Episodes
-
Christina speaks with Mercedes about the life she's created with her husband, who is incarcerated in San Diego and serving a sentence of life without parole. Mercedes' perspective shows how difficult it can be to navigate the nuances of loving someone behind bars and coming to terms with the reality of their crime - balancing being in love with that person and simultaneously experiencing strong feelings of empathy for the victim and their loved ones.
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Unconditional Freedom is an organization determined to create massive change within the United States' prison system by introducing a new model for prisons called The Prison Monastery. This radical concept is meant to restore the penitentiary to its roots; a place to contemplate and meaningfully contribute to society while incarcerated.
Christina speaks with the organization's Director, Kate Feigin, who has made it her life's work to transform prisons from the inside, and Nancy Coleman who directs The Art of Soulmaking. This program teaches prison residents contemplative practices, along with meditation and yoga. Every student is paired with a volunteer to correspond with by mail as they journey through the course.
The transformation of a prison involves everyone: the incarcerated, law enforcement, correctional officers, and communities.
To learn more about Unconditional Freedom, The Prison Monastery Program, The Art of Soulmaking or if you'd like to volunteer please visit: unconditionalfreedom.org
Become a Prison Pen Pal through Unconditional Freedom
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Missing episodes?
-
Christina speaks with Audree, a prison wife from Canada, who is in a relationship with Jeffrey, an American currently serving time in a facility near the US/Canadian border.
As with most incarcerated relationships, Audree and Jeffrey aren’t without their hardships. However, their love story is reminiscent of a RomCom - from the first letter to the first kiss and everything in between. The love they have for each other is pure and intentional, both of them giving their all to a relationship most would classify as unconventional.
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Paige, a woman living on the opposite coast from her incarcerated husband. She speaks candidly about her life as a prison wife, detailing the ups and downs that come with being married to someone who may never be released into the free world again.
Paige is an advocate on issues like the death penalty and people serving life without parole - she and Christina discuss alternative ideas surrounding criminal justice reform and talk about what a world could look like if rehabilitation was the ultimate goal of a prison sentence.
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina continues her conversation with Danny, who is speaking from within Waupun Correctional Institution*. He speaks more on the programs in prison, what works and doesn't work, the reality of what it's like to be released and how easy it is to reoffend, especially when there is a lack of support from the community and society.
Danny opens up about his goals upon release in the near future and shares his ideas on how a system that is so flawed can change.
*Waupun Correctional Institution is still experiencing a form of lockdown and there is still little information on when it will come to an end.
New York Times Article on the lockdown in Waupun
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Danny, who is currently incarcerated in Waupun Correctional Institution in Wisconsin*. He's engaged to Katie, a British woman, who was featured in Episode 23 and shares his experience and perspective from the inside about his life, his love, and his plans for the future.
Danny speaks on the flawed system designed to keep people down - starting with being a child in foster care, trying his best to fit in, to making choices at a young age that altered his future. In a rare perspective from someone on the inside, Danny takes Christina on a journey through his life and what led him to his most recent sentence.
*Waupun Correctional Institution is currently in a state of lockdown and has been for months. There hasn't been a lot of information released to the public as to why the lockdown has gone on for so long, but there have been dozens of reports from inmates regarding the inhumane conditions they've been dealing with since this happened. I'll continue to update on this as I get more information.
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with investigative journalist, TV show producer, and filmmaker Catherine Legge. Her documentary From Prison With Love (known outside of the US as Met While Incarcerated) tells the love stories of 3 women who are romantically involved with men in prison that have been charged with violent crimes.
Catherine's film challenges the stereotypes surrounding these offenders and shows the perspective of women who put it all on the line to love them.
You can stream From Prison With Love on TUBI
Follow Catherine Legge on Instagram @metwhileincarceratedthefilm
https://www.metwhileincarceratedthefilm.com/
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Dana, an artist and educator who works with incarcerated folks in Mankato, MN through the "Art Under Confinement Program", a collaborative between the 410 Project and artists who are currently incarcerated. This program advocates on educating creatives on the professional development side of being an artist as well as pushing their creative thinking and technical skills, to then hopefully be utilized once released.
You can check out the 410 Project:
On Instagram @410project_communityart
the410project.com -
Christina speaks with Katie, a soon-to-be prison wife who is separated from her fiancé, Danny, by more than just prison walls. There's several states and an ocean between them, she lives in the UK and he is currently serving his time halfway across the world in a Wisconsin prison. Katie's journey has just begun as she prepares to uproot her life and leave the United Kingdom for the United States to be with Danny upon his release.
***
This episode sponsored by Magic Mind, The World’s First Productivity Shot.
https://www.magicmind.co/penned
Get 40% off by using offer code: PENNED20
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Christine, a recently married prison wife who met her husband, Carlos, through a prison pen pal website during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Despite Carlos' 25 year prison sentence and living on opposite coasts they couldn't imagine life without each other.
Christine and Carlos started prisonpenpalconnect.com - they run the site together working on it from both inside and outside of prison, connecting inmates with pen pals all over the globe and showcasing an array of art created by incarcerated folks on the site's marketplace for purchase.
