Music and Youth Rehabilitation: Examining Music-Based Programmes in Nigerian Correctional Centres in Enugu State

This study examines the implementation and outcomes of music-based rehabilitation programmes within correctional centres housing young offenders in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. There is growing international evidence that participatory music-making reduces recidivism, builds emotional regulation skills, and improves the social reintegration prospects of young people in correctional settings. However, the extent to which Nigerian correctional institutions adopt music as a formal rehabilitation tool remains largely uninvestigated. This research assesses current music activities offered at Enugu State correctional centres, the frequency and structure of these activities, and the perspectives of correctional officers, social workers, and inmates regarding their impact. A qualitative case study design is employed, incorporating in-depth interviews with 15 young inmates, 10 staff members, and 5 programme facilitators, as well as observation of ongoing music activities. Document analysis of rehabilitation programme records supplements qualitative data. The study is grounded in creative arts therapy literature, criminology, and youth development frameworks relevant to sub-Saharan Africa. Findings will provide a situational analysis of music rehabilitation in Enugu State correctional settings and recommend evidence-based programme models adaptable to the Nigerian correctional system at large. Keywords: Music rehabilitation, youth offenders, correctional centres, Enugu State, creative arts therapy.