Douala, Cameroon (Running Africa) — Inside the walls of New Bell Prison in Douala, an extraordinary music project is redefining rehabilitation by transforming incarcerated musicians into recording artists with audiences around the world.

Since 2018, Jail Time Records has operated as a fully functioning record label from inside one of Cameroon’s most notorious prisons, giving inmates the opportunity to write, record, and release original music while developing creative skills and hope for life beyond incarceration.

The initiative has gained international recognition for demonstrating how music can become a powerful tool for rehabilitation, personal transformation, and social reintegration.

How Jail Time Records Began

The project was founded after Italian artist Dione Roach, who was volunteering at New Bell Prison, discovered inmates showcasing their freestyle abilities during a dance workshop.

Inspired by their talent, Roach secured approval from prison authorities to establish a modest recording studio inside the correctional facility.

She later partnered with Steve Happi, a former New Bell inmate, who now serves as a producer and sound engineer, helping incarcerated artists professionally record and produce their music.

Together, they created Jail Time Records, offering prisoners a creative outlet and a platform to share their stories through music.

From Prison Cells to Global Audiences

Over the past several years, the label has produced multiple singles and music videos filmed entirely inside New Bell Prison.

Several artists have attracted international attention through digital streaming platforms and social media.

Among them is an inmate performing under the stage name Empereur, whose music has attracted tens of thousands of views on YouTube, introducing audiences around the world to stories of resilience, redemption, and hope from behind prison walls.

The growing popularity of the artists has highlighted the transformative role that creative expression can play within correctional institutions.

Award-Winning Documentary Brings Global Recognition

The remarkable journey of Jail Time Records has now reached an international audience through a documentary filmed over six years by Dione Roach and Steve Happi.

The film recently received widespread acclaim at the Tribeca Film Festival, winning three awards, including the prestigious Best Documentary Feature honor.

The documentary chronicles the lives of incarcerated musicians and explores how music has reshaped their identities while challenging global perceptions of rehabilitation and prison life.

Creativity as a Path to Rehabilitation

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi, who served as executive producer, praised the project as a compelling example of how creativity can inspire hope, dignity, and second chances.

The success of Jail Time Records has sparked broader conversations about the role of arts programs in correctional facilities and how creative opportunities can contribute to rehabilitation, reduce stigma, and support successful reintegration into society.

As the record label continues to grow, New Bell Prison is emerging not only as a correctional institution but also as an unexpected center for artistic expression, demonstrating that talent and opportunity can flourish even in the most unlikely places.