A musical group in Venezuela is using the language of hip-hop to bring about social change. Its members met in prison and now they’re singing about the value of freedom and a second chance.

CGTN’s Mary Triny Mena reports from Caracas

They’re a musical sensation. An unlikely hip-hop group called Free Convict.
Men who met serving time inside a Venezuelan maximum security prison.

They started out six years ago, jamming as a way to pass the time. Then, they recorded an album and a video, in prison. And gradually, as members of Free Convict gained their freedom, they joined together to sing outside of prison. The music, the camaraderie and the sense of purpose all have given Free Convict’s members reasons to stay out of trouble.

“Many people think because of your past or because of what you did, you don’t deserve a second chance. But you must, because you don’t know what that person can conquer in the future,” says Ray Martinez, a member of Free Convict.

From “Prison to the World” is their slogan and the name of the album they recorded during their time behind bars. They wanted to expose the violence inside of the prison, to the world outside.

Free Convict has fifteen members in all. Every member writes his own lyrics, including two members who are still behind bars.

They plan to record a second album before the end of the year. This one with a message of hope and possibility.

“I’m leaving a message that it is possible to make a change in life and that change starts with ourselves, that integrating back into society is possible,” says Jefferson Cardenas, another member of the group.

“Free Convict tells you that it is possible to get out of a dark place and change your life, that violence is bad and takes you nowhere” says Martinez.

These former convicts say they’ve found redemption through music. But they say that’s not enough. Their goal is to create a foundation to support the many musically talented Venezuelans who are still behind bars…and to give them a second chance.