Uncuffed
Episodes
S4, E11 - One Year Out
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been just over a year since Greg Eskridge walked out of the San Quentin gates after spending 30 years in prison, and he has been busy! Greg has...
S4, E10 - Being Accountable
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
All season long, host Greg Eskridge has been sharing his story — from experiencing homelessness in his childhood, to the decades he spent in prison....
Stand With Uncuffed
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The federal government just cut all support for public media. KALW, which brings you Uncuffed, will lose about $400,000 a year — money that helps us...
Uncuffed Presents: Folktales from Sudan
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Uncuffed is excited to present a story from one of our new favorite podcasts, Folktales from Sudan. These are stories from Sudanese folklore for the w...
S4, E9 - Finding Home
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Getting out of prison is often called 'going home.' But when people have been away from it for so long, the idea of home can be complicated. In this e...
S4, E8 - Mama
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does a mother’s love feel like? Growing up, Greg didn’t feel the love he wanted from his mother, and he held onto that pain for over three de...
An Update From An Old Friend
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Longtime listeners might remember a special episode of the podcast inviting listeners to a wedding inside San Quentin. In 2022, one of the producers f...
S4, E7 - Home Cooking
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s no secret that the food inside prison is – to put it mildly – not great. That’s why folks in prison often daydream about memorable meals ...
S4, E6 - Hey Mr. DJ
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a little kid, Anthony Ivy thought to himself, “When I grow up, I want to be a hustler.” He got what he wanted, but he also ended up in prison. ...
S4, E5 - The Truth
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes its easier to keep up with a lie, especially when you're worried that the truth will hurt those you care about most. In this episode, we'll ...
Uncuffed Presents: Fire Escape
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fire Escape is a ground-breaking podcast that explores the world of incarcerated firefighters through the real-life story of Amika Mota. Listen to a c...
S4, E4 - Allow Me To Reintroduce Myself
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you want to change your name, and the person behind it? This week, Uncuffed shares stories about all the things we’re called — n...
S4, E3 - Where Were You In '92?
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The ‘90s were a pivotal time in California history, and people in prisons are still living with the consequences. That decade, California incarcerat...
S4, E2 - Catching Up
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you get out of prison after 30 years? There's a lot of celebration, and also a lot of serious catching up to do. And who do you turn...
S4, E1 - Day One
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last summer, something monumental happened. One of Uncuffed's founding producers, Greg Eskridge, came home after more than 30 years in prison. In this...
Uncuffed Season 4: Back With New Stories!
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
KALW's award-winning podcast Uncuffed is back with a brand new season! First episode drops on January 30th. Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and...
The doctor said he’d never walk again. He was wrong.
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A message from Uncuffed alum Anthony Ivy:After 12 years behind bars, I’m now living life on the outside, navigating this new chapter. Since getting ...
People in California prisons can't vote. Your vote will change their lives.
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Uncuffed producers can't vote. But you better believe they still have opinions. On this episode, ballot measures that would change prison life in ...
Uncuffed Presents: Track Change
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Uncuffed is pleased to share the new podcast, Track Change. Follow a group of men in Richmond, Virginia as they record an album inside a local county ...
Prison Jobs: Working Hard, Hardly Paid
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In California, incarcerated people legally have to work. One thing the jobs have in common? The next-to-nothing pay. Uncuffed gets down to business on...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: All My Life
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Asey at San Quentin on "All My Life," by K-Ci & JoJo. It's the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers' favorite songs.Learn m...
Opening Up After Getting Out: Stories From Re-Entry
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Childhood trauma, embracing differences, and putting your heart out there - what it feels like to return home after prison. A special re-entry episode...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: Locked Up And Grinding All My Life
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anthony Ivy and Timothy Hicks on “Locked Up” by Lil Durk and "Grinding All My Life" by Nipsey Hussle. It’s the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we lis...
Goodbye, Solano State Prison — Welcome Home, Luis
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet an Uncuffed producer as he leaves prison. Luis shares his hopes for a new life, and his colleagues inside talk about getting used to a reality wi...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: Ambitionz Az A Ridah
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Brooks at San Quentin on “Ambitionz Az A Ridah,” by Tupac Shakur. It’s the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers’ favori...
