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30 December 2009
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Reconstruction: prisoners

Does prison work?

What would you ask a prisoner? The Prison Radio Project asks people on the inside: does prison work? Hear their answers and ask your questions here.

Prisoners are being taught how to make radio shows in a new scheme that tries to get them interested in education and so help lower the re-offending rate when they get released.

The inmates are taught the radio production skills needed to broadcast inside the prison. These skills can help the prisoners get a job when they are on the outside, or encourage them to learn further skills.

BBC WM radio station is working in partnership with the Prison Service and the Prison Radio Association (a new charity) in HMP Birmingham (Winson Green) and HMP Hewell Grange. Also involved in the project are CSV and South Birmingham College.

We have unique access to voices from behind prison walls. Listen to those voices answering the question "Does prison work?":

Robin >
Ahmed >
Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer

If you could ask a prisoner a question what would it be? Post a question in the form below and we'll ask the best ones.

last updated: 05/01/06

Have Your Say

What would you ask a prisoner?

Nompumelelo Simelane
murder and robbery, worth £100.00 or even less, is it worth spending your life time behind bars, is it worth your freedom and choice?

J Juelz
Would you do it again?

Tomorrow Gaut
instead of being in prison would you rather work in building ccooking and cleaning things giving back to the community.

Mandy
Do you feel prison is the best punishment/deterrant for the crime you committed and are you prepared to be law abiding upon your release. If so what persuaded you, and if not why not?

Jim
What repeat offenders really beleive makes them able to successfully offend, when there are others either through fear or inhibitions or personal values cannot ? And what would really happened if they could 'change' those beliefs to match non-offenders?

Julia
Prisoners seem to get alot more than in the old days such as Playstations ,TV's etc. Do you think this is a good thing or would it be better if they had to earn these privilages by good behaviour.

gelly
how has your life changed after prison?do you think that prisons work in a way that prisoners become better people?

katie
has prison deterred you from reoffending?

Simon
How can prision help you for the future, what do you want to do with life? = I think we should be doing our best to make people change for the better.

Mark Steward
Could prisons be better?How?

Officer Machmer
Do you feel any remorse for what you've done?

Wendy Skorupa
What would change things for you? And is there any way you can take steps to make this happen?