Connection through Music for Mothers and Young Children in Prison

Abstract

This chapter examines a particular sector of music practice that is seemingly underrepresented in the literature: music-making between mothers and their children residing together in custody. A scoping review of literature on music and attachment, music in prisons, and women’s experiences of custody was undertaken to explore how music is—or could be—used between mothers and their children to form positive attachment bonds in custody. At the time of this research, only one study was found that specifically examines music-making with mothers and their young children living in custody together (Rodrigues et al., 2010). Through their experience as practitioners teaching music in criminal justice settings, the authors know that wider practice exists, but this review suggests that it is not reflected in the academic literature. Given the importance of music-making for child development, this suggests a significant gap and presents a powerful case for future research.