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.
Sarah is our Research and Evaluation Manager, she oversees the day-to-day evaluation of our charity’s impact, focusing on all aspects of the Prison Radio Association’s work. Sarah’s role is key to articulating the work that we do and through her research and evaluation she understands the needs of our National Prison Radio listeners. 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?
I have been at the Prison Radio Association for 2 years. Before this I was working as a Data Analyst analysing school exam results but my heart was never really in it! I then started working for the Prison Radio Association and now I still get to geek out with my spreadsheets but also work for this amazing charity.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
My days are so varied, which is one thing I love about working at the Prison Radio Association. One day I’m writing a survey or staring at a spreadsheet analysing data to provide statistics to our funders or other team members. Then the next day I’m on a 6am train travelling up north to spend the day on prison wings conducting surveys. Other parts of my job include tracking our social media engagement and also doing exit interviews with the men and women who work on the radio station, looking at the impact working on National Prison Radio has. Basically I spend most of my time finding out how much people love National Prison Radio and the podcasts, which is a lovely job to have!
What is the best thing about working at the Prison Radio Association?
The real impact that what we do has on people. Because my role involves surveying those who listen and work on the radio I get to hear first hand the difference it really makes to people’s lives and I never fail to be amazed by what people say. How cool, and what a privilege, it is to work somewhere where we get to do that?!
What is something you wish everybody understood about the realities of working in prison?
People end up in prison predominately through life circumstance and anyone can end up in prison by taking one wrong step. Prison is full of incredible people with so much talent. The creativity in prison always blows me away.
What is your favourite podcast or radio show currently?
Obviously the one and only ‘Life After Prison’! The recent episode with Kate Fraser is excellent. She explains so well the challenges women face in prison and how what they experience is so different to men, and also the changes that she would like to see in the future.
What is the song that you would use to sum up your time working at the Prison Radio Association?
This is a tough one. I’m not sure I can think of one song to sum up my time at the Prison Radio Association but I love a motivational song and recently I’ve been listening to ‘Broken & Beautiful’ by Kelly Clarkson a lot. It’s such a lovely uplifting song that actually is really aligned with the Prison Radio Association. It speaks about how people can do anything regardless of things that have happened to them which is a message people always say they take away from listening to National Prison Radio. Pretty sure it’s from a children’s film but we’ll ignore that!
If you would like to stay up to speed with what’s going on at the Prison Radio Association subscribe to our monthly newsletterhere or follow us on:
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.
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National Prison Radio will be bringing prisoners entertainment and laughs on Christmas Day with the cast of the hit BBC comedy, People Just Do Nothing.
This year, for the first time ever, we took part in a public-facing fundraising campaign, and your incredible support proved that together, we really can be the sound of change.
At Prison Radio International (PRI), we are committed to supporting radio projects worldwide that work with people who are, or have been, in prison. Our goal is to nurture a collaborative global community that shares expertise, resources, and best practices to drive meaningful change through audio.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on An exciting opportunity to become the Production and Social Media Assistant on National Prison Radio’s Award-Winning Podcast, Life After Prison
This week, we are taking part in our first everBig Give Christmas Challenge campaign, to raise funds for National Prison Radio – a project backed by National Treasure, Louis Theroux, who visited our studio within HMP Brixton earlier this year..
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.
For many people, Christmas is a very special time of year. It’s often described as magical – we look forward to spending time with family and friends, eating lots of food and giving and receiving gifts. But for those serving a prison sentence, Christmas can be an especially lonely time.
This year, our charity the Prison Radio Association was nominated for a six awards across five categories at the Audio UK’s Audio Production Awards (APAs) and at Wednesday night’s ceremony we added three more trophies to our cabinet.
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.
The Soho House Foundation is an independent charitable entity set up to fund and empower creatives worldwide. Through an annual donation, they provide grants for organisations doing brilliant work to help young people in their local community through the arts. The Prison Radio Association is delighted to announce that we’ve recently received one of these grants to fund our Talent Development Programme.
The 10th November is Remembrance Sunday, a day held to commemorate, remember and honour those who served Britain and sadly lost their lives in war. To commemorate, we take a look back at our National Prison Radio programme At Ease for ex-forces people in prison, supported by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund, which is back for its sixth series.
Would you like to produce award-winning radio behind bars?
A rare opportunity has arisen to join our prison radio project at HMP Brixton, the beating heart of National Prison Radio. This job is maternity cover.
As Black History Month draws to a close, we are thrilled to announce that the inspiring Baroness Floella Benjamin has become a Patron of the Prison Radio Association (PRA). Her unwavering commitment to empowering disadvantaged communities and advocating for social justice makes her a perfect fit for our organisation, and we are honoured to have her join our mission to transform lives through the power of radio.
