KINGSTON, Jamaica — YARD Empire, a pioneering organization, has harnessed the transformative power of music to positively impact the lives of inmates at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre. Through its recently concluded summer program, the initiative introduced incarcerated individuals to music theory and methodology, yielding promising results in behavior and well-being improvements. Founder Iris ‘Terri’ Salmon highlighted the program’s success, noting reduced disruptive behavior and enhanced overall morale among participants. Facility staff also observed significant changes in the demeanor and conduct of those involved. While formal research is still pending, Salmon emphasized the positive anecdotal evidence supporting the program’s effectiveness. She underscored the importance of addressing underlying issues such as trauma and providing inmates with productive outlets for rehabilitation. Salmon also pointed to a broader societal shift in Jamaica’s approach to incarceration, focusing not only on serving sentences but also on equipping inmates with skills for successful reintegration into society. She explained that life behind bars often fosters survival mechanisms that hinder reintegration, making programs like YARD’s crucial for creating a classroom-like environment that prioritizes learning over survival. Salmon advocated for more educational and skills-based initiatives, citing a RAND Corporation study that links prison education and vocational training to reduced reoffending and increased post-release employment opportunities. YARD Empire’s summer program featured three key components: creative writing, reading music, and a course on gender-based violence led by instructors from the Bureau of Gender Affairs. By teaching practical skills and fostering genuine interests, such as music, the program aims to empower inmates for life beyond bars.