Wed 03 Mar, 2025

Amplifying Voices: Building a Global Prison Radio Community

At Prison Radio International (PRI), we believe in the power of audio to bring people together, challenge stereotypes, and give voice to those often unheard. Our mission is to support and connect prison radio projects worldwide – strengthening a global movement that now includes more than 70 projects across 25 countries. 

To continue strengthening this growing global movement, we are mapping prison radio projects around the world through our global prison radio survey. This initiative invites those involved in running or developing prison radio projects to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. By gathering this insight, we can better support, connect, and amplify the work of this ever-expanding network – ensuring that prison radio continues to thrive as a powerful tool for change. 

Welcome to the third edition of AMPLIFIED, our blog dedicated to the global prison radio community. Through AMPLIFIED, we bring together stories, updates, and opportunities that connect, inspire, and strengthen our collective mission. By sharing the voices and experiences of those behind prison radio projects worldwide, we celebrate the impact of audio in challenging perceptions, building connections, and transforming lives. 

In this edition, we are proud to feature Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ) – and for the first time, we’re hearing from three different voices. CRJ is led by three co-directors, each bringing a range of expertise and lived experience: 

– Herbert Alexander – Co-Director, Production & Training 

– Ryan Conarro – Co-Director, Programs & Partnerships 

– Seth Ready – Co-Director, Production & Community Programming 

Each of them has played a crucial role in shaping CRJ’s mission: using radio and podcasts to create spaces for healing, community, and resource-sharing for people affected by the criminal-legal system. From training incarcerated producers to running recovery-focused broadcasts and music programs, CRJ is amplifying voices that would otherwise go unheard. 

Tell us a bit about your project – when and how did it all start, and what is its purpose? 

RYAN CONARRO: At Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ), we create spaces of healing, community, and resource-sharing, by and for people impacted by the criminal-legal system and by the adverse experiences that contribute to crime and incarceration. These spaces are real (in our studio and at our community events) as well as virtual (on our airwaves and our on-demand podcasts, produced and led by the system-impacted producers we employ).  

On the air, our radio shows range from audio documentaries and interviews, to “audio bulletin boards” of recovery resources, to culturally-responsive music shows in which our DJs celebrate joy and humanity together. We understand from our lived experiences that the act of creative expression, in shared community, is a powerful dimension of the ongoing journey of reentry and recovery. 

CRJ launched at the start of 2021 under the name Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio, a program of the University of Denver (DU) Prison Arts Initiative, embedded inside the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). We launched in response to a call by incarcerated Coloradans for programming that could engage a large community in the midst of ongoing Covid lockdowns. Inside Wire featured 24/7 broadcast from studios in four state prison facilities, and production training for incarcerated producers.  

In summer 2023, the partnership between DU and CDOC ended, along with the accompanying funding support. In 2024, we re-organized as CRJ. We’ve expanded our frame of impact and engagement beyond those currently incarcerated, to include adults in reentry as well as youth in diversion programs.  

We’re also rebuilding our funding support from the ground up. We’re really grateful for the support we’ve gotten so far, from foundations and donors and partners. Currently, the 3 of us on the leadership team are volunteering our time, aiming for a goal of creating part- or full-time staff positions soon. 

We are so, so excited to relaunch our 24/7 broadcast this April 15, 2025. We’ll have a big community bash hosted by our partner organization, Youth on Record, and we’ll go live with old and new programming – music, talk, stories, resources, entertainment. If you’re reading this, we hope you’ll tune in! www.radioforjustice.org 

How do people react when you tell them about your involvement with prison radio? 

SETH READY: I have never received anything but positive and curious interest when I share about my work in Prison Radio…And I share often! I have been especially pleased by the responses from people who are not necessarily “system impacted”…All have been very supportive to the healing touch of radio. 

What kind of impact has your project had on people involved with the criminal justice system? 

HERBERT ALEXANDER: We started Colorado Radio for Justice under the name Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio while I was incarcerated. I was one of the founding producers at Limon Correctional Facility. So, when we talk about impact, I am a direct recipient of the positive nature this radio station provides.  

Criminal justice is a harsh topic to address, so our stories are of success and change, impacting positive behavioral growth in our community. For example, while incarcerated, I did an interview for one of our shows called “Behind the Mic.” And the day after its broadcast, I was approached by guys from all different backgrounds, talking gangs and race, informing me that they appreciated the positive message. It was at that moment I knew I was an inspiration to somebody; I don’t know who but I helped somebody grow. 

How has your project influenced public opinion or the broader community outside of prison? 

