Electric Radio Brixton scoops four awards

Monday, 18 May 2009

By Nadia Gilani

A PRISON radio station won four awards at a “radio Oscars” where it was up against national broadcasters such as the BBC.

Electric Radio Brixton (ERB), which is based at Brixton prison in Jebb Avenue, won four prizes.

It scooped golds in the Community Radio and Listener Participation categories and bronze in both the Interview Award and Speech Award categories, where it jostled alongside the likes of Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live for the top prize.

Prison governor Paul McDowell, who attended a glitzy ceremony at Grosvenor House in Park Lane on Monday, said the jail “was buzzing” after prisoners got the news.

He said: “We are absolutely delighted, but I think it’s important we keep our feet on the ground.

"We are prison people and our core focus is to reduce reoffending.”

Run by the Prison Radio Association, ERB was launched in 2007 and is presented by inmates who work alongside a station manager.

The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, but only within the prison walls for security reasons and prisoners have to undertake a six-week media course to qualify.

Its content is a mixture of music, interviews and informative “adverts” about prison services offered, from drug addiction support to housing advice.

Most prisoners are on remand so there is a high transfer rate, meaning it is difficult to run education programmes – which is where the radio fits in.

Former gangster Elijah “JaJa” Kerr, 28, pictured below, who was once a member of Brixton’s Peel Dem Crew, said: “There was nothing like that when I was inside – it was very basic.

"It’s a good idea to run things like this. Anything creative that gives you something to do keeps your mind occupied and focussed for when you’re out.”

Mr McDowell said running the project did not detract from the serious day-to-day business of running the prison.

He said: “The purpose of the radio is to educate, communicate information about about our services.

“But our core focus is on prison-related business of getting people to and from court.”

The governor takes part in a monthly one-hour Governor’s Questions show.

Asked if he had ever refused a response, he said: “Absolutely not. Sitting in the radio station room is no different from being in the middle of the prison wing.

“There’s no such thing that a prison governor wouldn’t be prepared to answer.”

The prison also takes part in the Jail Guitar Doors initiative, a project that provides inmates with musical instruments to assist with their rehabilitation.

It was founded by British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg in memory of Joe Strummer, the late singer of The Clash who had set up musicians’ charity Strummerville.

Email: nadia.gilani@slp.co.uk

---

Share on Facebook

Be the first to comment using the form below.

Submit your comment below :
Your Name (required) :

Your Email*(required) :

Your Location (required) :

Your Comment (required) :

Maximum Number of characters for this text box is 400.

You have 400 characters remaining for your description...

I agree to the terms and conditions and comment rules (required) :

The South London Press may not publish all comments.
Your comments may be published on any Tindle Newspaper Ltd. media.
*Your email address will not be displayed.

Enter the code as it is shown below (required):