Prelims

Half Title

Music, Mattering, and Criminalized Young Men

Series Page

EMERALD STUDIES IN CULTURE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE ARTS

Series Editors:

• Yvonne Jewkes

  University of Bath, UK

• Travis Linnemann

  Kansas State University, USA

• Sarah Moore

  University of Bath, UK

This series aims to take criminological inquiry in new and imaginative directions by publishing books that represent all forms of criminal justice from an ‘arts’ or ‘cultural’ perspective and that have something new to tell us about space, place and sensory experience as they relate to forms of justice. Building on emergent interest in the ‘cultural’, ‘autoethnographic’, ‘emotional’, ‘visual’, ‘narrative’ and ‘sensory’ in criminology, books in the series will introduce readers to imaginative forms of inspiration that deepen our conceptual understanding of the lived experience of punishment and of the process of researching within the criminal justice system, as well as discussing the more well-rehearsed problems of cultural representations of justice.

Specifically, this series provides a platform for original research that explores the myriad ways in which architecture, design, aesthetics, hauntology, atmospheres, fine art, graffiti, visual broadcast media and many other ‘cultural’ perspectives are utilized as ways of seeing and understanding the enduring persistence of, and fascination with, the formal institutions of criminal justice and punishment.

Endorsement Page

Praise for Music, Mattering, and Criminalized Young Men

‘[This] is a reminder that in the melodies of the marginalized, we might find the keys to understanding and change.’

Iris Luarasi, Tirana University, Albania

‘A powerful demonstration of the methodological capacity of music to evoke memory, a sense of mattering and a means of making space for those we work with to share their narratives with agency. Music, Mattering and Criminalized Young Men is sufficiently detailed to provide a how-to for replicating multi-agency research projects, focused on music elicitation amongst criminalized people. In some senses, this is a story about navigating systems and gatekeeping in unfamiliar terrain to explore the constraints of masculinity. Yet it is in the interweaving of individual narratives with those of Albania’s history, and in the stories and experience of the participants, that the book is most potently compelling.’

Kate Herrity, Kings College, University of Cambridge, UK

‘For a discipline so focused on the letter of the law, thinking with music about “crime”, as this book does, opens up our ears to what our eyes can’t see—inviting us to rethink how, why and who criminological research is undertaken for.’

Lambros Fatsis, City, University of London, UK

Title Page

Music, Mattering, and Criminalized Young Men: Exploring Music Elicitation as a Feminist Arts-Based Research and Intervention Tool

BY

JADE LEVELL

University of Bristol, UK

United Kingdom – North America – Japan – India – Malaysia – China

Copyright Page

Emerald Publishing Limited

Emerald Publishing, Floor 5, Northspring, 21-23 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL.

First edition 2024

Copyright © 2024 Jade Levell.

Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited.

Reprints and permissions service

Contact: www.copyright.com

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without either the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying issued in the UK by The Copyright Licensing Agency and in the USA by The Copyright Clearance Center. Any opinions expressed in the chapters are those of the authors. Whilst Emerald makes every effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of its content, Emerald makes no representation implied or otherwise, as to the chapters’ suitability and application and disclaims any warranties, express or implied, to their use.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-1-83753-769-3 (Print)

ISBN: 978-1-83753-768-6 (Online)

ISBN: 978-1-83753-770-9 (Epub)

Dedication

For Frida, Brooke, and Astrid

Contents

About the Author

Dr Jade Levell is a Senior Lecturer in Social and Public Policy (Criminology and Gender Violence) at the University of Bristol. Her research interests include adverse childhood experiences, childhood domestic violence, on-road and gang subcultures, organized crime, masculinity theory, DVA perpetrators, and feminist praxis. She has expertise in Music Elicitation as both a social research tool and an innovative way of listening and working with marginalised groups. She is a co-editor of the Journal of Gender-Based Violence and has published widely on issues related to GBV. Her book, Boys, Childhood Domestic Abuse, and Gang Involvement: Violence at Home, Violence On-Road was published in June 2022 with Policy Press. She has also co-edited a collection published in 2023 with Tara Young and Rod Earle entitled Exploring Urban Youth Culture Outside of the Gang Paradigm: Critical Questions of Youth, Gender and Race On-road (Policy Press). Dr Levell has experience of working internationally on issues of gender equality, gender-based violence, masculinities, vulnerability, youth adversity, and crime.

Foreword

In Music, Mattering, and Criminalized Young Men: Exploring Music Elicitation as a Feminist Arts-Based Research and Intervention Tool, Dr Jade Levell takes us on a compelling journey, exploring the intersections of music, masculinity, and marginalization. Through her innovative use of music elicitation, Dr Levell grants us access to the often-silenced voices of young Albanian men caught in the complex web of criminality and societal expectations.

The opening quote, ‘We were beaten by life’, poignantly captures the essence of the narratives within these pages. This book is not just a collection of academic findings; it is a tapestry of human experiences, woven together by the universal language of music. It’s a narrative that digs deep into the heart of what it means to be a young man in contemporary Albania, struggling under the weight of patriarchal norms and economic hardships. What sets this work apart is its innovative approach of using music elicitation to uncover the emotional and psychological landscape of these individuals.

