Jail Guitar Doors: A case study of guitar and songwriting instruction in Cook County Jail

Abstract

Jail Guitar Doors USA (JGD USA) is an initiative that provides guitars and songwriting instruction in correctional facilities. Founded in 2009, JGD USA is currently in 100 jails, prisons and youth facilities with a waiting list of 50. This study examined the phenomenon of JGD USA in Cook County Jail (Chicago, Illinois) and was guided by the following research question: How do participants describe their experiences in the case of JGD USA in Cook County Jail? Participants consisted of six adult male residents. Other data sources included interviews with the class teacher, the jail administrator who implemented JGD USA, Billy Bragg (founder of the original JGD) and Wayne Kramer (founder of JGD USA). This study employed instrumental case study methodology in order to explore a real-world phenomenon of guitar instruction in jail. Data sources included observation, a focus group interview, four semi-structured phone interviews and examination of lyrics and chord structure. Data were coded for emergent themes. Analysis of data sources revealed themes of group dynamics, expression, flow and intrinsic motivation. Other findings included insights related to the benefits of guitar and songwriting instruction in correctional settings.