It all began in August 1999 with just a portable CD-walkman, 20 CDs and two guys with a dream...

Marius Boaden and Emmanuel Danchimah began voluntary counselling and ministry to offenders in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, one of South Africa's largest prisons, in 1997. Two years later they were spending four to five days a week working in virtually every section of Pollsmoor. Yet still they felt they were only touching the tip of the iceberg.

Marius felt that by utilising the prison intercom system as a radio station they could reach far more offenders but the only equipment they had was a CD-walkman and 20 CDs. With no supporters and their finances now completely depleted, they decided this would not deter them and in August 1999 they plugged their CD-walkman into the juvenile intercom system and P.R.S.1 (now known as TRUTH RADIO) was born!

Over the next few years volunteers came on board and equipment was donated or purchased. But it was a slow process as Marius was adamant he and Prison Broadcasting Network would live debt-free and only buy equipment when the full purchase price was available. This has been one of the key factors to Prison Broadcasting Network's sustainability over the years. Emmanuel however left after the first two years as there were still virtually no financial supporters. He is now a very successful Pastor of his own church.

In 2000 Marius was forced to sell his home and eventually his vehicle as well. His wife, Rochelle, worked with him in the prison so she wasn't bringing in a salary either. But they did manage to secure an office in Pollsmoor, which they began utilising to train offenders in basic computer skills and administration.

Marius had his heart set on turning this office into a studio and in 2002 managed to build a sound booth with bits and pieces gathered from various sources. At that stage they couldn't even afford the screws to put the sound booth together let alone equipment, but CHEVRON came on board with a donation that enabled them to purchase a mixing desk and studio monitors.

As his dream of a studio slowly started becoming a reality, Marius began training offenders in SONG-WRITING and MUSIC PRODUCTION during the day and then joined the volunteers at night for the radio broadcasts in the intercom control room. By now he had established a COUNSELLING division with volunteers in order to maintain the personal contact with the offenders. The counselling division was dissolved only in 2006 as a partnership was formed with HOPE Ministries who had by then developed a very successful counselling and minsitry division.

In 2003, a new intercom system was installed which linked all sections of Pollsmoor to the sound studio. In one day, listenership went from 1,700 to 7,000 offenders. This opened up another door and in January 2004 Prison Broadcasting Network enrolled their first intake of RADIO PRODUCTION offender students. Music Production training unfortunately ceased as the sound studio was now used exclusively for radio training during the day and broadcasting at night.

In 2007, with the assistance of INTERNET SOLUTIONS, a radio webstream was launched over the internet, giving Prsion Broadcasting Network the opportunity to broadcast globally and to link the radio broadcasts with every other prison in South Africa. Unfortunately, Correctional Services would not grant permission so this never came off the ground.

Having worked in the film and television industries for 13 years prior to launching Prison Broadcasting Network, Marius always had his heart set on launching a TELEVISION STATION for offenders, by offenders, but with no finances to fund this dream it had remained dormant for many years.

However, in late 2007, Correctional Services started installing television networks in various prisons throughout the country and Marius saw this as an opportunity not to be missed. At much personal sacrifice, he purchased their frirst broadcast camera and launched a TELEVISION PRODUCTION training division in another office he secured in Pollsmoor in January 2008.

The first television broadcasts showcasing the offender students work, "NEW DAY" was screened in Pollsmoor in November 2008 with resounding success. The latest series "JAIL STAR!" has received international interest and global publicity.

The greater vision has now begun and until such time as Prison Broadcasting Network is able to establish a dedicated prison television channel, television productions will be packaged on DVD and sent to the various Correctional Centres.

Other plans in the pipeline include an outside TELEVISION PRODUCTION COMPANY that will employ ex-offender students and building a BROADCASTING CENTRE that will house all of Prison Broadcasting Network's divisions.

Much funding is needed, but if we can come this far with just the seed of a CD-walkman, then truly nothing is impossible!