RYAN CONARRO: I’ll start with a brief story. We’ve had some large U.S. media outlets cover our work. When CBS Mornings ran a piece about our work inside state prisons, we received so much positive feedback from the general public. In particular, I was so surprised to read the comments section on CBS’s YouTube post of their story: I had braced myself for finding comments there that were inhumane, punitive, and regressive. Instead, I happily discovered that almost 100% of the public comments were positive.  

We also engage listener surveys via email and social media in order to gauge impact and refine our work. Our past listener surveys demonstrated the impact of our programming. Highlights from our 2023 listener survey inside the Colorado Department of Corrections include: 

 – Over 60% of respondents agreed that broadcast “provided information they can’t get elsewhere” … and that they “trust the information they hear” on our airwaves. 

– Over 55% stated that listening to our broadcasts “motivated them to make positive changes in their life.” 

– Over 60% stated that listening to the radio station makes them “feel less alone.” 

What’s been the most unexpected challenge, and how did you overcome it? 

SETH READY: Honestly, my challenges recently have been based in time and bandwidth! In the past, my challenges were more focused around my imposter’s syndrome and that, perhaps, another voice or person could be better equipped for this work. Coming out stronger has looked like me becoming more confident in my own skin, and trying to manage my time better. 

What’s your secret to keeping the project going? 

RYAN CONARRO: First, we really value opportunities like this one – to step back and reflect on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of our work. It’s an important chance to take a little distance from the daily pressures and challenges and surprises and demands of our work, to recognize how much we believe it really does matter.  

I think our work at CRJ is about cultivating and deepening community – and that value is what sustains us, as well. We arrive to every air shift, every recording session, every staff meeting, as our full selves. We take time to celebrate successes and moments of progress; to listen to new work together; and to make space when something personal or professional is weighing the team down. 

Oh, and we’re always on a quest for more funding support, too…

If you’d like to be a part of re-launching Colorado Radio for Justice on the 15th April, you can donate here – your tax-deductible contribution supports their music shows, original narrative and talk shows, their news shows, their apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs for their system-impacted hosts and producers, and their studio and community gathering space in downtown Denver. 

Do you have a favourite production / programme / show / interview? 

HERBERT ALEXANDER: My favorite audio work that I’ve created is a feature titled “Incarcerated Dads,” part of our series “CHOW TIME: Stories from Life in Colorado Prisons.” The ideas and conception for the piece came from my own personal experiences with my son. I love to get feedback after someone listens to it for the first time; almost every listener says they’ve had to fight back tears. 

The right to communication is often taken for granted. What do you think the role of prison radio is in upholding this right, and why is it so essential for people living in prison to have a voice? 

SETH READY: Doubly important in a carceral setting. Most prisons (at least in Colorado) are not just a personal loneliness, but a geographic separation. Providing voice for the otherwise, socially mute community, is in my experience 10/10 impactful for ALL!! 

If you had to give one piece of advice to a new prison radio project, what would it be? 

RYAN CONARRO: I continue to be moved by how frequently people express enthusiasm and interest for helping out, supporting, participating. Prison radio is not just critically important – it’s also cool and fun! I suppose some perspective I could offer is: remember to have fun… and, don’t hesitate to ask around for collaboration and support. 

What’s your vision for the future of your project? 

HERBERT ALEXANDER: I think my vision for CRJ is to grow our audience and our community, starting with our podcast “One Day and a Wake-Up.”  It’s my hope that one day we’re no longer “Colorado Radio for Justice,” and we’re just Radio for Justice. 

Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share with the international prison radio community? 

SETH READY: I would like to share how being part of a global community has shown me that these shortcomings in correctional facilities are not just American problems, but problems across the board. And a nuance is, with my involvement in this Global Family, I was able to obtain my Passport, and travel internationally, which prior to, I would have said…IMPOSSIBLE! 

Soooooo!!!! Much Love to the International Prison Radio FAM!! 

At Prison Radio International we know why prison radio matters. We know that quality prison radio improves and even saves lives. It provides a lifeline of communication for people in prison and their loved ones. It fosters understanding, challenges harmful narratives, and contributes to a more informed public dialogue about how we respond to criminal harm. 

We know that, when done well, prison radio gives incarcerated people agency. It creates meaningful dialogue between those who run prisons and those who live in them. It can even help incarcerated people influence how prisons are run. 

By supporting the development of prison radio worldwide, we want to see prisons become less damaging places, better equipped to support people through incarceration and into life after release. 

If you haven’t completed our Global Prison Radio Survey yet, click here to join our community network now! 

Stay connected with Prison Radio International: 

📣 X/Twitter: @prisonradioINTL 
📸 Instagram: @prisonradioINTL 

The Prison Radio Association is a registered charity. Our work helps people cope with life in prison and succeed after release. You can support us by donating at: prison.radio/donate.