Inspired by the Yerawada Central jail in Pune which had introduced an in-house radio station for inmates in 2014, the Chanchalguda Central prison in Hyderabad has also started a ‘jail radio’ on Sunday. The radio has been introduced as part of the rehabilitation measures for the inmates. The programmes on the radio would be designed and hosted by prisoners themselves. Presently, the radio is running on a trial basis for one-hour, authorities are contemplating whether to expand same across district jails if it succeeds.
“The radio was introduced for the purpose of entertainment and to teach moral science lessons. It will also be used for issuing administration’s notice,” Telangana DGP Prisons VK Singh told TNM.
The authorities are experimenting with the ‘jail radio’ by introducing them in Central Prison Cherlapally, Central Prison Warangal and Special Prison for Women, Chanchalguda. The radio show in Chanchalguda Central Prison is at 3pm - 4pm.
“First we would introduce them in the Central jails, and if the initiative succeeds, we would extend them to at least 11 district jails,” Singh said.
He said that several scholars visit the jail for academic purpose and they could also use the radio to interact with the prisoners.
“Besides entertainment, the radio can also be used for skill development. Prisoners can learn how to write and host programmes, and then become a radio-jockey outside,” he said.
“Telangana jails have some of the best initiatives like yoga, and others for the rehabilitation of prisoners. In fact, we are planning to write to the Telangana government asking them to declare Telangana prisons as ‘best’ and share our model to other countries, so that they can study and emulate them in their countries,” the DGP added.
According to authorities, before airing the programme, the content would be screened. “The content would be all entertainment and infotainment. Politics and religious content are not allowed,” Singh said.
The DGP said that the frequency of the radio would not go beyond the jail premise.