Many young people in contact with the justice system come from backgrounds of extreme poverty, parental abuse or neglect, parental incarceration and disrupted education. These complex traumas often manifest as addictions to drugs or alcohol, mental health challenges, poor physical health and wellbeing, and conduct disorders. How we can effectively respond to offending by these vulnerable young people remains a contentious topic .
“Tough on youth crime” approaches are notoriously ineffective: 85% of young people in Australia reoffend within a year of release , and research from the United Kingdom suggests periods of detention increase the frequency and severity of offending. Innovative solutions are urgently needed to reduce youth offending in ways that prioritise the best interests of the child . Music can provide incarcerated youth with opportunities to redefine themselves from young offenders to young artists with creative potential.
My analysis of international studies on music programs in youth detention centres found music can help young people to process trauma, build confidence, improve self-regulation, engage with learning, establish positive social relationships, and generate the hope needed to imagine new futures. When we include music programs run for justice-engaged youth in community settings, researchers have identified more than 560 wellbeing benefits, including reductions in aggression and violence, a sense of cultural identity and belonging, and improveme.