In celebration of Black History Month, National Prison Radio (NPR) welcomed George The Poet, a London-born spoken word artist of Ugandan heritage, podcaster, a cultural icon and Patron of the Prison Radio Association (PRA), back to HMP Brixton for an exclusive interview.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sony Music UK’s Social Justice Fund to develop and deliver a ground-breaking skills development programme for women leaving prison. This project is the only one of its kind in the UK.
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.
For a number of years we have been working with Audible, a leading provider of spoken word entertainment, to deliver workshops and opportunities with young people and women housed in prisons and young offender institutes across England and Wales.
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.
Dame Antonia Romeo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, recently visited HMP Brixton specifically to be interviewed for National Prison Radio (NPR). During her appearance, she shared three tracks that reflect her life and career journey, offering listeners a personal glimpse into her story.
Outside In is our brand-new podcast that is produced and presented entirely by people who learnt their craft while working at National Prison Radio during their sentence.
Every year we celebrate Black History Month on our National Prison Radio show Free Flow by hosting a freestyle rap challenge. This October, we’re asking for ‘bars’ on this year’s Black History Month theme: ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ from people both inside prison, and people on the outside.
This year the Prison Radio Association’s smash hit podcast Life After Prison received two nominations at the ‘biggest night of podcasting’, the British Podcast Awards; one in the Interview category and one in the Specialist category.
Former professional English Footballer and Media Pundit Perry Groves recently visited HMP Brixton to talk to National Prison Radio presenter ‘T’ about his struggles with alcoholism and the mental breakdown that led him to seek help at Tony Adam’s rehab facility, Sporting Chance.
Deemed the ‘biggest night in podcasting’, the British Podcast Awards takes place on Thursday 26th September 2024 and the Prison Radio Association’s smash hit podcast for prison leavers, Life After Prison, is up for two awards.
The Radio Academy awarded four new Fellowships at this year’s Festival. One of these Fellowships was awarded to our very own founding Chief Executive Phil Maguire OBE.
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.
Richie first got involved with National Prison Radio when he was serving time in HMP Brixton. He now presents the OutsideInshow which airs every week on National Prison Radio and is about to be launched as a public-facing podcast. We caught up with him to find out more about his journey of presenting and producing radio from behind prison walls to our studio on the outside.
The Family and Friends Request Show allows people in prison to keep in touch with their loved ones on the outside. The show builds a community of support inside and outside prison through song requests, written messages and voice recordings.
Reoffending costs the government approximately £18 billion per year; the UKRI found 75% of ex-prisoners reoffend within nine years of release, and 39.3% within the first twelve months in the UK. Furthermore, it has recently been announced that prisons are at ‘operational capacity breaking point‘. But what are the Prison Radio Association and National Prison Radio doing to alleviate this?
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.
In 2023, Scout Tzofiya Bolton entered a grocery store in the small town where she lived, carrying a toy gun. Find out what happened next in our new BBC Radio 4 documentary.
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.
Hold or Fold is our brand-new podcast – a deep dive into the potential harm that can come from problem gambling and how this impacts on the criminal justice system. Launching on Tuesday 13th August, it is the first show of its kind.
The award-winning comedian Laura Smyth visited the National Prison Radio studios to talk about the importance of following your dreams despite the obstacles that may come your way.
Nine out of ten prisoners have at least one mental health or substance misuse problem. Listening to somebody could save their life. This July, Samaritans are raising awareness that they are here to listen to anyone who’s struggling to cope, at any time of the day or night.
Our award-winning podcastLife After Prison with Zak and Jules is back for its sixth series, packed with fascinating interviews, loads of information to help support people on their journey after release and a brand-new strand of the podcast, ‘The Spark‘.
Our wonderful colleague James, ARIAS Gold Award-winner, passed away in May. Listen to a very special edition of The Secret Life of Prisons to find out what made him a unique broadcasting talent.
Community activist Angela Patton and co-director Natalie Rae recently visited HMP Brixton to be interviewed by former prisoner and National Prison Radio presenter, Hilary Ineomo-Marcus for their new feature documentary, that follows a group of inmates in a US prison and their daughters who prepare for a special Daddy Daughter Dance as part of a unique fatherhood programme.
The beloved award-winning actress and comedian Kathy Burke recently took a visit to HMP Brixton to be interviewed by our team at National Prison Radio.
We support people in prison and after release through the power of radio. We also encourage the development of prison radio initiatives globally, through Prison Radio International.
We are the Prison Radio Association. We work with prisoners and ex-prisoners to create award-winning radio and podcasts that help people to cope with life inside and on release from prison.
The Secret Life of Prisons is the smash-hit podcast from the charity the Prison Radio Association. Hosted by Phil Maguire OBE (Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association) and Paula Harriott (Head of Prisoner Engagement at the Prison Reform Trust), The Secret Life of Prisons was devised as a way of allowing listeners to understand the reality of life in the UK’s prison systems. It’s recently launched weekly and we’re taking a look back at the most recent episodes.
