Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio (also known as Colorado Prison Radio; CPR) is a state-wide radio station for prisoners in Colorado State Prisons, and it is the first of its kind in the United States. It is run by the University of Denver through its Prison Arts Initiative in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). It broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prisoners in the CDOC prison system. Prisoners can receive the service as an audio channel via the prisons' closed-circuit TV system. The public can also receive the service online directly from the radio station's website and through their app on mobile devices. It aims to change the narrative of Colorado's prison system by providing prisoners an outlet [1][2]
History
editPlans to create the radio service was made around the winter of 2020 while the organization hold it's A/LIVE Inside event; an showcase event for prisoners to showcase their works from Colorado State prisons that was aired not only to YouTube but also to prisons via their closed-circuit television system. Ryan Conarro, who also work for the initiative as a staff member and had a career in radio broadcasting, coined the idea to Ashley Hamilton, who was the executive director and co-founder of the University of Denver's Prison Arts Initiative, along with the Colorado Department of Corrections after Conarro and Hamilton imagined of what the event meant for the them to access such system "as a way to create art, storytelling and connection."[3][4]
The radio station was launched on March 1, 2022 at 11 AM MST. At launch, programs were produced at the Limon Correctional Facility, Sterling Correctional Facility, and Denver Women's Correctional Facility.[5][6][7][8]
Programs
editColorado Prison Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week into prison cells as well as on their website and mobile apps. The station broadcasts a mixture of talk, music, and news programs. Programs include:[9]
- Inside Wire in the Morning – The radio station's morning show
- Jam & Toast – The radio station's weekend morning show.
- Inside Wire Hotline – A bulletin program airing announcements and updates for prisoners and staff three days daily
- Wired Up –
- Overnights on Inside Wire – Overnight music program
- Up to the Minute with Dean Williams – A conversation program between prisoners and CDOC executive director Dean Williams.
See also
edit- National Prison Radio, the world's first prison radio service broadcasting in prisons in England and Wales
References
edit- ^ "Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio". University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ "About Inside Wire". Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio, University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Bohlen, Teague (March 1, 2022). "Incarcerated Voices Take Radio Spotlight With Inside Wire". Westword. Voice Media Group.
- ^ Tabachnik, Sam (March 3, 2022). "Colorado inmates begin broadcasting over America's first statewide prison radio station". The Denver Post.
- ^ "First Statewide Prison Radio Station in U.S. history Launching in Colorado" (Press release). University of Denver. February 28, 2022 – via PR Newswire.
- ^ Prentzel, Olivia (March 2, 2022). "Colorado's first prison internet radio program begins airing from behind bars". The Colorado Sun.
- ^ Earls, Stephanie (March 5, 2022). "Inside Wire: Colorado prison radio seeks to build bridges instead of walls". The Gazette. Colorado Springs.
- ^ Kirk, Alexander (March 1, 2022). "Colorado will have the 1st statewide prison radio station in US history". KUSA. Denver.
- ^ "Program Schedule". Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio, University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative. Retrieved March 5, 2022.