Surrounded on four sides by high walls or fences, looked over by a watch tower and countless closed-circuit cameras, the inner courtyard at this mixed prison is a barren and unwelcoming place.
But the music is a clue that not all is so bleak at this jail.
In the auditorium, more than 300 prisoners are preparing to show off their musical skills.
Around half are learning to play an instrument - violin, tuba, double bass or saxophone - while the others have been training their voices during choir practice.
Prison should not be fun. However, teaching people inside to learn pride, honest skills and good character habits is a major win for society. This is clearly the latter. Prisoners learn responsibility, work ethic, appreciation of music... and a trade. How can we turn criminals around without goals? Music teaches so much, including patience and dedication, an appreciation for something that has lifted souls for thousands of years. And they show measurable success to back their claims of improvement.
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