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.
Sam is one of our Production Managers. He is the genius behind many of our award-winning audio programmes. He helps to coordinate with clients and plan how projects will look and sound; ensuring that we deliver exactly what we promised at the highest possible quality.
Here is what he 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 with the Prison Radio Association for just over three years now having previously project managed a community radio station and also worked as teacher in prison, delivering Radio Production qualifications. It was in this role that I first became aware of the Prison Radio Association.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
They say variety is the spice of life and just like every other Prison Radio Association colleague blog I’ve seen, my role is very varied, incredibly interesting and never boring!
I spend a lot of my time working on two podcasts, Hold or Fold and Money Mondays. This could be guest booking, remote recording, script writing, promotion and editing… lots and lots of editing (which I LOVE!). I also help out with other Prison Radio Association commissions, creating adverts and specialist programmes like our meditation and mindfulness show ‘And Breathe’.
I help out a lot with station sound for our many other shows and projects and I can also be found working with the talented prisoner-producers at our female base for National Prison Radio, HMP Styal.
What is the best thing about working at the Prison Radio Association?
Making radio that matters. All radio is important and has its place but knowing you are creating content that could help support someone at their lowest ebb, provide them the information they need to change their path or even save their life…is incredibly invigorating, constantly inspiring and always so rewarding.
What is something you wish everybody understood about the realities of working in prison?
The vast majority of people I have met inside have been hard-working, committed and a pleasure to work with. A lot of the time people in prison have not been afforded the opportunities in life that you and I might have and
What is your favourite podcast or radio show currently?
Adam Buxton is great, he introduced me to the world of podcasts many years ago. I love the Square Ball Podcast which talks everything Leeds United and I still love Moylesy, I used to listen to his afternoon show on Radio 1 while I did my paper round and hearing a fellow Leodensian have so much fun on the airwaves really opened my eyes (mainly ears actually!) to the amazing world of radio.
What is the song that you would use to sum up your time working at the Prison Radio Assocation?
Bob Marley is big business in prison, as he should be, he’s an absolute legend (what was his greatest hits album called again!?) and we even have a full show dedicated to music by, and inspired by him, ‘Bob and Beyond’. Redemption Song is one of my favourite Bob numbers and I have fond memories of recording Billy Bragg playing an acoustic version of it in the chapel at HMP Leeds. Its message is powerful and tells of someone fighting for physical and mental freedom, something that will resonate with all our listeners.
You can listen to Hold or Fold and Money Mondays wherever you get your podcasts.
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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.
