PrisonRadio

Juvenile delinquency has many causes and many faces. Imprisonment has a negative impact on young people’s lives and development; prison sentences leave a gap in their CV. Their restricted daily routine causes them frustration and lowers their self-confidence.

PrisonRadio (“Häfnradio”) is a new, unique project in Austrian prisons to give young prisoners a voice. The programme provides resources, develops new skills, and makes learning fun. The workshops offer lessons on broadcasting, communications training, and improve their skills.

The team consists of experienced broadcasters, youth coaches, and social workers from the prison. The programme focuses on young prisoners through their stories, strengths, and perspectives during and after their incarceration.

Through this programme, young prisoners gain a new positive learning experience. They are given a voice and a meaningful activity in prison. The programme shapes the public discourse on prisoners, creates new reporting platforms, and offers new perspectives on the prison system to the public.

The PrisonRadio programme can be carried out in any prison in Austria and within Europe. During the pilot programme, we learned to produce and live stream our shows on online platforms.