Erwin James reports on the effect musicians visiting prisons may have on the inmates

'They brought us in some peace' It can be a cynical publicity stunt. But sometimes the visit of a musician to a prison can be a transformative experience for prisoner and player alike. Erwin James reports Friday July 4, 2008 The Guardian Short of illicit substances, music is the most effective anaesthetic to the pain of long or short-term incarceration. Most prisoners these days have CD players and a decent collection of albums to listen to and to share with their neighbours. Many forward-thinking prison governors are aware of the power that music has to touch damaged and broken lives. The more enlightened invite musicians in to gig in their jails, and many accept. The Irish singer/songwriter Foy Vance for example, who writes the most hopeful songs I've ever heard, played in a number of prisons last year including New Hall... [read full story]