Wardens rock to change perception

Featuring wardens based in Istanbul prisons, "Grup CTE," an Anatolian rock group, continues to give concerts for prisoners and the public around Turkey. Established last year at the Penal Institution and the Prisons' Istanbul Education Center upon the consent of the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, the rock band performed almost 100 concerts in many different cities, including Afyon, Denizli, Samsun and Istanbul, since April, 2014.

Grup CTE has gained credit from its performances interpreting well-known Turkish folk songs. The group contributes to cultural activities aiming to reintroduce prisoners into society. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), guitarist Azmi Çağgün Aybek said they named the group CTE, referring to the Turkish abbreviation of prisons and detention houses. He also said many people do not properly understand when they call themselves prison and detention house officers in Turkish. "However, when we say 'gardiyan' [guardian], they immediately understand. Unfortunately, the word in Turkish has negative connotations, referring to a profession of people who are torturers, cruel, cool-hearted and bribe takers," Aybek said. He said the group has come together to break this understanding.

Grup CTE has 10 members including Ali Emre Güler and Muhammet Göktürk Karaca as vocalists, Can Kurtağa on bass, Hakan Keskin on electric guitar, Halil İbrahim Güleryüz on acoustic guitar, Olcay Teker on bağlama and İlyas Çetinkaya on percussion. Drummer Emre Onar takes part in the group as a supporting member. Aybek said when they give a concert to prisoners the inmates first look rigid, but then they enjoy the performance. "After concerts they come to us and ask to take a photo together or they want to talk to us," he said. The band members gladly meet prisoners as they try to change their perception of wardens and contribute to their social development.

The band also makes compositions as part of a social responsibility project. "The death of Özgecan Arslan deeply influenced us. To show our institution's awareness of such incident, we composed a song called "Dört Duvar" [Four Walls]." The musicians worked on the song for a month. "The songs reflect our feelings. We do not mention her name in the song as we do not want to gain favor by her death," Aybek added. The song says, "No matter if you cut, beat or kill; you will end up in four walls." Aybek said: "Grup CTE aims to raise social awareness while drawing attention to the murder of innocent people. We wish the world would be more beautiful and people would be happier." He said the group also wants to compose a song in sign language. He extended his thanks to all directors that have supported the band so far.