Christine shares what it takes for her and Carlos to make their marriage and business succeed while he's incarcerated and waiting for release.
***
This episode sponsored by Magic Mind, The World’s First Productivity Shot.
https://www.magicmind.co/penned
Get 40% off by using offer code: PENNED20
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with BL Shirelle & Fury Young, Co-Executive Directors of Die Jim Crow Records, a non-profit record label dedicated to producing music from currently and formerly incarcerated artists. BL & Fury have made it their life's work to not only bridge the divide between incarcerated artists and artists in the free world, DJC Records works as a radical creative collective, agency for social change, and overall art power house.
Listen to the very end of the episode for an additional song, Black Barbie by B. Alexis + a giveaway opportunity. Details below.
****
You can learn more about Die Jim Crow Records on their official website: Die Jim CrowFollow DJC on Instagram
Follow DJC on Twitter
Songs Featured: America The Merciful by Zealot ft. Uno & Black Barbie by B. Alexis
***
DJC/Penned Giveaway:
- A lucky listener will be chosen to receive a copy of Die Jim Crow's EP Book signed by both BL Shirelle & Fury Young.
-Contest Instructions: Please go like & follow both Penned & DJC Records' Instagram pages and leave Penned a written review on Apple Podcasts (make it a good one!) - leave your Instagram handle in the review so we can find you easily! A winner will be announced on November 1, 2022
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Martin Lockett, who spent 17.5 years in prison for a DUI fatality that claimed two lives and severely injured another. In Penned's 20th episode Martin shares the story of the tragedy that shaped his entire life and how, post-release, he has devoted the rest of his life to honoring his victims’ legacies.
While incarcerated, Martin earned a BS in sociology, MS in psychology, and served as a mentor and role model to other inmates. He acquired state certification as a substance abuse counselor, published two books (Prison to Purpose Pipeline and My Prison Life), and began telling his story at DUI victim impact panels all within the prison setting.****
You can learn more about Martin through his website: martinlockett.comPrison To Purpose Lifeline
My Prison Life
Listen to Martin's Podcast: Rock The Bottom
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Britnee who entered into a relationship with an inmate without planning to pursue anything romantically from the start. As their connection progressed and real life issues started to surface Britnee was forced to reevaluate her life, her decisions, and ultimately the future of their relationship.
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Aundrea, a prison wife who is plugged in to what goes on at the prison where her boyfriend is incarcerated. She shares some insight at the injustices that continue to occur, even after someone is sentenced and gives us a look into her boyfriend's daily life in prison - an outsider looking in.
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Tiyauna, a prison wife who started a friendship with her now-husband Willie, during his incarceration over a decade ago. The friendship turned into something deeper in the last couple of years and the two were married in 2021. Willie has been serving a life-sentence since he was a minor with no end in sight, until an incredible turn of events happened in his favor. Tiyauna shares their story and gives us a new perspective on what marriage is like with someone on the inside who is waiting to get out.
***
Learn more about Maryland's Justice Reinvestment Act
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Jade, a TikTok sensation who has gone viral for her videos talking about what everyday life is like being a self-proclaimed prison wife. Jade uses the platform as a means to connect with others like her in the prison wife community; a vent for her frustrations about being separated from her husband; and an outlet for the sense of humor she has living everyday life being married to someone in prison.
***
Find Jade on TikTok and Instagram
Watch her Love Don't Judge Episode on YouTube
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with author/journalist, Elizabeth Greenwood, about her newest book Love Lockdown, in which she follows 5 couples who have met while incarcerated and shares their vastly different experiences. Christina and Liz talk about these featured relationships, prison wife culture, what really goes on during conjugal visits, and how prison relationships endure years of incarceration with sometimes no hope of release.
***
You can check out Liz's work at: lizgreenwood.com
Find her on Twitter: @LizGreenwood4U
You can find her book at one of my favorite Portland bookstores, Broadway Books: https://www.broadwaybooks.net/book/9781501158414
or pick up a copy at your favorite local bookstore!!
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Robert Kingett, a blind journalist, who began writing to inmates who are serving life sentences and on death row. He thought they would be more accepting than any other sighted person in his life, knowing they would read his words and be able to look past his disability more than most people could.
***
You can check out Robert Kingett's work at: https://blindjournalist.wordpress.com/
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
Christina speaks with Emma, a woman who lives in Jackson, Michigan AKA 'Prison City'. She recently started writing to inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic, including one man who is currently on death row.
***
This episode contains content that mentions issues pertaining to eating disorders, which might be sensitive for some listeners.
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] -
In Episode 12, Christina explores the idea of uncertainty and shares the audio from Michael Shane Hale's TEDx Talk about redefining the prison reentry experience from within.
This audio was recorded live from Sing Sing Correctional Facility in early February 2020.
***
Special thanks to Michael Shane Hale for the permission to share his TEDx talk, and to Sean Gallagher, co-organizer of the TEDx Sing Sing Event, for providing Shane's audio.
***
Written and produced by Christina Hansen
Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev
***
If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected] - Show more
