IN-CJ Podcast 012 – Phil Maguire Prison Radio Association
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In this episode of the IN-CJ Podcast, John Scott talks with Phil Maguire of the Prison Radio Association, and the challenges of providing information and companionship for people in prison during the lockdown. Phil shares his experience of establishing National Prison Radio, and how the international community for prison radio is growing.
Phil mentioned his programme about his experience in the launch of Rise Maximum Radio, based inside Trinidad and Tobago’s Maximum Security Prison which is available on the BBC World Service.
Phil is also a host of the Secret Life of Prisons podcast.
In this episode of the IN-CJ podcast series on the COVID Practitioner Challenge, John Scott speaks with Phil Maguire, Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association (PRA), about the story of prison radio, its impact during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its international reach.
Phil recounts how prison radio in the UK grew from Radio Feltham in the early 2000s into the PRA, which went on to launch National Prison Radio (NPR) in 2009 – the world’s first national radio station for people in prison. Today NPR broadcasts in over 100 prisons across England and Wales, with content produced by and for prisoners. Its mission is to inform, support, and inspire change through communication that speaks directly to people inside.
The conversation explores how COVID-19 transformed NPR’s work. With staff unable to enter prisons, production shifted to improvised home studios and new ways of working. To maintain authenticity, former prisoners were recruited as freelance presenters and producers, ensuring prisoner voices remained central to the station. Engagement surged during lockdowns: as letters became harder to send, NPR opened a freephone line, receiving more than 30,000 calls in 10 months. Prisoners used it to ask questions, share concerns, and connect.
NPR also became a critical source of official information. The Director General of the Prison Service gave regular interviews, explaining lockdown rules and answering prisoner questions, demonstrating how prison radio can hold power accountable while providing essential guidance.
Phil reflects on the fear and uncertainty of leading an organisation through the pandemic, but also on the opportunities it created – from strengthening ties with former prisoners to innovating with new platforms. He also highlights the PRA’s international work, supporting or inspiring prison radio projects in countries including Trinidad & Tobago, Israel, Hungary, Norway, Australia, the United States, and India. The first international conference of prison radio in 2020 marked a milestone in building a global community around this practice.
This discussion highlights how prison radio has become a lifeline during the pandemic, amplifying the voices of prisoners, building trust, and showing the transformative power of communication in rehabilitation.
Listen to the full conversation in IN-CJ Podcast 012 with Phil Maguire.
