Our BBC Radio 4 appeal with our Patron, Louis Theroux

On Sunday 12th and Thursday 16th July 2026, our patron Louis Theoux will present an appeal on BBC Radio 4 to help raise funds for National Prison Radio. 

During the appeal, Louis introduces you to Ali. For the first few weeks of Ali’s prison sentence, he felt uncertain about what his future might hold. Then he discovered National Prison Radio on his TV. Hearing others speak honestly about their experiences gave him something to hold on to. He began writing letters to the station, and before long joined the production team, learning how to record and make programmes for other prisoners.

Today, he’s out of prison and working for the Prison Radio Association as an award-winning radio producer.

National Prison Radio keeps people connected to life outside the barbed wire, and it can form the first step toward planning better futures beyond the bars.

It costs around fifty pounds to produce one hour of National Prison Radio programming. Anything you can give to our Radio 4 Appeal will help more people, like Ali, find hope and direction.

Listen live on BBC Radio 4 or hit the big blue button below: