Clash Members Record to Aid Prisoner Rehabilitation Project

The Clash surviving members, Mick Jones and Nicky "Topper" Headon have entered the studio to record a new version of the song "Jail Guitar Doors," the b-side of the 1978 punk rock single "Clash City Rockers."

The pair last recorded together in 1981 for the "Combat Rock" album though Headon appeared on stage with Jones' band Carbon Silicon last year in London.

Jail Guitar Doors is the independent initiative founded by punk/ folk, activist, Billy Bragg, which aims to provide instruments to those who are using music as a means of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates. The initiative takes it name from the song.

Bragg became inspired in 2007 when on the fifth anniversary of Joe Strummers' death he was contacted by Malcolm Dudley, a drug and alcohol counselor in a local prison in Dorset, England asking for help. Dudley was setting up guitar classes as a means of engaging prisoners in the process of rehabilitation, but soon became aware their development was being held back by the lack of available instruments.

"I immediately grasped the potential of Malcolm's work, knowing from my own experience how playing guitar and writing songs can help an individual to process problems in a non-confrontational way. I bought half a dozen acoustic guitars and, just as Joe Strummer had painted slogans on his guitar, had them spray-painted with the titles of Clash songs – "Clash City Rocker", "Stay Free," and, of course, "Jail Guitar Doors," Bragg said.

Bragg delivered the guitars and was overwhelmed by the positive effect of the work being accomplished and wondered if there were others willing to do the work, but held back by lack of instruments.

In 2007, during an NME Award ceremony, Bragg announced the formation of Jail Guitar Doors to locate that interest. "I am pleased to say that the first person in the room to walk up to me with an offer of support was Clash guitarist Mick Jones," Bragg said.

"The guys were telling us how much this scheme had helped them move on from their previous lives before prison," Jones said in a statement. It was really touching to think we've helped, even if it's in a small way."

Headon agreed admitting: "When I was in prison myself, many years ago, I was lucky enough to have access to a guitar, which belonged to the prison vicar! I know how much it helped me get through it."

The recording session was filmed for a documentary called "Breaking Rocks," which will premiere as part of the Raindance Film Festival at the Proud Gallery in Camden Town, London, on October 1. The film will be followed by performances from Bragg, Jones, the MC5s' Wayne Kramer and Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters among others.