Good Sorts: Evan Davies 

Source: ONE News

• WATCH the video (2:12)

Evan Davies has made the walk into Spring Hills Prison many times, but Sunday is different - he has a care package for some prisoners.

Davies is the prisoners' music teacher and when he brought in a CD and played it, all his students knew the words. That is because they wrote and produced the songs.

The prisoners were not even sure Davies would come back, but he says he had come to give them their album, which he named If These Walls Could Speak.

"Today they are going to feel like pretty special human beings, I think everyone needs to feel that regardless of where you are at and today, damn straight, they are going to feel like that, which is awesome," Davies says.

One of the prisoners says making music with Davies was one of the best experiences he has ever had, next to having children.

"In prison the only thing you have is time - time to think, time to write and time to express their emotions. They write about love and loss," Davies says.

Sixty percent of prisoners are illiterate, so prison bosses say getting them to write, even songs, helps.

Every person in the Spring Hills facility will be released into the community and the best way prison bosses say to protect the community, is that they help change behaviour while the prisoners are incarcerated. They believe teaching music is one of the methods to do that. 

Davies says people can buy these songs on iTunes and online. The prisoners have decided the profits will go to Canteen.

If you want to buy the CD, go to prisonsongs.co.nz

Do you know someone who is a "Good Sort" that ONE News should talk to? Click here to nominate them here

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TheHoltens ; 2009-12-21 @ 11:34 NZDT  

The piece about Mark Granthams brought tears to my eyes. What an inspirational young man. Has made me look at myself and realise what little I do for the wider community. Thanks Mark :)

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simplicity ; 2009-11-15 @ 22:41 NZDT  

Arthur Drower What an amazing man 60yrs in the fire service and 21 in St Johns, Funeral is at 11am Tok Club then He will take his last call from the fire station where he will be driven in a fire truck pass his house and back to the station, The Ambulance that he first drove will be driven down with 10 of the Auckland Ambo Team. Firemen from all around NZ will be making there way to what I am sure will be the largest Funeral that Tokoroa has seen. I am proud to have known a man so warm & Caring

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tabby ; 2009-11-01 @ 21:49 NZDT  

For 2 years Tapai was someone who made our day as I took my daughter to chemo everyweek. You are a blessing to so many and I pray Gods blessings upon your life thank you so much Tapai, my daughter died but just loved seeing you and if you were not there we would go oh no now where to park. thanks you so much keep blessing other people as they go through this time in their life.

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roset ; 2009-09-27 @ 18:03 NZDT  

Gill Fahey has done more than anyone can ever know for waifs and strays, new comers, neighbours, friends, family and strangers. She is the genuine example of a silent angel.

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nolaann ; 2009-09-14 @ 16:57 NZDT  

How can I find out about becoming a volunteer in a programme like this. I enjoy talking to people from other places.

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