Behind the success of the Prison Radio Association is our dedicated, hardworking staff team who make the world of prison radio in England and Wales tick. Here, we get to know them and spotlight their experience of working for the Prison Radio Association.
Abbey is our Director of Operations and Women’s Projects. Abbey spearheads our work in women’s prisons and is in charge of all operations at the Prison Radio Association. Over the last five years she has completely transformed our work across the women’s estate, all while keeping everything and everyone ticking along at HQ. Here is what she has to say about life at the Prison Radio Association:
How long have you been working at the Prison Radio Association? What were you doing before?
This March marks exactly five years since starting at the Prison Radio Association – I can’t believe how fast that’s gone! I started this job just as the Covid-19 lockdown began in the UK!
Before this I was working in TV production and live comedy production at the Edinburgh Fringe. I then ended up doing some freelance jobs – working on a trainee scheme getting young people into television and media careers as well as producing a feminist pop choir! My work life has been very varied!
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
I’d say a typical day at work for me is that no one day is the same. I spend a lot of time at our women’s radio station project at HMP Styal, but also travel around other women’s prisons across the country with our team delivering production workshops to women inside. Day to day I’m managing all operations for the charity, so this could be HR, IT contracts, writing company policies or liaising with one of our prison sites. It really is a job that involves a bit of everything!
What is the best thing about working at the Prison Radio Association?
Our team – not many people can say their colleagues are their friends, but I really enjoy hanging out with everyone in the team – we all really care about what we do. I also absolutely love spending time working with women in prison, especially our National Prison Radio team at HMP Styal. Their enthusiasm and passion for their radio work really helps me do what I do and they make me feel so proud every time I visit.
What is something you wish everybody understood about the realities of working in prison?
I wish people knew how much incredible work goes on inside prisons, delivered by brilliant organisations. We hear a lot in the news about the pressures the system is under – which cannot be shied away from – but we should also shine a light on some really innovative and caring projects helping to change people’s lives. Working inside prisons you get to see this first hand, and there are lots of people who really care!
What is your favourite podcast or radio show currently?
I love classical music, so I love Radio 3 Breakfast to wake me up in the morning. Podcast wise I love Gone Medieval – I’m a history nerd and this keeps me company on my train journeys around the country to different prisons.
What is the song that you would use to sum up your time working at the Prison Radio Association?
The song to sum up my time at the Prison Radio Association would be You’ve Got a Friend (Carole King/James Taylor version) – because we really are a team and support each other’s achievements – and because I think radio in prisons works because our presenters are that familiar voice keeping you company in hard times – a reminder that there’s always someone there to talk to and listen to you.
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National Prison Radio is the world’s first national radio station for people in prison. It’s available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on in-cell TV.
National Prison Radio was founded by the Prison Radio Association – a registered charity. Our shows help people to cope with life inside prison and thrive on release. If you would like to support our work, and enhance the futures of people in prison across the UK you can make a donation at prison.radio/donate.
