National radio station for prisoners to be launched

The station will be launched by a partnership between the Prison Radio Association, a charity backed by Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow, and the Ministry of Justice headed by Jack Straw.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said the creation of the station will allow the prison service to communicate messages and educational programmes. The ministry has ruled out adding any commercial angle to the station's remit. 

It added the majority of the station's funding would be met by the charity and that the prison service now saves money as prisoners have to spend more time in their cells.

Despite the fact many prisoners already have access to a radio the Prison Radio Association formed in 2006 with the aim of educating prisoners and lowering reoffending rates.

Since the charity's launch a number of independent prison radio services have started up at UK prisons.

The Ministry of Justice was unable to confirm any further details about the content or likely playlists. But, in the spirit of media co-operation, Brand Republic has created its own top 10 for the enjoyment of the lags.

• Jailhouse Rock -- Elvis Presley
  
• I Shall be Released -- Bob Dylan
  
• Fulsom Prison Blues -- Johnny Cash
• Working on a Chain Gang -- Sam Cooke
  
• Locked Up -- Akon
• I Shot the Sheriff -- Bob Marley
  
• Jailbreak -- ACDC
• I Fought the Law -- The Clash
• House of the Rising Sun -- The Animals
• Prison Food -- Ben Folds

This article was first published on brandrepublic.com