The inspirational television presenter, writer, activist and survivor of a shocking acid attack in 2008, Katie PiperOBE, has been interviewed by the National Prison Radio team at HMP Styal about why she supports people in prison.
Anna Owen, a BBC producer on secondment to HMPPS, recently interviewed Ali on his journey to becoming National Prison Radio’s award-winning daily breakfast show host and in turn, how this has transformed his life for the better.
At last night’s ceremony we found out we won six awards, including Gold for our show Free Flow sponsored by Shannon Trust and hosted by the incredibly inspiring poet, radio presenter, and Prison Radio Association staff member Lady Unchained.
The award-winning documentary producer and presenter Louis Theroux recently visited National Prison Radio and we had the rare opportunity, to interview him.
World Book Night took place on 23 April 2024. National Prison Radio’s daily breakfast show host Ali, had the pleasure of interviewing inspirational author Kit De Waal about her book that features on the Quick Reads series for the World Book Night booklist.
Last week, the National Prison Radio team were delighted to welcome journalist, broadcaster and author Sonali Shah to HMP Brixton for a special workshop focused on improving the team’s presenting and interviewing skills.
Darren recently left prison after serving a 12 month sentence. A huge fan of National Prison Radio, our award-winning show Free Flow inspired him to write 130 poems that helped him cope with prison life.
Scout recently left prison. She is a journalist and a published poet who worked for National Prison Radio while serving a prison sentence at HMP Styal. Here she gives her experience of working for National Prison Radio during her time behind bars.
The Radio Academy has announced its nominees for the 2024 ARIAS – the ‘Oscars’ of the radio industry – and we have received eleven nominations across nine categories.
Cases of Tuberculosis are rising in the UK, especially among those in prison. National Prison Radio is broadcasting crucial information in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency to help protect people in prison.
Our award-winning podcastLife After Prison with Zak and Jules is back for its fifth series, packed with fascinating interviews and loads of information to help support people on their journey after release.
Throughout February, National Prison Radio will be broadcasting special shows to celebrate Valentine’s Day and to help prisoners keep in touch with their loved ones.
27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day and ahead of this day of remembrance, National Prison Radio welcomed several special guests to our studios in HMP Brixton.
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. But what’s it like to work for NPR?
January can be a tough month for many, and an even tougher month for those in prison. With this in mind, NPR have lined up inspiring stories from people who have found success after time behind bars to encourage listeners to keep their spirits up and to help keep their new year’s resolutions burning bright.
Two of the Prison Radio Association’s key staff have made it onto The Radio Academy’s class of 2023 – a prized industry accolade for young radio professionals.
We were honoured to win a silver award in the Audio Production Awards coveted Production Company of the Year last month. To celebrate, we’ve put together an Advent Calendar featuring some of our audio highlights from 2023.
The former Prisons Minister turned podcast star delivered a barnstorming lecture to an audience in Westminster, with National Prison Radio listeners tuning in from their cells.
Tuesdays on National Prison Radio are Takeover Tuesdays. Every week we visit a different prison and record a day of shows, starting with our breakfast show Porridge.
Hold or Fold is the first show of its kind – a deep dive into the potential harm that can come from problem gambling, aiming to support people in prison.
Cases of Measles are rising. National Prison Radio is broadcasting crucial information in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency to help protect people in prison.
It’s natural to have concerns about money when you’re in prison. National Prison Radio helps those who have been through the criminal justice system to fix up their finances.
This year, National Prison Radio is celebrating, honouring and ‘Saluting Our Sisters‘ by highlighting the crucial role black women have played in social justice movements.
In Behind the Crime, forensic psychologists Sally Tilt and Dr Kerensa Hocken interview people who have been to prison about the lives that led up to their crimes.
Series 1 is still available to listen to on BBC Sounds, featuring interviews with Chris (whose drug-induced psychosis led him to a conviction for reckless arson), Khamran (who was imprisoned after a random, violent attack on a man on a railway station platform), and Ian (who was so desperate to control his compulsive behaviour that he deliberately walked into a police sting operation).
As the interviews unfold, it becomes clear that the root causes of all these offences were far from simple. All the participants make their remorse clear, and do not seek excuses for their behaviour. But in order to help people avoid causing harm in the future, forensic psychologists in prison seek to understand the underlying motivations behind criminal acts.
Starting on Sunday 2 April at 13.30 on BBC Radio 4, series 2 kicks off with a remarkable interview with Sinem.
While working as a prison officer, Sinem was caught trafficking multiple packages of cannabis into a young offender institution. But as the interview develops, it becomes clear that the circumstances which led to her crime were far from straightforward.
On Sunday 9 April, we meet Duewaine, who spent the best part of two decades in and out of prison, as a drug habit combined with patterns of behaviour that took root at an early age to spiral harmfully out of control.
