The podcasting project was backed by Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, who defected to Reform UK from the Tories in 2025.
The office of Mr Matthews gave the HMP Leicester £10,000 to build the studio, while the Probation Service donated a further £10,000 for the equipment, according to figures released in response to a parliamentary question.
The Commissioner defended the funding, describing the £20,000 price tag as “modest”.
He told the Telegraph that rehabilitation saves “far more” in policing, court and prison costs, making the podcast studio a “sound investment” for “taxpayers and public safety”.