Singing Towards Freedom: An Exploration of Music Therapy Practices in Norwegian Prison Contexts

Abstract

This narrative review explores the impacts of music therapy in Norwegian prisons as a powerful model for international mental health efforts for incarcerated populations. Exploring international prisoner mental health trends, Norway’s successful prison model, and challenges to Nordic prison contexts, significant background information explores the complex context around prisoner mental health and why Norway provides the best existent context for studying and implementing music therapy as a novel intervention. Looking at both qualitative and quantitative studies, this paper explores the effects of music therapy in Norwegian prisons. Though music therapy is difficult to study by its long-term nature, recent research speaks to music therapy as a viable treatment option that is effectively implementable in prison contexts and provide much needed help to incarcerated individuals. Many qualitative studies speak to this, focusing on how case studies and experiences with small cohorts create a personal experience for those receiving music therapy. In all of the qualitative studies explored, music therapy helped incarcerated Norwegian patients reach mental health goals in ways that other interventions had not been successful. Quantitative studies feature more ambiguous results, but all suggest successes for music therapy and suggest future experiments that have adequate ability to cover patients over longer timespans in more consistent incarceration contexts. Further exploration of all studies present inspire hope that music therapy can be successfully implemented further in Norwegian and international contexts.