And on Sunday 16 April, we meet David, who was convicted of fraud committed while working in the recruitment sector after sliding into immoral, and then criminal behaviour, almost without realising.
As a society, we send increasing numbers of people to prison each year. Criminal behaviour costs the country billions every year.
Is it possible to prevent crime by understanding the root causes of offending behaviour?
Sally and Kerensa’s role in prisons is to help people look at the harm they’ve caused to other people, understand why it happened and work out how to make changes to prevent further harm after they’ve been released.
In Behind the Crime, they take the time to understand the life of someone whose crimes have led to harm and, in some cases, imprisonment.
Behind the Crime is a co-production with BBC Long Form Audio.
Our hit podcast is back for a brand new series, featuring remarkable interviews with three people who have experienced homelessness.
This year sees the inaugural Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness, and the team are looking for entries from people who write about this subject that is deeply intertwined with crime and justice.
Phil and Paula set the scene, and then hand over to host Sangita Myska, who is one of the judges for this year’s prize.
Across three episodes of the series, entitled Down, Not Out, she talks to a variety of people with specialist knowledge and first-hand experience of homelessness, asking:
What is the daily reality of homelessness? Do you have to be homeless to be homeless? What are the solutions to homelessness?
Our particular thanks must go to Nic Woods, Charlston Aslet and Chris Lynam, who have all generously shared their experiences of homelessness for this series.
For the Orwell Foundation: Host: Sangita Myska Reader: Malorie Blackman OBE Producer: Alex Grundon Executive Producer: Liz Wallace
For the Prison Radio Association: Hosts: Paula Harriott and Phil Maguire Producer: Andrew Wilkie
Contributors: Charlston Aslet Nic Woods Chris Lynam Professor Jean Seaton (Director, The Orwell Foundation) Leanna Fairfax (Centre for Homelessness Impact) Stephen Armstrong (Journalist and author of The Road to Wigan Pier Revisited; Trustee, The Orwell Foundation) Christina Lamb (Journalist and author of The Prince Rupert Hotel for the Homeless)
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The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2023 is open for entries until 17 April 2023. Entry details are available here. You can also enter by post. The address is The Orwell Foundation, IAS, University College London, WC1E 6BT. Please include a contact number or email address for someone who can reach you, if you can.
We’re the charity that developed and runs National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for people in prison.
Last year we picked up a Gold Award at the radio industry’s prestigious ARIAS. In recent years we’ve been crowned Independent Production Company of the Year (Audio Production Awards) and Charity of the Year (Third Sector Awards). We’ve also been nominated for a string of British Podcast Awards.
We operate out of two prison bases, HMP Brixton and HMP Styal.
National Prison Radio is the world’s first national radio station for people in prison. It aims to support people through their prison sentences, and prepare them for life after release.
According to our latest research, 84% of people in prison listen to National Prison Radio, and they listen for an average 11.1 hours per week.
We’re looking for a Managing Editor, National Prison Radio to lead us into the future. A key member of the team, this person will manage the direction and quality of programming on the radio station, and also oversee our team of producers across both production sites.
The charity is at a moment of renewal, with several transformative projects in development. National Prison Radio sits at the heart of these initiatives. The person who fills this role will lead the National Prison Radio production team, have creative responsibility for the direction of National Prison Radio and oversee everything that comes out of the speaker.
We’re obsessed with high-quality production, and we aim to inspire our audience to take positive action as a result of listening to our programmes. We therefore focus on ensuring our content is as engaging and tightly-produced as possible. Candidates will need to demonstrate a solid background in management, with high-level format development and production skills.
Ours is an organisation unlike any other, and we’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates who, along with the required professional experience, have direct experience of the criminal justice system.
We’re a driven, tight-knit team working in what can be a challenging, exhilarating world, and you will be motivated by the knowledge that your work has the potential to make a real difference.
How to apply: Please download the job description. Then download our Job ApplicationPack and email copies of your completed Application Form, Diversity Monitoring Form and References Form to recruitment@prison.radio.
Application deadline: Sunday 23 April 2023
In line with our company Data Retention Schedule, we keep application forms up to one year after notifying candidates of the outcome of the recruitment exercise after which time they will be securely destroyed. If your application is successful, data regarding your references will be kept on file for up to seven years after your employment ends in line with other HR documentation. If your application is unsuccessful, data regarding your references will be securely destroyed. Data from diversity monitoring forms is recorded anonymously for recruitment KPIs and monitoring workforce equality and forms are securely destroyed. If for any reason we need to keep your recruitment data on record for longer than specified, you will be notified. For more information, please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice here.
We’re looking for someone to help usgrow our fundraising income!
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We’re the charity that developed and runs National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for people in prison.
