New Bell prison in Douala, Cameroon, often described as a city within a city, has developed its own internal systems including inmate-run message delivery, informal law enforcement, and a bustling market. At the heart of this unique ecosystem is Jail Time Records, a music studio and record label founded within the prison walls that gives inmates a creative outlet and a voice beyond their confinement.

Music as Resistance and Redemption

Established in 2018 by former inmate Steve Happi and Italian artist Dione Roach, Jail Time Records began after Roach witnessed prisoners freestyling during a dance class. With prison authorities' approval, the studio was set up, offering inmates a chance to produce music and even hold concerts within the facility.

The label has already produced mini stars like Empereur, a gang leader whose music video filmed inside the prison has garnered over 24,000 views on YouTube. Their songs have attracted listeners internationally, from South Africa to the US and Argentina.

Documenting Life Behind Bars

A documentary named after the studio, directed by Happi and Roach, chronicles six years inside New Bell, highlighting the power of music amid harsh prison conditions. The film won three awards, including Best Documentary Feature at New York's Tribeca Film Festival.

One featured artist, Stone, a former soldier sentenced to 10 years, uses rap to express his struggles and longing for family connection. The film captures both the creativity and the challenges faced by inmates in the overcrowded and violent prison environment.

Challenges and Impact

  • New Bell houses roughly 4,700 inmates, quadruple its capacity, leading to dire living conditions and disease outbreaks.
  • Despite the prison's reputation for violence, Jail Time Records operates with the support of prison officials, who even participated in concerts.
  • The project extends to female inmates, with artists like Jeje emerging from the women’s wing.
  • Jail Time Records has expanded beyond Cameroon, opening a studio in Burkina Faso’s capital, aiming to replicate its success.

Happi emphasizes that the project fosters rehabilitation and self-discovery, providing inmates with a sense of purpose and connection to society. Through music, those behind bars find a "lantern for a brighter future," shifting from isolation to hope.