Lady Unchained and Ali from Porridge launch new show on NPR

Something very exciting is happening at National Prison Radio this month. In a recent survey, NPR received responses from lots of listeners saying they wanted to hear more information about what’s going on in prisons, as well as more inspirational stories.

Listeners said they want to hear presenters talking about things that can make prison less stressful. They also talked about how helpful it is to hear from people who have found success after prison.

“Hearing other people’s stories helps – and hearing success stories is inspiring.” (NPR survey response 2024)

Well, the NPR team heard you, and they’ve got a brand new show for you that you can hear every weekday at midday and 6pm.

NPR Talk will be presented by the NPR teams in HMP Styal and HMP Brixton from Monday to Wednesday, before the dream-team of Lady Unchained and Ali – from the breakfast show Porridge – takes over for Thursdays and Fridays.

The show will be packed full of interviews and news from across the prison estate, as well as gossip from the wings of prisons all over the country. There’ll even be the chance for prisons to go head-to-head with one another in quizzes and games!

Lady Unchained – who presents Free Flow on NPR – says the show will be helpful, as well as bringing humour to people’s lives.

“Honestly, I am so excited to be presenting alongside my brother Ali. Most people who have been to prison connect with other people who have had similar experiences. At NPR, we connected and now we love making amazing radio together that can open doors for others.”

She goes on to say, “Prison can be a dark and lonely place, but this show will bring people the support they need while in prison and after. It will bring like-minded people together, to show you’re not alone and there can be light at the end of the tunnel.”  

Lady Unchained – along with the whole NPR team – will be working hard to secure exciting interviews with celebrities, well-known personalities and inspiring people who can share their stories.

The show is designed to “give hope, be a reason to look at life differently, and give advice on how to get support and where to get it.”

She says the show will be like “your own personal lifejacket” and “will be full of chat, support, laughter, inspirational stories and creativity. And let’s not forget my brother Ali’s Dad jokes!”

You can hear NPR Talk every Monday to Friday at 12 midday and 6pm on NPR.  

National Prison Radio is the world’s first national radio station for people in prison. It is available on in-cell TVs and Launchpad laptops in prisons across England and Wales. If you would like to get involved by asking a question, sharing a story, or requesting a track, you can call us on: 0808 123 1234.