Work to create a choir with some of the 'most dangerous' young men in the UK in Aylesbury has been praised by TV viewers.
Choirmaster Gareth Malone has been back on our screens the past two nights, seen working with inmates at Aylesbury Prison.
The show has been widely praised on social media for how it has highlighted the needs of the young men within the prison and how working with Gareth changed them.
@GarethMalone wow. Aylesbury. So powerful and moving. I pray the powers that be see how music can change lives. Thank you!
— Clare Kennedy 🏴🇪🇺🇫🇷 (@53clare) January 8, 2020
@GarethMalone excellent project with Aylesbury prison residents and staff. Big well done for a finale that delivered. Those bright young lads seemed properly chuffed, and I think you connected with them in a positive way. 👏
— JanetInTheUK (@JanetintheUK) January 8, 2020
@GarethMalone AMAZING two part series in Aylesbury. So full of emotion and once again I take my hat off to you. You have such a great mission - music is really powerful and it shows clearly here, also how great you are at connecting and bringing out people's creative side :-)
— Lisbeth Flach (@LisbethFlach) January 8, 2020
Loved watching @garethmalone programme in HMP & YOI Aylesbury last night. So much talent amongst the people featured. All they needed was support and encouragement. Moved to tears at the end. Brilliant.
— Colin Davies (@ridge_intl) January 8, 2020
Speaking before the show aired, Laura Sapwell, Governor of Aylesbury, said:
"This was a powerful project which has had a profound impact on the prisoners and staff involved.
"I truly believe that all our prisoners can turn their lives around and we offer a range of opportunities to work, learn and develop new skills to help them do this.
"Our prisoners have all committed serious and often violent crimes, but our duty is to protect the public by rehabilitating them so they are less likely to reoffend and cause further victims."
Praise has come from all over, including from Aylesbury's MP:
Huge admiration for @hmpps & @GarethMalone for The Choir in #Aylesbury young offenders institute. Shows the challenges faced daily by staff but also how prisoners can, with help, change for the better @CEOofHMPPS @RobertBuckland @lucyfrazermp @neill_bob @PRTuk @TheHowardLeague
— Rob Butler (@RobBAylesbury) January 6, 2020
Watched @GarethMalone inspirational #choir at #Aylesbury prison last night and woke up this morning humming some of the prisoners songs! How did that happen? There will no better TV than this in 2020.
— Rogersahota (@rogersahota) January 8, 2020
@GarethMalone #thechoir Totally inspiring, genuine and gripping TV last night at Aylesbury Prison.Uniting people through music, emotions and creativity. Bravo 👏 #BBC2 at its best!
— Sophia Hurdley (@SophiaHurdley) January 8, 2020