Got Nothin' On The Chow Line: Navigating Life Outside Of Prison
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A founding Uncuffed producer visits prison again, this time as a free man. Tommy "Shakur" Ross shares stories and advice from almost two years of free...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: The World I Know
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bryan Mazza at Solano on "The World I Know," by Collective Soul. It's the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers' favorite songs.Learn ...
Striking Out Stigma: A Prison Team Goes Beyond Baseball
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
People in prison are no stranger to stereotypes. This week, stories about breaking stereotypes everywhere from the classroom to the San Quentin baseba...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: Mama Tried
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan Pagan at San Quentin on “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard. It’s the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers’ favorite songs.Lea...
Lavell's Choice: Healing Or Revenge?
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When violence has been normal for so long, it can be difficult to give it up. The Uncuffed team at Solano shares stories about the moments they decide...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: Take Me To Church
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
bf thames at Solano on "Take Me To Church" by Hozier. It's the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers' favorite songs.Learn more, sign ...
Grieving, Interrupted
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Prison conditions make it difficult to grieve inside. How do you process loss when you’re alone, when crying isn’t ok, and asking for help can be ...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: This Christmas
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Greg Eskridge at San Quentin on “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway. It’s the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers’ favorite s...
Who Let The Dogs In? Dog Training In Prison
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can pets in prison create healing? Uncuffed goes inside a special dog training program at Solano, and shares what it’s like to do time with a four-l...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: Stomp!
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jay Evans at Solano on "Stomp!" by The Brothers Johnson. It's the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers' favorite songs. Catch My Mixt...
Art Saved My Life
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
San Quentin producers reflect on the lessons –– both good and bad –– that are passed down from family.Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, a...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: Love, Me
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Anthony Caravalho at San Quentin on "Love, Me" by Collin Raye. It's the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers' favorite songs. Catch M...
Hole In The Heart: A Love Stronger Than Prison Walls
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Solano team shares their stories of maintaining love from behind bars, and the intense heartbreak of losing someone you love. Learn more, sign up ...
Uncuffed My Mixtape: Dear Mama
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Juan Haines at San Quentin on "Dear Mama" by Tupac Shakur. It's the Uncuffed My Mixtape, where we listen to our producers' favorite songs. Catch My Mi...
Pickleball: Can A Game Change Prison Culture?
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an ambitious goal to transform San Quentin State Prison. His plans for the new San Quent...
Season 3: Uncuffed Is Back!
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Uncuffed, the award-winning podcast hosted by people in San Quentin and Solano State Prisons, is back for its third season!Learn more, sign up for Unc...
What Can California Learn From Norway’s Prisons?
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our previous episode, a team of formerly incarcerated producers visited a prison from another planet. Or at least that's how it seemed. Norway's pr...
A Prison From Another Planet
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last summer, some formerly incarcerated graduates of the Uncuffed program…
Prison Radio International
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last summer, the Uncuffed team was invited to the world’s first International Prison Radio Conference in Oslo, Norway. Formerly incarcerated produce...
Prison’s Secret Santas (2019)
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For people in prison, the holiday season can be a painful time. Many miss their families and traditions. But it’s also a time when they get together...
Uncuffed Presents: Becoming Muslim
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
At Folsom State Prison, Wendell El-Amin James gravitated towards incarcerated Muslims out of a need for protection. But ultimately his conversion rest...
An Uncuffed Thank You
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this season of gratitude, two founding co-hosts of Uncuffed, Tommy "Shakur" Ross and Thanh Tran, give a special update on the program. Thank you t...
I'm Somebody's Hero
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up, Uncuffed Producer Thanh Tran never truly felt like he had a home. He was raised in the foster care system, was in and out of juvenile hall...
When A Mother's Love Becomes Violent
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As a child, Francisco Magaña was afraid of his mother. She would beat him, and he’s carried that pain with him for his entire life. But despite tha...