We’re also on the cusp of launching a major Lottery-funded podcast channel, Life After Prison, and we’re leading the way in the global development of prison radio.
This year we picked up a Gold Award at the radio industry’s prestigious ARIAS. In recent years we’ve been crowned Independent Production Company of the Year (Audio Production Awards) and Charity of the Year (Third Sector Awards). We’ve also been nominated for a string of British Podcast Awards.
We’re looking for a Fundraising Manager to deliver on our trusts and grants fundraising priorities and secure income to support our work. This is a remote role with some occasional travel required.
You will work strategically with the senior management team to deliver the right funding for the right projects.
Reporting to the Director of Development, you will be responsible for investigating, researching and making approaches for new funding as well as maintaining and developing existing relationships to ensure future support.
Ours is an organisation unlike any other, and we’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates from under-represented backgrounds and from people who have lived experience of the criminal justice system.
Candidates will need experience of delivering £300,000+ p.a. in grant funding and will have excellent relationship management skills, both in-person and online, and with a portfolio of existing partners.
We’re a driven, tight-knit team working in what can be a challenging, exhilarating world, and you will be motivated by the knowledge that your work has the potential to make a real difference.
How to apply: Please download the relevant job description. Then download our Job Application Pack and email copies of your completed Application Form, Diversity Monitoring Form and References Form to recruitment@prison.radio. Please make clear on your application which role you are applying for.
As part of our commitment to hiring a diverse workforce, all application forms will be anonymised before being passed to the relevant hiring manager.
Deadline for applications: Friday 26th August 2022.
In line with our company Data Retention Schedule, we keep application forms up to one year after notifying candidates of the outcome of the recruitment exercise after which time they will be securely destroyed. If your application is successful, data regarding your references will be kept on file for up to seven years after your employment ends in line with other HR documentation. If your application is unsuccessful, data regarding your references will be securely destroyed. Data from diversity monitoring forms is recorded anonymously for recruitment KPIs and monitoring workforce equality and forms are securely destroyed. If for any reason we need to keep your recruitment data on record for longer than specified, you will be notified. For more information, please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice here.
We’re looking for someone to help us demonstrate our impact in prisons across England and Wales!
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We’re the charity that developed and runs National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for people in prison.
We’re also on the cusp of launching a major Lottery-funded podcast channel, Life After Prison, and we’re leading the way in the global development of prison radio.
This year we picked up a Gold Award at the radio industry’s prestigious ARIAS. In recent years we’ve been crowned Independent Production Company of the Year (Audio Production Awards) and Charity of the Year (Third Sector Awards). We’ve also been nominated for a string of British Podcast Awards.
We’re looking for a Research and Evaluation Manager to oversee the day-to-day evaluation of the charity’s impact. This is a maternity cover role, based in HMP Brixton in London.
You’ll be speaking to people in prison about the role National Prison Radio plays in daily prison life, and you’ll track the progress made by people who work in our studios in prison.
In the coming year, the role will also include the development of a new evaluation model for our groundbreaking podcast work. And you’ll be working with a team of external academics to understand the long-term impact of our work, as we aim to create a sector-leading framework for prison evaluation.
Ours is an organisation unlike any other, and we’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates from under-represented backgrounds and from people who have lived experience of the criminal justice system.
Candidates will need to show their experience of managing an organisation’s evaluation processes, with experience of carrying out surveys and focus groups. You’ll need to be able to articulate the charity’s work and understand the needs of our listeners.
We’re a driven, tight-knit team working in what can be a challenging, exhilarating world, and you will be motivated by the knowledge that your work has the potential to make a real difference.
How to apply: Please download the relevant job description. Then download our Job ApplicationPack and email copies of your completed Application Form, Diversity Monitoring Form and References Form to recruitment@prison.radio. Please make clear on your application which role you are applying for.
As part of our commitment to hiring a diverse workforce, all application forms will be anonymised before being passed to the relevant hiring manager.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Sunday 7th August 2022.
In line with our company Data Retention Schedule, we keep application forms up to one year after notifying candidates of the outcome of the recruitment exercise after which time they will be securely destroyed. If your application is successful, data regarding your references will be kept on file for up to seven years after your employment ends in line with other HR documentation. If your application is unsuccessful, data regarding your references will be securely destroyed. Data from diversity monitoring forms is recorded anonymously for recruitment KPIs and monitoring workforce equality and forms are securely destroyed. If for any reason we need to keep your recruitment data on record for longer than specified, you will be notified. For more information, please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice here.
An extremely rare opportunity to become Head of National Prison Radio, the multi award-winning radio station for people in prison.
We’re the charity that developed and runs National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for people in prison.
This year we picked up a Gold Award at the radio industry’s prestigious ARIAS. In recent years we’ve been crowned Independent Production Company of the Year (Audio Production Awards) and Charity of the Year (Third Sector Awards). We’ve also been nominated for a string of British Podcast Awards.
