Radio in Prison

“Radio in Prison” looks at the power of prison radios as a unique tool for ushering prison reform. The author is a journalist, academic who is also the founder of Tinka Tinka Foundation which actively works in the area of prison reforms.

The book seeks to remind its readers that prison inmates are in the end human beings with human needs. They are neither sub-humans nor can they be forgotten. Yet, inmate population remains one of the most neglected sections of society because prisons are not seen as institutions for reform and rehabilitation, but rather as punitive institutions meant to punish the condemned.

Isolated from society, the prison population craves the fulfilment of one of the most fundamental needs of any social organism- communication: with themselves and with the larger society. The book through the authors experience substantiated with examples and case-studies depicts how prison radio model offers an excellent cost effective, simple and innovative means for prisoners to communicate amongst themselves, their loved ones and with the outside world.

In the process, radio provides an opportunity for inmates to carve out a new identity through creative expressions, even find jobs after they leave the prison and successfully rehabilitate in the society. For others, radio provides a cathartic means of expressing their feelings and a much needed escape (psychological) from the otherwise depressing environment of prison.

Apart from this, the book also touches upon some other important issues such as condition of children of inmates born in prisons, who live in prisons despite not committing a crime; the discrimination against women inmates who are not given access to the same resources as their male counterparts including the opportunity to operate the prison radio; structural attitudes and hurdles in launching prison radio projects etc.

Overall the book provides a deeply humane insight into the lives of prison inmates and brings out how prison radios can positively impact the lives of prisoners. The book deals with a unique topic and makes for an enriching read for everyone.