share updates and evaluation insights from the pilot in the coming months.