We operate out of two prison bases, HMP Brixton and HMP Styal.
National Prison Radio is the world’s first national radio station for people in prison. It aims to support people through their prison sentences, and prepare them for life after release.
According to our latest data, 74% of people in prison listen to National Prison Radio, and they listen for an average 10.6 hours per week.
We’re looking for a Head of National Prison Radio to lead us into the future. A key member of the team, this person will manage the direction and quality of programming on the radio station, and also oversee our team of producers across both production sites.
The charity is at a moment of renewal, with several transformative projects in development. National Prison Radio sits at the heart of these initiatives, and the person who fills this role will lead a team
We’re obsessed with high-quality production, and we aim to inspire our audience to take positive action as a result of listening to our programmes. We therefore focus on ensuring our content is as engaging and tightly-produced as possible. Candidates will need to demonstrate a solid background in management, with high-level format development and production skills.
Ours is an organisation unlike any other, and we’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have lived experience of the criminal justice system.
We’re a driven, tight-knit team working in what can be a challenging, exhilarating world, and you will be motivated by the knowledge that your work has the potential to make a real difference.
How to apply: Please download the job description. Then download our Job ApplicationPack and email copies of your completed Application Form, Diversity Monitoring Form and References Form to recruitment@prison.radio. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be required to submit an example of your audio work ahead of the interview.
Application deadline: Sunday 26 June 2022
In line with our company Data Retention Schedule, we keep application forms up to one year after notifying candidates of the outcome of the recruitment exercise after which time they will be securely destroyed. If your application is successful, data regarding your references will be kept on file for up to seven years after your employment ends in line with other HR documentation. If your application is unsuccessful, data regarding your references will be securely destroyed. Data from diversity monitoring forms is recorded anonymously for recruitment KPIs and monitoring workforce equality and forms are securely destroyed. If for any reason we need to keep your recruitment data on record for longer than specified, you will be notified. For more information, please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice here.
New Chapters is a weekly show on National Prison Radio, where writers present their books and talk about their work. This month we’re listening to Unspoken by author and rapper Guvna B.
Two extremely rare opportunities have come up to join the Prison Radio Association’s award-winning team behind the walls of HMP Styal, just south of Manchester. That means YOU could be working for the most exciting and innovative broadcaster in the UK!
In April 1990, Strangeways prison in Manchester was subject to a major disturbance that lasted weeks.
30 years later we’ve done a deep-dive, two-part documentary series about the events of those 25 Days In April, as part of our Secret Life of Prisons podcast.
On Friday 28 August at 2:15pm, we are delighted to be taking over BBC Radio 4 with our brand new drama, The Other Tchaikovsky – the untold story of self-confessed outlaw, villain, activist, fraudster, lesbian club owner and visionary, Chris Tchaikovsky.
The Prison Radio Association his releasing a series of podcasts called Future Prison, bringing people who have been to prison face-to-face with senior figures from the Ministry of Justice to talk about their experience.
National Prison Radio has reached out to people from across the radio and music industries and beyond to ask for words of support for people serving prison sentences during lockdown … and received an amazing response.
BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Marc Riley has volunteered his time and skills to create a pair of very special lockdown programmes for National Prison Radio.
National Prison Radio’s broadcast schedule for May is the strongest ever, as PRA staff work in difficult conditions to support our audience behind bars.
The COVID-19 outbreak presents significant challenges in keeping a 24-hour radio station on-air, at a time when clear information and support for people in prisons is more important than ever.
We’ve been working with Clinks, the charity that supports the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system, to create. brand new podcast series called Crime and Consequence.
It asks tough questions about how we deal with crime.
National Prison Radio is working in partnership with the Shannon Trust as we approach Christmas, by asking listeners to send in 100 words on the theme of ‘success’.
The entries will be judged by an expert panel including Kate Tempest (pictured).
The Prison Radio Association is pleased to announce that its Chief Executive, Phil Maguire, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for ‘Services to Radio Production and Prison Radio’.
We’re the Prison Radio Association – the multi award-winning charity that developed and runs National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for prisoners.
We’re on the lookout for new production talent to work with our team of prisoners in HMP Brixton, creating content that will inspire change and offer much-needed support at a very difficult time.
The brief history of the Prison Radio Association has been turned into a book by Dr Charlotte Bedford – and you can buy a copy just in time for Christmas.
What should prisons look like? Can good prison design help the people held within them to avoid reoffending in the future?
Architecture of Incarcerationis the latest BBC Radio 4 documentary from PRA Productions. The programme’s presenter, architect Danna Walker, asks precisely these questions.
When you spend time in prison, one thing is for certain – you will be entangled in often incomprehensible legal processes that can be incredibly stressful and seemingly interminable.
Thanks to funding from the Law Society Charity, National Prison Radio is bringing people in prison a regular legal slot that aims to demystify the law.
