Our pioneering radio programme wins Sony Radio Best Community Programming Academy award
Published: 15 May 2012
- Date:
- 15 May 2012
Victims of violent crime meet prisoners who committed violent acts
Victim Support and the Prison Radio Association (PRA) Face to Face - Prison Radio Association programme on restorative justice has won the Gold award in the Best Community Programming category of the Sony Radio Academy Awards 2012.
The hour-long programme, recorded inside a prison (HMP Brixton), featured three victims of violent crime meeting three prisoners who have committed violent acts.
The judges said of the programme: "This was an entry of the highest order. True 'stop what you’re doing' radio. Bringing violent offenders ‘face to face’ with family victims of crime was daring, tense and raised so many questions. But the programme unpacked the potentially dry concept of ‘restorative justice’ and provided drama, insight and the tantalising prospect of a different future.”
The move is part of a wider initiative from Victim Support to work with partner agencies and highlight the importance of restorative justice, where offenders meet their victims and discuss the impact of the crime.
Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Victim Support said: “We are absolutely delighted that Victim Support and the PRA’s Face to Face programme won the Sony Academy Gold Award for Best Community Programming. It is a reflection not only of the high quality of production but also highlights the importance and sensitivity of the subject.
“Many victims find that restorative justice helps the mental scars of the crime to fade away and it is also a way for offenders to make amends. So it is a subject worth talking about.”
Phil Maguire, Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association said: “This is one of the most powerful and important programmes we have made for National Prison Radio’s audience. Produced through a ground-breaking partnership with the charity Victim Support, Face to Face uses the intimate power of radio to bring victims of serious violent crime together – entirely voluntarily – with three prisoners who have themselves committed violent acts.
Listen to the award-winning 'Face to Face' programme