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.
Beth is our award-winning Podcast Producer and the mastermind genius behind our smash-hit podcast Life After Prison. Beth is the one discreetly pulling all the numerous strings behind the scenes – if the podcast was a band, Beth would be the one tuning the instruments, running sound check, and still somehow keeping everyone on beat. She also makes sure everything we share is accurate and genuinely helpful for our listeners. In this month’s blog, we wanted to let you into her world. 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’ve been at the PRA working on Life After Prison since January 2022 which has flown by! Before that, I was working in podcast production, and before that, commercial radio. I’ve always been involved in community radio in some way – I really care about projects that bring people together and give a platform to voices you don’t always hear.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
No two days are the same and that’s a big part of why I love it! Some days I’m in full production mode: planning episodes, booking guests, writing scripts, and in the studio with Zak and Jules. Another day I might be mapping out a future series, prepping for a live show or visiting a prison to meet people whose stories shape what we do. There’s a mix of creative thinking, teamwork, and some mild chaotic energy.
What is the best thing about working at the Prison Radio Association?
We get loads of direct feedback both through social media and via National Prison Radio and that’s a massive part of how the show evolves.
On top of that, it’s amazing to be part of a team that not only loves what they do but are also incredibly talented at it. Whether that’s the Life After Prison team or the wider PRA, everyone brings their passion and expertise to the table, which makes it a really inspiring and supportive place to work.
What is something you wish everybody understood about the realities of working in prison?
I’m not in prisons every day like some of my colleagues, but I’ve noticed how out of touch the public can be with what prison is actually like. Most people inside will come back out to the community, so it makes sense to acknowledge what is going on with prisons and to support people to have the best chance of success when they come out.
What is your favourite podcast or radio show currently?
Radio-wise I start most mornings with Grimmy on 6 Music and I also love Guy Garvey’s show on a Sunday. Podcasts: I’m Grand Mam if I need a laugh and Radiolab when I’m in the mood to learn something new.
What is the song that you would use to sum up your time working at the Prison Radio Assocation?
Changes by Tupac which I’m stealing from Zak and Jules but a massive part of doing this role has been seeing how far they’ve come –
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