Prison Broadcasting

2025 - Please use [email protected] for all communication.

Prison Broadcasting Network (PBN), founded in 1999, was a pioneering initiative that used media-based programs to rehabilitate and upskill offenders, reduce recidivism and promote personal transformation.

PBN produced radio, music, and television productions from within Pollsmoor Prison, Cape Town for 14 years and housed the world’s first radio station, sound studio, and TV studio inside a prison. The programmes, produced BY offenders FOR offenders, were then broadcast to the greater prison community. 80% of offender participants never returned to prison.

However, in 2013 the organisation was shut down by the new Head of Pollsmoor due to restructuring reasons. This decision was challenged by PBN for the next 2 years. Despite public promises by the Minister of Correctional Services (view here - https://youtu.be/1ojmKl3RyfM), these commitments were never honoured and PBN was forced to cease this project.