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The notorious prison in Cameroon with its own record label

2026-07-26 07:38:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The notorious prison in Cameroon with its own record label

In the heart of the infamous New Bell prison in Douala, Cameroon, an unusual project is changing the lives of prisoners through music.

Jail Time Records, the music studio set up inside the prison, gives convicts the opportunity to record songs, make music videos, and share their stories with the public.

Founded in 2018 by former prisoner Steve Happi and Italian artist Dione Roach, the studio has become a space for creativity and rehabilitation.

Its artists have gained thousands of followers online, while the album "Jail Time Vol. 1" and music videos shot inside prison have attracted international attention.

The story of the project is documented in the film "Jail Time Records," which was shot over six years at the New Bell and recently won three awards at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, including the award for best documentary.

The documentary follows the lives of several prisoners, including Stone, sentenced to 10 years in prison, who through music tries to keep his connection with his daughter alive and narrate his experiences.

Although New Bell is known for overcrowding, harsh conditions, and violence, project leaders emphasize that the music is not intended to justify crimes, but to create opportunities for rehabilitation and reflection for prisoners.

With the support of prison authorities, Jail Time Records has expanded outside Cameroon, opening a similar studio in Ouagadougou Central Prison in Burkina Faso.

For many prisoners, music has become a window of hope and an opportunity to build a different future, even behind bars./ CNA





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