"We Need To Reach Ears"

Meet another remarkable woman. This is Suzeann from Florida. She's a very good person to ask about the potential of a prison radio programme on the public airwaves offending victims or increasing their hurt, and how that risk can be managed.

Why? Because her father was stabbed 24 times and died in front of her. She was stabbed 6 times and is lucky to be alive. The man who committed this dreadful and violent crime had come to their home looking for drug-money. Her father was a minister so the family was used to random strangers knocking at the door for lots of reasons.

For my Winston Churchill project it's important to hear the views of victims when it comes to prison radio programmes which are broadcast on the outside, because production teams involved in this kind of programming must make sure they never offend victims of crime or make their pain even worse.

And no one could ever say to Suzeann that she doesn't know what she's talking about.

Suzeann likes the idea of a regular, nationwide, professionally-produced radio programme which tells people about what's going on inside prisons. "We need to educate people. We need to start from ten year olds. In fact, we need to reach ears even younger than that about everything: the death penalty, the jail system, the justice system, the police system, the deterrents, the racism, the cost. They need to know all about it. And not just from movies. People need documentaries and interviews with people who've come out of prison. And also with prisoners' families so they can hear their suffering too. We need to hear from the children of the people on Death Row and those in jail."

Before we go any further, let me tell you another reason why Suzeann is remarkable. She's not just special because she survived a horrific, brutal and animalistic attack. She's uniquely impressive because somehow she has forgiven her offender and, what's more, she fought to get his death penalthy overturned. As well her career in hairdresser, she squeezes in being a volunteer for an organisation called Journey Of Hope which campaigns to abolish Death Row.

"If I was producing a prison radio programme to be broadcast on the public airwaves," I ask Suzeann, "would I need to worry about offending you or not?" A stark question, but I know Suzeann can handle it and she brings up a very good point which nods to her Christian and socially conscious stand-point.

"You don't have to worry about me or people like me at Journey Of Hope. It's people not like us that you need to worry about more."

You mean those less tolerant and forgiving, and I'm going to say it, because you'll be thinking it: maybe more 'normal'? And it's with the utmost respect and genuine awe that I get straight to the point like this because to forgive in the way Suzeann seems to have forgiven takes saintly qualities. I say it to flag up her courage and my fear: my fear of not being able to do the same if I was ever in that horrendous situation.

"At Journey Of Hope we want things to be brought up even if people are uncomfortable about these kinds of criminal justice issues. People are afraid of them but - doggone it - these things need to come out. They need to be talked about, debated, documented. As my Dad used to say, "Whatever issue it is, learn both sides." And she says it like this: "LEARN BOTH SIDES." Slowly and deliberately.

Why? What's the purpose of being open and knowing about these things?

"It's about less violence, less child abuse, less reoffending and victims being cared for".