Choral Singing in Prisons: How Group Singing Programmes Contribute to Self-Esteem, Identity and Reintegration

Abstract

This thesis examines the potential benefits of choral music in the lives of those who are incarcerated. By using Heartbeat Opera’s production of Fidelio as a case study, I explore how the work engages with racism and mass incarceration through the use of inmates from six different prison choirs to form the Prisoner’s Chorus. I argue that choral singing helps inmates to regain a sense of self-esteem and identity, and I investigate these topics through a socio-criminological lens using Howard Becker’s Labelling Theory and Christopher Mruk’s two-factor concept of self-esteem. Reflections shared by prison choir singers, facilitators and volunteers are discussed in the context of reintegration, specifically Shadd Maruna’s ritualization of reintegration. These shared testimonies from participants suggest that group singing successfully incorporates all four pillars of Maruna’s idea of reintegration rituals to help those who are returning back to society at large.