Nathan Carter prison concert sparks criticism as inmates not invited

Irish country singer Nathan Carter performed a “one night only” exclusive charity fundraiser concert at Castlerea Prison yesterday, Thursday July 11.

In a press release from the Irish Prison Service, they joked that Carter was “committed into the custody of the Governor of Castlerea Prison”, and as part of his sentence he was to perform this one-off concert, called Nathan Carter: Locked Up.

Carter, when interviewed before the concert, evoked the memory of Johnny Cash's iconic prison concerts, saying: “I've been a big fan of Johnny Cash for years and watched Folsom Prison. Merle Haggard is probably my favourite ever country singer, and he actually was in prison when Johnny Cash sang!”

However, this performance wasn't exactly the Castlerea Prison Blues. The performance was an exclusive event for prison staff and invited guests from the local and surrounding communities.

Prisoners were not present at the concert, which instead was streamed into their cells via TV channels.

Reporting from The Journal reveals that Carter initially believed that the concert would be for the inmates themselves.

Many have criticised the fact that the very prisoners who should have been at the heart of the concert were confined to their cells for the duration of it. Multiple callers into Liveline were heavily critical of the event, while fellow Irish country singer CMAT labelled the concert “dehumanising” to the prisoners on her Instagram.

The concert in the church inside the prison was to recognise the “significant work prison staff do across Ireland”, and to raise money for three worthwhile charities: Paediatric Ward in Sligo General Hospital, Roscommon Youth Services, and Mayo Roscommon Hospice.

The Paediatric Ward in Sligo General Hospital will benefit from new baby monitors and equipment, while Roscommon Youth Services will use the proceeds to support a bursary program for youths aged 10 to 24. Additionally, Mayo Roscommon Hospice will receive contributions towards the Sensory and Healing Garden in the newly developed Roscommon Hospice.

Castlerea Governor Theresa Beirne said ahead of the concert: “We feel it's a collaborative approach we take here in relation to prisoners and staff. Our ethos is on working, training, and education, and what we look at from a staff perspective, is we try and motivate, support, and encourage the prisoners in our care.

“I suppose our theme is that we unlock potential. Unlocking potential within our prisoners and our staff as well. Because at the end of the day the prisoners will be returned back to society whether its short, mid, or long term, so what we try to do is encourage prisoners to go within their capabilities, unlock their potential and that we prepare them for society, for going back out, especially prisoners that have families and children.”