The Kowhai Project has been teaching Otago Corrections Facility inmates the art of songwriting for the past 18 months. For a year and a-half she has worked with prisoners at Otago Corrections Facility, teaching them to play the ukulele and, most importantly, how to write their own songs. The Kowhai Project, as the pilot programme has been dubbed, culminated in a recent concert where inmates got to show off their talents alongside their mentor. Intense focus quickly relaxed into a raised eyebrow between performers and wide grins by the end as they were applauded by staff and fellow inmates. Annah Mac got in touch with Corrections about helping prisoners find their musical voice.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 08, 2018 15:56 UTC