Dr Levell’s work is ground-breaking in its approach. She transcends traditional research methodologies using music as a tool to unlock the inner worlds of these young men. In doing so, she sheds light on the societal structures and pressures that shape their journeys towards criminalization. This book, thus, serves as a critical lens through which we can view the multifaceted nature of masculinity, adversity, and the quest for a sense of belonging in a rapidly changing world. The journey of this book begins with an international development collaboration aimed at understanding the undercurrents that drive young men towards criminality. Through the power of music, a medium often laden with unspoken emotions and untold stories, this project reveals the deep-seated pain, courage, and struggles faced by these men. Their selections of music tracks become a gateway to their souls, exposing the raw wounds inflicted by a patriarchal society that demands unattainable standards of masculinity and honour.

The stories of these young men, articulated through their musical choices, are stories of pain, hope, resilience, and the human yearning for significance. They challenge us to rethink our perceptions of criminality and to see beyond the labels society often hastily assigns. Dr Levell’s empathetic and nuanced approach reveals the complex interplay of societal expectations, familial pressures, and personal aspirations that these young men navigate. Moreover, this book is a testament to the power of arts-based research in reaching into the depths of human experience, unearthing truths that conventional methods might miss. Dr Levell’s pioneering work in music elicitation stands as a beacon for those seeking to employ more inclusive, empathetic, and holistic approaches in social research and intervention.

As we turn these pages, we are invited not just to read but to listen – to really listen – to the melodies of lives that are too often unheard. In listening, we are compelled to reflect on the broader societal and cultural contexts that shape individual trajectories, particularly those of marginalized groups. This book highlights music’s role as a catalyst for connection, healing, and hope amidst adversity.

In conclusion, Music, Mattering, and Criminalized Young Men is an essential read for scholars, practitioners, and anyone interested in the transformative power of music and the human stories behind societal labels. It is a reminder that in the melodies of the marginalized, we might find the keys to understanding and change.

Iris Luarasi PhD

Former President of GREVIO, Council of Europe 2015–2023

CEO of Executive Director of Counselling Line for Women and Girls and Counselling Line for Men and Boys, Albania

Professor at the Department of Journalism and Communication in Tirana University, Albania

Preface

Sounds

Acknowledgements

Firstly, I would like to offer our sincere thanks to the participants for taking part and sharing their music and memories with us. This research would not have been possible without the openness of all the men who took part. The fieldwork stage was part of a large international team effort. Thank you to Klodiana Thartori, Youth Engagement Lead (Palladium) for managing the research process in Albania, including negotiating access with institutions, coordination between UK and Albania research teams, and coordination with the gatekeepers. Thank you to the Albanian Researchers, Amalia Koleka, Linda Pino, and Klaudio Pulaha (CRCA) for conducting the interviews in prison and community. Thanks to Sara Zekaj for translation of the transcripts. From the Institutions in Albania, I would like to thank General Prison Directorate for giving access for the research in prison; the Probation Services and the team at Aksion Plus. Thanks to Nan Sheppard for assistance with the ethics process and to Bournemouth University ethics panel who approved the work.

The creation of the music elicitation handbook was a team effort. Thanks to Lee Colvin and Adrian Kingswell from SCJS who contributed the safeguarding guidance. Redion Qirjazi and Regina Vathi provided editorial contributions. Thank you to the Albanian design team involved in the translations and production of the handbook.

Thank you to all the training participants who agreed to try something new and different with open minds and hearts. I would like to offer huge thanks to Amalia Koleka who was an excellent co-trainer with me in all regions, co-facilitating, translating, as well as translating all of the training slides. In terms of the training delivery thanks go to Regina Vathi for coordinating the training attendees, as well as Majlinda Vogli for logistics. Thanks to Merita Mece for the evaluation and to Matilda Duri and Alesia Burnaszi for organizing the communication around the training.

Overall, I owe a big thank you to Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers for being an excellent mentor, collaborator, and role model. It was in combining her expertise on Albania and mine on music elicitation which founded this whole project from a seed idea we discussed many years prior. It was an honour to work together, and I am glad that we were able to see our ideas come to life.

A sincere thank you to all the RAYS team in Albania as noted above, led by Redion Qirjazi.

Thank you to the Palladium team including Jenny Hutchinson, Charlotte Blundy, James Sparrow, Victoria Toole, and Ed Pauker. Particular thanks to Ingrida Kerusauskaite for finding the funds to support me to conduct the fieldwork around my family commitments, a real example of feminist leadership.

Thank you to the UK Government Home Office for funding this work and Alastair King-Smith, British Ambassador to Albania, for supporting the project.

A huge appreciative thank you to Will McInerney and Rod Earle who were my beta-readers for this book, giving up their time freely, and offering invaluable suggestions to improve it. Thank you to Ashley Hickson-Lovence and Andrew McMillan for the mentoring at the Arvon masculinities retreat (2023) which encouraged me to try poetry which I included as the preface.

A personal thank you to my family who supported me through the several years that this project lasted. I made numerous trips out to Albania, which would not have been possible without the unending support of my husband Richard. I was also very lucky that my family were up for the adventure and embarked on a trip to Albania with me. Thank you to Richard, Frida, Brooke, Astrid, and Pia for sharing the journey with me and keeping me grounded in your love. The memories will last a lifetime.

This project has been an absolute privilege for me. Getting to know the people and lands of Albania has been a real honour. I have kept the little fortune cookie note from the neighbourhood coffee shop in my purse ever since: ëndrrat e mëdha, kanë fillime të vogla/big dreams have small beginnings.