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What does it mean to be comfortable inside prison?

It can be hard to admit, but some people are more comfortable inside prison than out. We meet people who keep coming back and people who’ve stopped trying to go home, and ask: Is being β€œOK” inside prison a failure? Or just healthy adaptation?

Thank you to Reese and Jody at the Central California Women’s Facility, and Vincent, Steve, Cowboy, Kelton, Arendt, Patrick, Robert, and everyone else we spoke to out on the yard at San Quentin for this story.

This episode was scored with music by Derrell Sadiq Davis, Antwan β€œBanks” Williams, and Earlonne Woods.

Big thanks to Acting Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, Acting Warden Parker, Associate Warden Lewis, and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women, and Warden De La Cruz and Lt. Williams at the Central California Women’s Facility for their support of the show.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

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48 minutes