The Prison Show


The Prison Show is a news program and radio call-in show created by Ray Hill to serve prison inmates and formerly incarcerated persons. It reaches approximately one-sixth of inmates in Texas, and in 2012 reached 14 of the 111 prisons in the state.

History

The Prison Show was started on KPFT by Ray Hill in 1980, while Hill was General Manager of the Pacifica-run station. He hosted the show for its first 20 years. Hill began The Prison Show after realizing that it was not possible for inmates to make phone calls from prison. One of the founder's main goals, as a formerly incarcerated person himself, was to increase support systems for inmates. The show is completely volunteer run.

Programming

The Prison Show features conversation about the prison system, the justice system, and bail. Guests have included attorneys, persons who work in the criminal justice system, substance abuse counselors, and more. Music segments include live performances by formerly incarcerated persons. The show also includes a call-in hour that allows family members to speak on air to incarcerated loved ones. This serves the station's main goal: connecting incarcerated persons with friends and family outside prison. Many proxy weddings are also performed on the show. Formerly incarcerated persons speak of the deep impact of being able to listen to the show while in prison. The show also works towards changing popular perception of prisons and incarceration.
The show traditionally started with Ray Hill saying, "Holler down the pipe, chase and rattle them bars, ’cause we’re gonna do a Prison Show.”
After Hill stepped down from 20 years of hosting the show, the hosting role was taken over by Anthony Graves and Kathy Griffin.

Advocacy

Advocacy work by The Prison Show was instrumental in changing Texas's policy on installing prison payphones. Texas was the last state to provide a way for inmates to make phone calls; it allowed this to happen in 2007. The show has also provided an opportunity to draw awareness to issues around medical care within prisons, or lack of basic necessities like air conditioning.