Each month we bring you recommendations for must-listen radio programmes and podcasts.
Alex Bishop is the PRA’s Production Manager. His job is to ensure our productions run smoothly, and to create award-winning on-air campaigns alongside our partners in the criminal justice sector and beyond.
An extremely rare opportunity has come up to take charge of the most exciting and innovative radio station in the world! (At least, we like to think so…)
Each month we bring you recommendations for must-listen podcasts and radio programmes.
Chris Impey is the Managing Editor of National Prison Radio. He’s the person who makes sure the quality remains high, and the programmes hit the right notes, supporting people behind bars to move forward positively with their lives after prison.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to spend time in prison? Our unique documentary allows you to experience 24 hours behind bars, through the power of audio.
Steph was in a bank when a robber burst in, held her hostage and threatened her with a meat cleaver. Traumatised, she decided to meet her attacked face to face. Watch her story in our new BBC film. (more…)
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An extremely rare opportunity has come up to join the Prison Radio Association’s award-winning production team behind the walls of HMP Brixton. That means YOU could be working for the current Independent Production Company of the Year!(more…)
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We’ve teamed up with Stop Loan Sharks to produce an innovative, five-part micro-drama called DOUBLE BUBBLE. It’s written by, and also stars, Carl Cattermole, who himself spent time behind bars.
Each month we bring you recommendations for must-listen podcasts and radio programmes.
Katie Bilboa, producer of our forthcoming drama podcast Double Bubble, is just about to leave the Prison Radio Association for an exciting new job helping Penguin Books develop their podcasts. Her final task is to give us her selection of listening treats.
Each month we bring you recommendations for must-listen podcasts and radio programmes.
James Batchelor was behind bars in HMP Brixton, where he presented on National Prison Radio. Having served his sentence, he’s now the radio tutor at HMP Swinfen Hall.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to spend time in prison? Our unique documentary allows you to experience 24 hours behind bars, through the power of audio.
Each month a member of the PRA team recommends their current must-listen podcasts and radio programmes.
The US is currently the podcasting Mecca, but this month, Andrew Wilkie, the PRA’s Director of Radio, brings us some programmes from closer to home – and one from Down Under.
James Batchelor has just been appointed the new tutor on the radio production course at HMP Swinfen Hall. It’s a complete role reversal for someone who not so long ago was himself behind bars and learning about radio.
Since Gareth was released from prison last year, he’s flourished. But, he says, without National Prison Radio – and one programme in particular – it would have been very different. “I’ve no doubt The Rock Show saved my life,” he says.
Man Booker-shortlisted author Jim Crace has been telling National Prison Radio about how his book Harvest is about how we can grow to resent people who are different.
It’s being featured on January’s edition of Books Unlocked – a unique partnership which brings great literature into prison.
The Prison Radio Association has produced a hard-hitting new film in partnership with the Stop Loan Sharks initiative.
It’s a true story about Matthew*, who borrowed from a loan shark when he got out of prison, a situation which quickly spiralled out of control. (more…)
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An extremely rare opportunity has come up to become our new Director of Development, right at the heart of the Prison Radio Association’s Senior Management Team. Exciting? Just a bit!
National Prison Radio has broadcast the annual Longford Lecture LIVE into prison cells across the UK for the first time. Hosted by Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow, the speaker was the film maker and activist Ken Loach.
National Prison Radio’s prisoner-presenters are putting some tough questions to the Chief Executive of the Parole Board, as part of a special campaign to inform prisoners about the parole process.
Expert Citizens are the heart and soul of National Prison Radio. You can hear from some of our most talented Expert Citizens at Inside Prison Radio 2018, our annual Development Day, at the Southbank Centre in London on Thursday 18 January 2018.
EARLY BIRD tickets at a reduced rate are on sale now!
Man Booker Prize shortlisted author David Mitchell has broadcast on National Prison Radio this week as part of our Books Unlocked programme, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. The project is funded by the Booker Prize Foundation.
We’re looking for an exceptional Employment and Training Manager to be based in our brand new production facility outside the gates of HMP Styal, near Manchester.
It’s a crucial new part-time role as we develop the support we offer to prisoners to include routes into education, training and employment after release. (more…)
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The PRA, in partnership with design agency Supple Studio, has pulled off an astonishing win in the D&AD Impact Awards, which celebrates creative ideas that have world-changing potential, for its embryonic Straightline project.
Andrew Wilkie, the PRA’s Director of Radio and Operations, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Radio Independents Group (RIG – the body that represents the interests and needs of the UK’s independent radio production industry).
How would you like to work for the reigning Charity of the Year?
We’re looking for someone to fill an exciting new position in the heart of our Senior Management Team, based in our brand new premises at HMP Styal, near Manchester.
