Four inmates performed their self-made rap for Norway’s Minister of Cultur, Anniken Huitfeldt.

- It was very exciting to get a visit from the Minister of Culture in person, according to "Skio" one of the inmates who performed with a self-made rap during the informal arrangement. The prison visit came about as a result of an initiative from the Minister of Culture Anniken Huitfeldt herself.

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Text and Photo: Knut-Erik Rønningen,
Translation: Colin Jeneson, published 06.07.10.

The occasion was the annual allocation from the Ministry of Culture for cultural activities under the auspices of the Norwegian Correctional Services. Th Norwegian Music Studies Association (Musikkens studieforbund) received NOK 250 000 for its activity ‘Music in Prison and in Freedom’ which now has departments in 22 of the country’s prisons.

Father in prison
The Minister of Culture, Anniken Huitfeldt, was greeted by four inmates who performed a self-made rap. The Minister turned out to be a sporty and informal lady herself, who was very quick to strike the right tone!

It soon appeared that she already knew quite a lot about the Correctional Services. -My father used to work at Ullersmo Prison and I went to work many times with him, comments Anniken Huitfeldt. Her father is Iver Huitfeldt who was previously Assistant Director at Ullersmo Prison.

Music in Prison and in Freedom
This project started up in 1991 at Bredtveit Prison. In 1996 the project was linked to the Norwegian Music Council (Norsk Musikkråd) - now the Music Studies Association (Musikkens studieforbund). Over the years its activities in Oslo expanded and the project set the target of becoming a nationwide activity. They now have activities at altogether 22 custodial establishments.

The main goal is to make the inmate better prepared to master his freedom after release and in this way contribute to avoiding regression to drugs, alcohol and crime. The most important instruments in our work to achieve this are the music groups both in the prison and outside. It is important to build a bridge between time in prison and time after release. This is done by following up the participants closely after their period inside. It is therefore the same musicians that run the project inside and outside the establishment.  

Erland proved to be very talented behind the drums; a seldom pleasure indeed to be able to experience a real drummer in a rap group!

Our new Prison Manager Stig Storvik accepted, on behalf of the prison, the gift from Marit Tangen, Chair Person in ‘Music in Prison and in Freedom’. "Skio" is seen here thanking her for the gift which was a Cubase music studio program.

The ceremony in the Leisure Department concluded with Eline Moe Melgalvis presenting a so-called cultural crowbar to the Minister.