Building futures beyond bars

Prison Radio Association

We have been recording, producing and broadcasting National Prison Radio (the world's first national radio station for people in prison, founded by our organisation in 2009) from HMP Styal for over a decade. This is the only radio project in a women’s prison in the UK and one of only four internationally. We recruit women from the prison wings and they are then trained in radio and production and presenting at our studio within HMP Styal. They are offered one-to-one training and mentoring, as well as a safe space for them to re-find their voices and build their confidence. The content they create is played out on a national radio station to 80,000 people behind bars across England and Wales – a big responsibility and opportunity for the women involved which has hugely positive impact on confidence, self-esteem and future aspirations. With your support we will be able to continue offering training and creative workshops to women housed at HMP Styal, while increasing our impact through the introduction of a qualification and talent development pathways; increasing people’s chances of gaining meaningful employment once they are released from prison and thus reducing the risk of them re-offending.