News

HMP Perth Insider Radio - 1 Year Anniversary

It has now been a year since HMP Perth launched their prison radio station, ‘Insider Radio’. The station runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and features a diverse range of programming focusing on news, recovery, sport, and music. Individuals in our care are responsible for scripting, researching, presenting, editing and uploading all shows on the station.

Over the course of the last year, the station has secured interviews with a range of guests including Derrick Johnstone from Make-That-A-Take Records, Steven Fairlie from Perth Rotary, indie band Parliamo, podcaster and stand-up comedian Jordan Patrick, Perthshire Womens Aid, musician Pete Smith and Jess Thorpe from Dundee Rep Theatre.

The team have also been particularly keen to engage with guests who have lived experience of recovering from adversity. Sharing their stories has been particularly powerful as their experiences have resonated with many of those in our care.

The station also provided the recording / editing and mixing facility for ‘Heroin To Hero’ by Paul Boggie Author. Individuals in our care read chapters of his book, which has subsequently been released as an audio book.

Some of the individuals involved in running the radio station have shared what it means to them:

One said: “It was a god send for me and just what we needed. A safe, relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, and learning in the process. SUPERB”

Another said: “It makes me feel happy and relaxed and each week I feel I’m getting better at what I’m doing and I’m really enjoying being here”.