America's convicted felons have long been able to air their views and communicate with inmates in other state penitentiaries through the Prison Radio Project.

On Philadelphia's Death Row, where contraversial prisoners such as Mumia Abu Jamal, the Black Panther journalist convicted of a cop shooting in 1982, have been linked up to speak on national radio, the value of such a scheme is made manifest.

There is no equivalent in Britain. Feltham Young Offenders Institute in west London is the only prison which has an internal radio. Feltham Radio was set up in 1993 with money from a local philanthropist as an experiment to combat the growing number of teenage suicides. It has far outstretched its original purpose.

On a quotidien level, it provides practical information on internal jobs, drugs counselling, discussion groups and religious services. "Many of the lads felt lonely and cut off in their cells. There was a lack of information and need for communication", says Bob Clements, the former teacher who masterminded the project. Clements claims that suicide rates have fallen and that inmates, having gained an NVQ radio qualification inside, are even going on to get jobs in media and advertising.

Feltham has also been nurturing some DJ-ing talent. Volunteers take it in turns to do the weekday 1-4pm slot, alternately reggae, house, garage or soul, while mixmaster Flex is a regular dance feature at the weekend. Needless to say, the agony aunt slot 'Moan and Groan to Joan' didn't last very long in that macho environment.

In November the volunteers waiting list gets very long as the Feltham prepares to go out live to west london for a month on 999MW or 87.7FM. Last year local soap star, local DJs and Radio one's Chris Tarrant got involved and there were phone-in public debates on drugs and crime and a live discussion between boys from Feltham and Radley college.

"It builds up your confidence and makes you feel that people know you're not a waste of time." says James Springer, 18, one of the volunteers who is in on charges of vandalism and assault. "If your stretching yourself your OK. Its when you start to get a prison mind that its bad. Some people come in here first time and they can go mad."

"All kids jails should have one" adds Dean Adams, 15, who could not read and write when he entered Feltham and now wants to work in radio. "After all talk is cheap."

Imogen OâRorke