‘Making Waves behind Bars’

Theorising the many faces of prisoner radio: developing a holistic framework through process and product

“…The authors have, independently, worked, researched and published in the area of prisoner radio for more than 10 years (see Anderson, 2012, 2013; Bedford, 2014, 2016). This article marks the first stage of a collaboration between the authors to develop a model of prisoner radio that utilises the strengths of the community radio sector alongside the demonstrated benefits of a permanent prison radio station, drawing on international and local examples and engaging in action research projects that involve the production of radio content for community radio and the establishment of radio broadcasting within prison.…”

“…The case studies were compiled through a multi-method qualitative approach that incorporated content analysis of audio materials, interviews with radio producers (of prisoner and non-prisoner experience) and ethnographic observation and participation. A more detailed description of methods for each case study can be found in Anderson (2012) and Bedford (2016). According to Wilkinson (2015), drawing on examples from different countries acknowledges that while each host country will have its own embedded regulatory paradigms, there are similarities across media genres that allow for the development of overarching frameworks to be developed based on a holistic overview.…”

“…Evidence from prior research on both case studies demonstrates the benefits of participation. NPR has a proven track record in helping offenders tackle the barriers they face on release, demonstrated in the annual impact reports made available through the PRA (Bedford, 2016). Listener/participants of Locked In self-report the positive impacts they experience from having the opportunity to write to the radio show, and hear their voices legitimated through the act of having their letters read aloud, on-air (Anderson, 2012).…”

“…NPR has a more explicit and proven track record in helping offenders tackle the barriers they face on release (Bedford, 2016). Through their involvement with radio (as process ), they are equipped with the confidence, skills and qualifications they need to more easily access education, training and employment.…”

“…The limited research that examines prisoner radio also treats these two models, public and internal stations, in isolation. It does, however, highlight a range of positive outcomes for prisoners and their communities of interest (see, for example, Anderson, 2012, 2013; Bedford, 2014, 2016; Doliwa, 2013; Grimes and Stevenson, 2012; McDermott, 2004; Minc et al, 2007), supported by anecdotal evidence from those working in the field. This article consolidates these two separate bodies of knowledge on ‘prisoners’ radio’ (community-based radio initiatives catering to prisoners) and ‘prison radio’ (prison-based radio initiatives) and draws on seminal alternative media theory to propose a dual lens of product and process through which prisoner radio 2 can be theorised.…”