You're Invited To An Uncuffed Wedding
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We joyfully request the honor of your presence at an extra special wedding. Our Uncuffed producer, Edmond Richardson is marrying the love of his life....
My Enemy Saved My Life
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Death is a normal part of life in prison, but it’s rare that someone can live to tell the tale. Wilbert Stoneham dropped to the floor one day after ...
Humor As Medicine: Aging And Compassion In Prison
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
California's prison population is aging. Between 2000 and 2017, the share of incarcerated people over 50 has more than quintupled. For those with long...
It's Never Too Late: Fatherhood From Inside Prison
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of the many struggles of parenting from inside prison is the constant fear that your children may follow in your footsteps. Children of incarcerat...
You've Got Mail: Surprise Letters During Lockdown
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Letter writing is an art, and the Uncuffed producers at San Quentin State Prison know that very well. At the height of the pandemic, after weeks of co...
Man Down: COVID Strikes At San Quentin
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In June 2020, San Quentin had one of the biggest COVID-19 outbreaks in a California prison. 2,000 incarcerated people were infected, and 29 died. Two ...
Uncuffed Season 2: Coming Soon!
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a wild couple of years, and in California prisons, it was no different. We experienced lockdowns and quarantines, death, friendship, and lov...
I Can See You As My Neighbor
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tommy "Shakur" Ross has been incarcerated for over 36 years. In those decades, he's experienced a lifetime of transformation. He discovered Islam, hel...
Nate's Going Home
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After over 20 years of incarceration, Uncuffed producer Nate McKinney is going home. Like other lifers in the system, he could have been incarcerated ...
Unconfined: The Trials Of Re-Entry
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After serving a sentence in prison, re-entry into the free world can come with complicated feelings and experiences – especially when release comes ...
Pandemic Playlist: Songs For A Year On Lockdown
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For most of us in prisons, the pandemic has meant a year of even more restrictions than usual. No in-person visits, and months without classes or grou...
Special: Letters From The Outside, Almost One Year Into The Pandemic
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's been almost a year since friends and family have been able to visit their loved ones in prison, due to the pandemic. Letters to the inside are al...
Unconfined: Joe Kirk
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Unconfined is a new series of special episodes that feature Uncuffed producers navigating life after incarceration.Joe Kirk is one of thousands releas...
Unconfined: Chanthon Bun
09 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chanthon Bun caught the coronavirus at San Quentin Prison during one of the worst outbreaks in the country. On top of the usual challenges people face...
Special: Letters From The Outside As COVID Rages Inside
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 outbreak in prisons across California is taking an incredible toll — not only on the people inside, but on the families and friends of ...
Special: Prisoners Face Coronavirus
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Disease can spread quickly in prisons. In this special conversation from Uncuffed, the men of Solano Prison share their thoughts on the global coronav...
Episode 5: Prison’s Secret Santas
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For the finale, we’re coming together for the holidays. You’ll hear from the…
Episode 4: Maserati-E
03 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In 2012, Eric "Maserati-E" Abercrombie picked up the guitar and has been performing ever since. Today, the producers talk about the music that helped ...
Episode 3: Yoga
19 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Gordon Melvin learned how to do yoga by watching TV. Soon, he was leading classes on the yard. Today, we’re talking about vulnerability, masculinity...
Special: A Wild Turkey On The Prison Yard
11 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Thanksgiving is coming, and while a lot of turkeys end up on plates, there are some turkeys that fly free… even in the most unexpected places. In th...
Episode 2: Rebuilding Family Relationships
05 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Cleo Cloman grew up in a two-parent household and had dreams of playing pro baseball. After a rocky relationship with his father, he lost his passion ...
Episode 1: Sky Boii
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Remus Sam Langi is serving 38 years to life on a second-degree murder conviction. In prison, he’s become a guitarist and songwriter. And recently, h...
Introducing Uncuffed, a storytelling project made behind prison walls
09 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Uncuffed is made inside prison walls at San Quentin Prison and Solano State Prison in California. We share intimate stories of our struggles and trium...