Music Behind Bars - Rap Concert in the Juvenile Detention Center - Berlin’s young inmates turn pain into rap behind prison walls
Inside a Berlin youth detention centre, inmates are finding their voice through rap. Twice a year, they take the stage for live performances in front of an outside audience. The initiative began as part of a long-running music programme aimed at giving young detainees a creative outlet.
Since 2005, the Helmuth Hübener School inside the prison has hosted weekly music workshops. These sessions are led by school principal Birgit Lang and music coach Jörn Hedtke. The goal is simple: to let inmates express their dreams, frustrations, and personal stories through music.
The rap concerts and workshops provide a rare platform for young inmates to share their experiences. By turning personal stories into music, the programme gives them visibility and a sense of purpose. The initiative’s impact stretches beyond the prison walls, shaping Berlin’s hip-hop scene in unexpected ways.
