Fifteen men currently incarcerated in Pelican Bay State Prison, each with a story and a desire to express their personal transformations behind bars. In this Introduction, each member of the production team gets his turn at the mic to introduce himself; interspersed are excerpts from one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. Subsequent episodes will deal with different aspects of incarceration, but Episode 0 is simply about the guys.
Much LOVE and MANY THANKS to BenJamin Banger for letting us use his tracks throughout this entire episode! We found him on Free Music Archive; you can follow him on Instagram HERE! Also, love to Checkie Brown for use of Yesterday Night (CB 012) for Barry’s intro. Find more Checkie Brown at www.musikbrause.de. Creative Commons License (by-nc-nd) for the copyrights lawyers!
This was a great episode.
I just listened to it.
Good luck to everyone involved
Can’t wait for the next episode and to hear about how the challenge played out for you Paul!
Goes without saying that this podcast is a great thing all around. It seems though, too much like Earhustle , like a carbon copy. Been thinking of how this podcast can differentiate itself, stand out as different. I would include music in every episode, the music that the men love but that would require more steps in order to use the music. I think that it would be worth it. Also, another way this can be set apart is to allow only the voices of the men, not outside narrater. Having said all of this, the effort is what matters. I wish you all the best!
Thanks for the notes! Great comment!
fennell3@suddenlink.net
My name is Sharon Fennell aka Sista Soul. 36 years broadcasting on KHSU. Friends with many OG’s
and I promoted Hunger strikes on my show. Would enjoy staying connected as you go along. I also know Earlonne.
Sista Soul! The Legend! Thanks for the comment…many of my students speak highly of you, and, being local, I recall your incredible broadcasts. I WILL be in touch!
Thank you for @pcritz for making this podcast happen. It helps me to have hope for my friend. I like the outside narration. It gives insight from an outsider I think.
Thank you for this podcast it makes me feel good knowing my dad is doing something positive with his life can’t wait to hear more.❤️
Thank you for this podcast program it was great to be able to hear my son’s voice listening and trying to educate others going through a similar situation can’t wait until the next podcast
I cant wait to hear the next episode I’m gald to hear my brother’s point of views an gald he is changing the way he thinks an wants to be a better him an that he is staying strong threw out those year’s, I’m very proud of you bruh bruh in so much you over come an the way you think now I love you very much 💖 (Marco Garcia)
Too bad the family of the victims of these murderers don’t get to hear from their loved ones however these losers get to speak out. They do NOT deserve anything but what they’ve earned. Time in prison!
Yes, it’s heartbreaking to lose loved ones as I too have lost a brother who was murdered, but I too also have a brother that is in prison for choices he made when he was younger and he is serving 20 to life . I understand that sometimes that there are many prisoners that have no remorse for what they have done , but there are many that have done things while on drugs or that have mental issues that were never addressed when they were growing up or maybe they had such a terrible life that when they made the choices they made they weren’t in the best place in life. Some prisoners are in there for many years over minor offenses because of certain laws in certain states and many truly have remorse and only want a second chance in life to prove that they have changed because many also have family that love them and want them to get a second chance in life. Also yes our deceased loved ones will never get a second chance at life , but I also believe god has a destiny for us all on how we will die and we have to forgive in order to move on. I know you will probably not agree with what has been said but I don’t think we should call all prisoners losers and if your loved one is in heaven then I’m sure they would want you to forgive because honestly they are in a better world then we are. This world is horrible because there is so much hate and we can’t seem to ever let go of that hate.
Joy, I am deeply sorry for the pain you must be experiencing. I could not imagine.
I agree with Lisa & Annonymous. My friend is in there with no hopes of ever getting out. What he did was monsterous and he knows it and has deep deep remorse.
Maybe when society really gets it, really understands, how poverty contributes our prison population, then we will do something about the toxic environment in our public schools in poor neighborhoods. Mental health for troubled kids is not readily available and, as a result, can promote monstrous crimes. Society needs to nurture all children. It really does take a village.
It saddens me that you would actually take the time to visit this site only to post such a comment. As these men are in the Callifornia Department of Corrections and REHABILITATION, it seems to me that they have every right to participate in their own rehabilitation. You do not say how you know for sure that all these men are in fact murderers, and I suspect you do not know, and do not care. You have already made up your mind, and nothing I or anyone else might say will change your mind. That being said, we can only guess at the circumstances that led to these men being incarcerated. It is likely that most if not all of them endured things most of us can only imagine, and I for one know that I am not without sin, so I personally won’t be throwing any stones. Perhaps you are the one and only human on this earth who has never sinned, but I very much doubt that. I was deeply moved by the podcast, and will look forward to hearing all the rest.
