What Researchers say
"I come from a background in Forensic Psychology, where my focus has been primarily on Offending...
"I come from a background in Forensic Psychology, where my focus has been primarily on Offending Behaviour Programmes and other accredited courses. I was asked to be involved in an evaluation of the Good Vibrations Gamelan in Prisons Project by a colleague, and have to admit that I came to the research as a sceptic. However, seeing the impact that completing this project has on offenders has opened my eyes to the value of work like this. The project had real value in improving the attitudes and behaviour of those who take part."
Conclusions of Continuing Positive Change, an evaluation carried out in 2010 by a team of criminologists at Birmingham City University, looking at the longer-term impact on Good Vibrations participants:
"The key findings from this research suggest that Good Vibrations:...
"The key findings from this research suggest that Good Vibrations:
- Acts as a catalyst for change in the lives of offenders, and that this positive change is sustained as offenders move through the prison system and out into the community.
- Has a significant impact on male and female offenders in the general prison population and in therapeutic communities.
- Has a significant impact upon offenders over and above participation in a therapeutic regime.
- Significantly improves confidence, listening and communication skills, tolerance, levels of self-expression, and ability to cope with stress and prison life. For many participants these changes are sustained in the long-term.
- Enhances participants' levels of engagement with further education and training.
- Has a significant positive impact upon the emotional well-being of female offenders.
- Is responsive to the differing needs of men and women in prison.
"Overall, what this report tells us is that participating in Good Vibrations can provide...
"Overall, what this report tells us is that participating in Good Vibrations can provide the starting-block for positive change in offenders. Many project participants are able to leverage the impetus from the project and use this to go on to achieve, both personally and practically. Participants experience sustained positive, emotional, psychological, and behavioural improvements. However, what is also clear is that offenders involved in a therapeutic regime are more able to build upon the positive benefits experienced through Good Vibrations, and thus thought needs to be given in the general prison system as to how positive changes can be sustained and further developed. The findings suggest the results of our previous research can be applied more generally, but this is the first time these effects have been identified as being sustained long-term both institutionally and in the community.
"The report highlights the potential for arts-based programmes - such as Good Vibrations...
"The report highlights the potential for arts-based programmes - such as Good Vibrations - and more traditional programmes in prison to complement one another. Supporting programmes like Good Vibrations helps give the widest number of offenders a chance to cope with prison, tackle their needs, and hopefully go on to become non-offenders in the future."
Conclusions of Promoting Positive Change, an evaluation carried out in 2008 by the Centre for Criminal Justice Policy & Research, Birmingham City University:
"The key findings from this research suggest that six months after completing a Good Vibrations project...
"The key findings from this research suggest that six months after completing a Good Vibrations project participants experienced:
- Greater levels of engagement and an increased openness to wider learning;
- Improved listening and communication skills;
- Improved social skills and increased social interaction;
- Improved relationships with prison staff; and
- Decreased levels of self-reported anger and a greater sense of calmness.
In short, the study concludes that participating in a Good Vibrations project has a sustained and positive emotional and psychological impact on participants, leading to positive behavioural change. This suggests that expanded support for innovative projects like Good Vibrations would have significant benefits for prisons and the prison system as a whole."
Extracts from All Together Now, an evaluation in 2007 of the therapeutic benefits of Good Vibrations, by Professor Alison Liebling at Cambridge University:
"(Good Vibrations) presented an opportunity for participants to reflect upon their lives without...
"(Good Vibrations) presented an opportunity for participants to reflect upon their lives without the potentially intimidating context of formal 'therapy'."
"At other times, the Gamelan music produced by the participants carried meaning for them that...
"At other times, the Gamelan music produced by the participants carried meaning for them that they could not verbalise, or perhaps did not
consciously recognise. One participant reported to the group how she felt the
music spoke to her soul and calmed her in a way she could not describe.
Other participants expressed similar sentiments - that they had experienced a
sensation of peace and connection that they could not do justice to through
verbal description."
"Coming from lives often characterised by abuse, oppression, or lack of opportunity, an experience...
"Coming from lives often characterised by abuse, oppression, or lack of opportunity, an experience where each individual's opinions were valued had
great therapeutic potential."
"Increasingly, towards the end of the week, group members spontaneously and independently controlled...
"Increasingly, towards the end of the week, group members spontaneously and independently controlled their own behaviour, without needing prompts
from the more focussed group members."
"The (project) provided motivation for the development of a respectful and focussed group environment,...
"The (project) provided motivation for the development of a respectful and focussed group environment, but also for the development of skills with which
to achieve this."
"The manner in which the course was delivered may have helped to prepare vulnerable participants...
"The manner in which the course was delivered may have helped to prepare vulnerable participants for more formal therapy by developing their sense of
empowerment, their communication and interpersonal skills, and their
willingness to make themselves vulnerable in front of a group of peers."
"In many ways, the workshop increased women's interest in many things (including the music...
"In many ways, the workshop increased women's interest in many things (including the music perse), and their willingness to participate in other
courses and activities."
Extracts from Breaking Down The Walls, an evaluation in 2006 of the educational benefits of Good Vibrations, by Professor David Wilson:
"Good Vibrations gets prisoners into the education department, many of whom would never have...
"Good Vibrations gets prisoners into the education department, many of whom would never have considered enrolling on 'basic maths or English', and
as such, for many of those who participate, the project acts as a gateway to
other learning."
"(Good Vibrations) encourages prisoners who have been isolated to develop social and group...
"(Good Vibrations) encourages prisoners who have been isolated to develop social and group skills, and in doing so has the ability to also facilitate
changes to thinking and behaviour."
"That (Good Vibrations) also facilitated the prison's achievement of a Key Performance Target...
"That (Good Vibrations) also facilitated the prison's achievement of a Key Performance Target is significant, especially as it would seem to have been
achieved at a financial cost that was lower than would have been the case had
more traditional educational courses been purchased by the prison."
"It is quite clear that the project can play a major role in empowering prisoners to take their...
"It is quite clear that the project can play a major role in empowering prisoners to take their first steps towards stopping committing crime."
For a copy of any of these reports in full, please contact us.
