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As the new year begins, we are thrilled to announce that the inspiring documentarian, author, podcaster and journalist, Louis Theroux has become a Patron of the Prison Radio Association.
Louis is one of the biggest household names of the 21st century. When people think of documentaries, Louis is the name people think of. He has interviewed people all over the world, from all different backgrounds, cultures, religions and beliefs. He has won numerous awards for his work and in 2019, he set up his own independent television production company, Mindhouse.
Louis first got his break in television in 1994 working for the American documentary maker Michael Moore, who hired him as a writer and correspondent on his show, TV Nation. He then went on to make the BAFTA-winning series Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends, When Louis Met…, and a series of award-winning specials including The Most Hated Family in America, Miami Mega Jail, Altered States and the feature-length documentary, My Scientology Movie.
In 2024, Louis first visited National Prison Radio at HMP Brixton, where he was interviewed by our team of prisoner-presenters. Louis had visited prisons in the United States, but had never visited HMP Brixton. This visit had a lasting impact on Louis, so much so that, a year later he agreed to become Patron of our charity as our cause is close to his heart.
He told NPR presenters at the time about overcoming setbacks: “I don’t want to sound like a fortune-cookie or a Hallmark card. I genuinely think that a setback is often the springboard to a comeback. The things I look back on with most pride in my life, have been times of adversity, things that felt difficult and hopeless but I came out the other side”.
Louis is known for his gentle questioning style and an informal approach to his interviews. Over the years Louis has shone light on intriguing beliefs, behaviours, and institutions by getting to know the people at the heart of them – he is open with his discussion and has the conversations that most people do not get the opportunity to have. Louis leaves judgement at the door and his interviews show the other side to the people involved in complex social issues and human dilemmas.
Which is why he believes in our work. We too have those discussions and provide opportunities for people who have been involved with the criminal justice system. We unearth talented individuals who have gone on to become incredibly successful audio professionals, who just so happen to have been to prison.
Reflecting on his new role as Patron of the Prison Radio Association, Louis Theroux said:
“I am now a proud patron of the Prison Radio Association. A wonderful charity – a cause like no other – that uses the power and magic of radio and podcasting to support rehabilitation in prisons and on release.”
As a charity, the Prison Radio Association is dedicated to reducing reoffending by using the power of radio to connect prisoners to education, community, and a sense of belonging. National Prison Radio reaches over 80,000 people across the UK’s prison estate every day, offering a unique and trusted platform for prisoners to engage with a wide range of content – from personal stories and interviews to educational programs and rehabilitation support.
Louis recently spoke with host of our Secret Life of Prisons podcast – Phil Maguire – at the annual Radio Academy Festival. They discussed all things Prison Radio, with the episode now available to listen to below:
We are so proud to welcome Louis into our team, and look forward to sharing everything we achieve together in the coming months and years.
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