Wanted: Prison patrons to help create a more effective justice system

Changing Tunes, the charity that works to reduce reoffending through music, is looking to appoint a prison patron for every prison in which they work.

According to the ministry, ex-prisoners who actively participated in its programme of music in prisons have a reconviction rate of less than 15 per cent, compared to the national average of 61 per cent.

To continue this work, it is seeking individuals who can adopt local Changing Tunes musicians in residence, and become the prison patron for a specific prison.

Prison patrons are needed around the south of the country, from Bristol to Staines, and would be required to do four things:

1 - to donate £9000 a year

2 - to meet with the Changing Tunes musician in residence at least twice
a year

3 - To support that musician through occasionally enabling introductions
in the local community, wherever possible

4 - To help Changing Tunes find the next prison patron to take over from
them - we would like people to commit to a minimum of two years' support.

"We would be prepared to look at one or more individuals joining together to fulfil this role - maybe a couple, or a small group," said Changing Tunes Director Tim Snowdon.

"We currently work in prisons near Bristol, Gloucester, Winchester, Isle of Wight, Exeter, Shepton Mallet, Portsmouth, Staines, Shaftesbury and Devizes.

"This scheme will give people an opportunity not only to practically support local
rehabilitative work, that will benefit your local community, but also give you a voice in creating a more effective justice system."