Channings Wood

CSV staff have worked with inmates at Channings Wood Prison in Newton Abbot, Devon, for the past four years, training them in IT and radio production skills. Combining the two has resulted in many of the trainees becoming extremely skilled at digital editing. In 2005 they wrote, performed, and edited an hour long radio play called 'Straight Life' - this shortened version demonstrates their expertise at all 3 activities

Con Air

In February 2004, the first edition of Con Air could be heard not only in the cells at Channings Wood prison, but also in homes in the surrounding area. Because Con Air was broadcast on an FM frequency, people living in and around the West Devon town of Newton Abbot were also able to pick it up. But its target audience was very much the prison population, hence the issues and in-jokes that were heard weekly. CSV staff worked with the inmates to help them produce all sorts of material, such as jingles, interviews, and dramas - as well as helping them with their presentation skills. With prisoners coming and going all the time, there was a constantly changing production team, but the show continued to air once a week for a couple of years. Here's a taste of what Con Air had to offer.

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