Thank you for Advocating for these men, attempting to Rehabilitating Themselves. I watch their GOGI on YouTube. I was in Similar Housing Conditions. Everybody deserves a 2nd Chance. Keep giving and showing these men, that you support them along the way. To go from Murders, Prison Politics, and Hardships in Life Growing Up, we have to give them alot more Credit. I was released Nov 2008, and by God’s Grace, didn’t go back and don’t want to. Something that helped me, was going into a Christian Discipleship Program, called Church On The Streets/PHOENIX DREAM CENTER.. GOD BLESS
1.)How do the CEO’s treat the prisoners?
2.) What unsanitary conditions do prisoners have to live with?
3.)How does the facility keep prisoners warm when the heating units don’t work( in freezing temperatures)?
-Questions from a concerned sister and niece with a brother/uncle in pelican bay prison-
There are no words to show my appreciation!
Very much enjoyed hearing this episode. Cant wait to hear the next. I think that this is good for these men to be able to share the bad choices that lead them here also the ones that are there and dont deserve to be. Felt good to hear my brother Ray share apart of his story cant wait to hear more. Sending prayers to you all.
I think it would be a good idea to have our youth listen to this podcast at high school and have it followed up with discussion group involving the youth as well as counselors as a learning tool for them. The lessons learned in life by the prisoners could help guide our youth in making more informed decisions at that critical time of life that will determine their future path.
Kudos to those who made this podcast possible. ❤👊🏽🌠
I was housed at ARIZONA
A.S.P.C. EYMAN S.M.U. 2
“SPECIAL MANAGEMENT UNIT” 2
aka “BROWNING UNIT”
housing WING 2 FOX CLUSTER
FLORENCE, AZ. in 2006-2008
I CONGRADULATE ALL YOU CONVICTS AND MEN, FOR THIS POSITIVE CHANGE AND GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY AND OUR NEXT GENERATION. SHOWING THESE YOUNG HOMIES A BETTER WAY AND HOPEFULLY A FUTURE. I WAS RELEASED 11 YEARS AGO. IT TOOK ME OVER 2 YEARS IN A CHRISTIAN RE ENTRY/RECOVERY HOME, JUST TO RE INTEGRATE BACK INTO THE REAL WORLD FROM 2009-2011. THESE PAST 10 YEARS OUT HERE, HAVENT BEEN AN EASY JOURNEY FOR ME, ESPECIALLY SINCE I BARELY FOUND OUT, THAT I HAVE P.T.S.D. SUPER MAX OR SOLITARY CONFINEMENT HAD ITS LONGVTERM AFFECT ON ME, SO STAY STRONG. NO MATTER THE STRESS OR DRAMA OUT HERE, JUST DON’T GIVE UP. IF GOD HAS GIVEN ME THE STRENGTH IN THERE NOT TO DIE, NOR GIVE UP OUT HERE, YOU ALL CAN MAKE IT TOO.. GOD BLESS TO ALL YOU BROTHERS IN THERE, WITH MUCH RESPECTS. This video was made in 2010, where I shared my Testimony in a small church.. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EEXuHIzDQxc
This is a shout out from South Africa. Can you believe that your Podcast reached me? Hehe my fiance is @ Pelican Bay and I loved listening to all of the stories. Keep up the good work guys! Much love
This podcast is so great! I played it on local radio in Humboldt County, CA. This is a really important tool to connect inmates with their community, as our culture makes it very hard for this to happen in a positive way. I really think most citizens would be disgusted with the criminal justice system if we actually witnessed it, and/or found ourselves trapped within it- but nothing will change until it is exposed. EVERYONE deserves basic human rights, including the right to a voice that can be heard! One thing- I wish the inmates participating played more of a leadership role/narrated the podcast. Looking forward to sharing the next episode– when will it be released? Also, are there ways for citizens to reach out to and engage with those on the podcast? I would love to broadcast this information locally.
Saimie, the next episode goes up TODAY (2-18)! And you can ask questions and engage the crew here or via email at producer@pelicanbayunlocked.com. As for developing the narrative voice, we are together a total of six hours (if we’re lucky) each week. The classes are all about content generation. We’ll fold in more post-time – editing, narrating, production – as our hours and program expands.
Loved listening to this podcast.. Can’t wait for more. I could truly connect with some of their stories and was eager to hear how things ended up for some of them. Can’t wait for the next one! My best friend is there doing life and it brings some insight to what options they have while there to continue to grow and educate themselves. Will continue listening for sure!
Thank you for organizing this.