Thread by @PrisonRadioUK

Prison radio projects from around the world are gathering in Oslo today for the very first in-person International conference! Our hosts are @roverradion. Around 100 delegates are here from five continents.

This is Mina Hadjian from @roverradion, who have pioneered prison radio in Norway. They aim to communicate the reality of prison to the outside world. The show, on Sundays at 20:30, is hugely popular.

Music is an important part of prison radio's appeal inside and outside prison. The day is opening with live music from inside prison.

"In prison, we often feel like we aren't part of society at all. But when I'm on air that changes. That's why I feel every country should have prison radio."
One of @roverradion's presenters is describing how #radio gave her back her sense of being a person.

"When you are in prison you feel a lot of shame for what you have done. But everybody, whether they are in prison or not, has something they are ashamed of. Prison radio showed me this."
A @roverradion presenter ends the first part of this conference with hopeful thoughts.

Up next .... Nigel, Earlonne and Bruce from @earhustlesq are telling the amazing story of their pioneering podcast, hosted by @prx and overseen by @jatomic.

If you want to follow the International Prison Radio conference, you can watch a live stream here:
teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/…

Up now our Chief Executive Phil Maguire is onstage with @RadioKarineo from Radio Focus in Israel, @judit_hajdu from prison radio in Hungary and Mina from @roverradion.
"People in prison need support, information and to feel part of a community. Just like anyone. Radio does this."

Is freedom of speech at risk? Does prison radio enhance this freedom?

Kicking off the afternoon we have Director of Oslo Prison Nils Finstad, Head of Radio and Podcast @cathinka from @NRKno, and journalist Kjersten Løken Stavrum from @PEN_Norway.

"One of our main goals is to broaden and strengthen democracy. Nothing smaller than that! Prison Radio allows people to practice freedom of speech, including the responsibilities that come with that."
@cathinka, Head of Radio & Podcasts at @NRKno, the Norwegian state broadcaster.

@cathinka @NRKno "Freedom of speech for people in prison is one of the last blind spots on the map when it comes to organisations who campaign for press freedom. Work with those organisations!"
Kjersten Løken Stavrum from @PEN_Norway has strong advice for those working in prison media.

"Tinka is a spirit that exists in the atmosphere. Including in prisons. There is a feeling of Tinka in this room now!"
The brilliant @vartikananda explains the philosophy behind her prison radio projects in India.
"It is not funded. It is powered by the heart." ❤️

"By working on prison radio, we are trying to sensitise people in the outside world, to change their view of people in prison."
@vartikananda explains why freedom of expression is so important for people behind bars. She runs @tinkatinkaorg1 in Indian prisons. 🌎 🇮🇳

"Australia has a really long and robust history of community broadcasting. Radio for prisoners has been running on these broadcasters for 40 years, made outside the prisons."
@drando_GU describes the unique broadcast environment that makes prison radio possible in Australia. 🇦🇺

"You have to consider the geographical, political, technical and human factors if you want to run a successful prison radio project. "

@drando_GU shows a map of all the main prisoner radio shows across Australia at the International Prison Radio conference 2022 in Oslo. 🇦🇺

"I was released from San Quentin State Prison in April 2022 after 37 years. So being at an international prison radio conference in Oslo, Norway ... that's surreal!"
Shakur talks about the magic of being involved in prison radio, and the unexpected places it can take you! 🇺🇲

Next up is @ryanconarro from Inside Wire, which broadcasts into prisons across the state of Colorado. You can listen at coloradoprisonradio.com

"The day I flew out to Oslo for this conference was my 12 year anniversary of being released from prison."
Audiences Manager Seth from Inside Wire in Colorado celebrates a landmark day with the international prison radio family! 🇺🇲🌎🇳🇴

Phil Maguire, co-founder of Prison Radio International, rounds up an inspirational day in Oslo. 15 nations are represented here from five continents.
🎙🇳🇴🇺🇲🇦🇺🇮🇱🇧🇪🇩🇰🇬🇧🇮🇪🇮🇳🇵🇱🇦🇷🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🇭🇺📻

Thanh was released from prison in California one month ago. Today he is in Oslo to appeal to people to stop using the word 'inmate'.

"It's easy to lock up an inmate. It's hard to lock up your brother."