Awareness

/ Jail Guitar Doors USA

In 1978, The Clash released the song, “Jail Guitar Doors.”  The song tells the story of the imprisonment of their fellow musician Wayne Kramer.  In 2007, to honor the life of Clash founder, Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg launched an initiative in England to provide musical equipment used to rehabilitate UK inmates serving time in Her Majesty’s Prisons.  His initiative is named for that very same song, “Jail Guitar Doors.” In 2009, Wayne Kramer partnered with Bragg to found Jail Guitar Doors USA.  Together, their combined effort continues the mission for prisoners in America.

Jail Guitar Doors USA believes prisoners provided with the musical tools to create songs of their own can achieve a positive change of attitude that can initiate the work necessary to successfully return to life outside prison walls.  Creating music, along with other educational and vocational programs can be a profound force for positive change in a prisoner’s life.  Outside of prisons, JGD USA produces events and campaigns to raise funds and bring awareness to prison reform issues and solutions.  They seek to work in coalition with social service partner organizations to advance successful ex-prisoner transitions back into the community after incarceration.

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