National Prison Radio is teaming up with the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to help people in prison understand their rights if they feel they are the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
Our unique new series of programmes, On The Case, tells stories from people who have successfully appealed and aims to ensure everyone in prison knows what the CCRC does.
National Prison Radio broadcasts to over 81,000 people in prison across England, Wales and Scotland, and 72% listen regularly. The average listener tunes in for 11.4 hours every week.
These are the main findings from the Prison Radio Association’s annual Impact Snapshot.
It features requests across the prison walls, between prisoners and their loved-ones. We do it because keeping family bonds healthy helps reduce crime.
Having a solid network of family and friends to return to after release from prison is the single most important factor in reducing a person’s likelihood of returning to jail.
National Prison Radio has partnered with the Shannon Trust to bring a unique programme to the airwaves which supports family bonds.
Our developing multimedia platform, Straightline, has walked off with one of the most coveted awards in the design world – a D&AD Pencil, at the 2017 D&AD Professional Awards.
Bound features performances from serving prisoners and professional actors, including John Henshaw (Early Doors), Sally Carman (Shameless) and Matthew McNulty (The Musketeers).
Meet the group of university dropouts who are using social media to influence young people on an industrial scale.
The PRA’s Chris Impey has produced a fascinating documentary for BBC Radio 4 about the new frontier in marketing – social media, and you can download it as the latest episode of the Seriously podcast.
We Shall Flyis the latest PRA Production to appear on the BBC, looking at the surprising history of African space exploration.
Presented by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, the two-part series on the BBC World Service asks why African nations are so keen to journey into the future as a space-going continent. (more…)
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The Prison Radio Association has won the biggest prize in the charitable sector, after it was named Charity of the Year at the 2016 Third Sector Awards.
National Prison Radio will make a rare extended appearance on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday 19 March 2016.
The special edition of Archive on 4focuses on National Prison Radio’s monthly programme, Outside In, which is recorded in the BBC’s New Broadcasting House by former prisoners. The programme is produced in a unique partnership between the Prison Radio Association and BBC Outreach.
The Prison Radio Association has partnered with the National Careers Service to launch a six-month on-air campaign dedicated to helping prisoners find employment after release.
The PRA’s eighth annual development day takes place on Tuesday 24th November. Tickets, which include lunch, are available now at £75 (inc VAT).
And if you are a former prisoner, or you have former prisoners in your team who would like to come, we still have a limited number of FREE tickets to give away. Contact us for more info.
The Prison Radio Association is looking for a super-organised, bright, enthusiastic, intelligent Broadcast Assistant to work with prisoners in creating ground-breaking programmes for National Prison Radio.
The vast majority of prisoners listen to National Prison Radio – 84% tune in by the latest count, with more than a third tuning in every single day.
National Prison Radio provides vital information and discussion in a uniquely-accessible format, helping prisoners understand the impact of crime on themselves, their families, victims, and society as a whole. It provides a platform for those prisoners who can act as a positive influence on their peers, encouraging engagement with interventions that can help to reduce reoffending.
You can read our latest Impact Snapshot here, which details National Prison Radio’s impact, including listening figures and examples of the impact the service is having on the lives of prisoners 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
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National Prison Radio puts inspirational voices into prison cells across England and Wales – including some big-name authors.
Alan Bennett, Russell Brand, Attica Locke, John Hegley, Miranda Dickinson, Roddy Doyle are some of the writers who have featured on National Prison Radio in recent months, and we’ve made them available for you to hear.
On Christmas Day 2014, inhabitants of Trinidad & Tobago’s capital city, Port of Spain, had a unique opportunity to hear a live radio show broadcast from inside the country’s Maximum Security Prison, in an emotional simulcast.
Listen to what happened when Russell Brand went in to HMP Thameside in south-east London, to encourage prisoners there to take part in the Six Book Challenge
PRA Productions, the Prison Radio Association’s audio production arm, has been nominated for the prestigious Indie of the Year award at the Radio Academy’s annual Radio Production Awards – for the SECOND year running.
The awards are contested every year amongst the best radio producers in the country, and competition is always extremely fierce.
The Prison Radio Association is looking for a super-organised, bright, enthusiastic, intelligent Broadcast Assistant to work with prisoners in creating ground-breaking programmes for National Prison Radio.
Want to work for a cutting-edge, multi award-winning radio charity – the Prison Radio Association?
We’re looking for a bright, intelligent individual who is eager to learn about how media is changing lives as part of the charitable and voluntary sector.
PRA Productions, the audio production arm of the Prison Radio Association, is delighted to have been shortlisted in the Enterprise category of the 2014 Third Sector Awards.
Support the work of the Prison Radio Association by listening to BBC Radio 4.
The BBC Radio 4 Appeal is a weekly radio programme which features the work of UK charities. And on Sunday 27 April 2014 the programme will feature the work of the Prison Radio Association.
