Vision: Security and Diversity - with opportunities for everyone

Norwegian version
  Norwegian version

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
 

 

OSLO PRISON BLUES

29.03.2007

Monica from 'Venjas Harem' in true 'gut-wrenching' rock harmony together with popular Norwegian Artist,
Askild Holm!

 

We could hardly have been closer to the atmosphere generated by the film "Walk The Line", when Johnny Cash renders 'Folsom Prison Blues' in San Quentin State Prison. Popular Norwegian Artist, Askild Holm's guest performance, together with the girl band 'Venjas Harem', provided a never forgotten ending to the arrangement entitled "Music in prison and in freedom" at Oslo Prison. As well as inmates, many invited guests and a large representation from the press also attended. 

The project "Music in prison and in freedom" was established in 1991 at Bredtveit Prison, Oslo - a prison for females. The project was linked to the Norwegian Music Council (now Norwegian Music Study Association) in 1996. The range of activities in Oslo has increased during the years since its inauguration and the project aims to be established nationwide. Activities are currently organized at 10 custodial establishments in a total of 9 different counties.

The main goal of the different projects is to equip inmates to be better prepared to make use of their leisure time after release, and through this to contribute to fewer incidents of resorting to stimulants such as alcohol and drugs, as well as crime. The most important initiatives consist of music groups both inside the prison and on the outside. Bridge-building between the period of imprisonment and the time after release is a central consideration This is achieved by close monitoring and support of participants after their period in prison. Therefore, we operate with the same music assistants as project facilitators inside the prison as outside the premises.

 

View our slide show of all pictures from the concert here

View recordings and interviews from the concert at VG nett

View the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation's (NRK) local TV coverage here

 

Stand-up comedian, Alex Rosén, was the master of ceremonies and made a point of the natural development there had been, based on the fact that after producing a number of programmes for NRK that had subsequently been forbidden, he was finally on stage in prison …

 

   First on stage, the prison's own rappers "Rhime Jaw & Brown".
 

Nora Gotaas, researcher, had written an evaluation report which deals with the project's various activities, and which she referred to. The title of the report is: "Rocka stabilitet" (Norwegian NIBR-report 2006:8).
She was extremely positive about the project and concluded that "Music in Prison and in Freedom" should cease to be a project and instead be secured stable and predictable resource conditions.

 

 

  

Alone with his classical guitar, Askild Holm had no problems whatsoever in engaging the audience.

 

Director of Oslo Prison, Are Høidal, in conversation with Nils Christie, Professor of Criminology.

 

HOME or back to the ARCHIVES

   Askild Holm together with 'Venjas Harem'.