Jailhouse rocks: Inmates clean up in battle of bands

The jailbirds' band took out the best vocalist and best band trophies in Ngawha Prison's inaugural Battle of the Bands. Photo / Debbie Beadle

A battle between staff and inmates at Ngawha Prison has been won resoundingly by the prisoners.

There's not need to worry, however - this was a battle of musical talent involving mics and guitars instead of fists and batons.

The inaugural Battle of the Bands saw prisoners and Corrections staff in a musical duel celebrating New Zealand Music Month and the success of the jail's informal music programme.

Each band had to choose two Kiwi songs with the staff band performing

Slipping Away

by Max Merritt and the Meteors and

Don't Dream it's Over

by Crowded House, while the prisoners opted for Hello Sailor's

Blue Lady

and

Don't Forget Your Roots

by Six60.

Judging panel members, from left, Tracy de Leeuw, Dave Gorrie and Billy Kristian. Photo / Debbie Beadle

The jailbirds were convincing winners of both the best singer and best band trophies.

The contest was organised by corrections officer Claire Braiden, who had a career singing in pubs and clubs in the UK before coming to New Zealand two years ago.

Despite being on the losing end of the battle she said it was an "absolutely amazing day" and she was already looking forward to the next one.

The judges were legendary bass player and producer Billy Kristian, Waipapa musician Dave "Guru" Gorrie, Kerikeri Theatre Company musical director Tracy de Leeuw and Corrections facilitator Matt Keen, who scored the bands on ability, vocals and presentation.

The prisoners' band on their way to victory in Ngawha's inaugural Battle of the Bands. Photo / Debbie Beadle

Also taking part in the event were a band from the Kea youth wing, playing original songs dedicated to mothers and the Anzacs, and the Shakespeare Behind Bars drama group who performed their own version of Hamlet.

Corrections' acting northern regional commissioner, Alastair Riach, said the music programme offered prisoners a chance to develop social skills in addition to the work skills they were gaining to prepare them for reintegration into the community.

"One of the young men I spoke to wants to be a builder and is gaining building skills. But, through his membership of the drama and music groups at the prison, he has discovered the ability to project with confidence to an audience - to such an extent that he's been advised to join an organisation like Toastmasters on his release," Mr Riach said.

The music initiative also backed up other programmes to reduce the use of drugs and alcohol and to address the causes of offending.

About 10 inmates meet on average once a fortnight as part of the music programme. An Anzac-themed rap they recorded, Gallipoli, won an Arts Access Aotearoa award in 2016.