A music therapy group intervention in an Italian prison: The subjective impact of a pilot program

Purpose: Evidence showed that music therapy may reduce mental health problems in different clinical settings, including prison. Compared to international experiences, music therapy experiences in Italian prisons are poor. The aim of the current article was to describe a 6-month period of group music therapy activities within the Parma Penitentiary Institute (PPI). Results: Different music therapy experiences (improvisation, song listening, song performance) were reported, culminating in the creation of a new song as a spontaneous final product of the group activity. We also commented on thoughts and emotions experienced by group participants and the music therapist during this creative music process. The music therapy group included 6 PPI adult male prisoners with mental health problems. The lyrics of the song (“I ask for forgiveness”) were also reported. Conclusions: A song creation process should be implemented together with other music therapy activities in Italian prisons, especially for its high creative value and its intrinsic ability in favoring the expression of prisoners’ subjective emotional, social and cognitive experiences.