What is Colorado Radio for Justice?
Colorado Radio for Justice is a nonpartisan, nonprofit radio station and media agency that supports and empowers the voices of people impacted by the criminal-legal system in Colorado and beyond. Our producers create and host innovative podcast and media productions, beaming stories, news, music and entertainment that amplifies diverse voices, lived experiences, and creative spirits.
We engage listeners and producers who seek resources and respite from the impacts of injustice. At the same time, we invite listeners who believe that they’re not touched by the criminal-legal system to understand and recognize the ways in which they are. The voices and vision of each of the individuals on our airwaves are critical to our effort to complicate the false, dehumanizing narratives of crime and punishment in the U.S., and to spur more humane and just policies by shining a light on urgent stories and holding power to account.
We envision a Colorado and a country that are caring, just, and human-centered. By sharing real stories, producing powerful and informative sonic experiences, and supporting people who seek skills for living and working together, we foster connection and community, cultivate joy and reflection, and empower truth, possibility, and justice.
Emerging from the work of Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio
In March 2021, the Colorado Radio for Justice team launched Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio inside the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC). The radio station was, and remains, the first and only radio station in the world to broadcast 24/7 from inside prisons to the public. Inside Wire featured audio production studios in four state prison facilities; a program schedule broadcasting into all Colorado prisons & to the public via web stream and app; and audio production training for incarcerated producers who earned certification from University of Denver. Inside Wire was a program of the University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative. You can check out Inside Wire here.
In July 2023, the partnership between the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) and the University of Denver abruptly ended. CDOC chose not to renew the partnership, and the work of Inside Wire was abruptly forced to cease. Inside Wire’s past productions continue to engage listeners via the Inside Wire Audio Archive.
In summer/fall 2022, the Inside Wire team completed a statewide Listener Survey which revealed extensive impacts in and out of prison. The results of the Survey guided additions to the radio station Program Schedule in 2023. Visit the Listener Survey outcomes here: coloradoprisonradio.com/year-one-impact