Music Album for two previously incarcerated women

Upon release from prison, offenders face countless of challenges (Davis, Bahr & Ward, 2012:447; Seiter & Kadela, 2003:361; Shinkfield & Graffam, 2009:30). These barriers become an obstruction to rehabilitation and increase ex-offenders' chances of reoffending. Davis et al. (2012:447) note that the prison environment is obviously different from mainstream society.

The stigma that surrounds a former convict follows like a cloud of judgement and negativity wherever they go. That stigma places a barrier securing a job once released from prison. It would seem that prospective employers view employing ex-offenders as a risk not worth taking. In other words, society is unforgiving when it comes to giving second chances and offering employment opportunities to ex-offenders. While this may be understandable, denying ex-offenders an opportunity to be gainfully employed is simply counter-productive.

It's clear that there's not enough support to help ex-prisoners stay out of the correctional system. Helping ex-prisoners successfully reintegrate into society will not only reduce costly recidivism rates, but, in many cases, will help break the intergenerational cycle of criminality and the same time they will also be assisted with skills, career and enterprise development.

Offender reintegration entails the process of transition from imprisonment into mainstream society. During reintegration, it is critical that professionals, families and communities get to support ex-offenders in their quest to find their footing and avoid going back to a life of crime (Zondi, 2012:766)

Against this backdrop, that Modiehi Mongale Foundation, based in South Africa, was re-established in order to assist previously incarcerated individuals generate income from their God-given talent. By this we aim to reduce the cycle of re-offending, poverty and encourage skills and career development.

We wish to produce, market and distribute two music albums of two previously incarcerated women whom would like to share their journey through music.