San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s award winning podcast, Uncuffed, celebrated their second graduation of newly trained podcasters. The celebration included the launch of their upcoming Season 3 podcast. Uncuffed podcasts are available for download on the internet. They can be heard through their Bay Area radio station sponsor, KALW 91.7 FM.
Learn more about Uncuffed on the KALW website.
Almost a hundred administration, guests, and residents packed the prison’s Garden Chapel to celebrate the six graduates.
“The KALW voices give us [incarcerated] a voice, they represent who we are to society,” said graduate Juan Haines.
For more than 10 years, Uncuffed has worked with KALW to change the narrative about people in prison. Uncuffed highlights the positive transformation that incarcerated people are capable of. They show that when given a second chance, people can change.
The audio journalism program equips incarcerated individuals with the necessary technical skills to work in media, communications, and advocacy or start their own podcast after their release.
“You have tools for your tool belt, now it is up to you to use them,” said Lt. Gardea.
SQ resident and cofounder of Uncuffed, Greg Eskridge, hosted the event along with Senior Editor Ninna Gaensler-Debs and Senior Producer Angela Johnston.
Gaensler-Debs gave a shout out to the Uncuffed program at the Solano prison for their amazing work on the Season 3 podcast. She said the future for Uncuffed includes an expansion into the California Institution for Women next year.
“It is critical for the incarcerated to tell their own story and have their own voice. This helps shift the narrative further,” said Gaensler-Debs.
Uncuffed grads ready for the future
After receiving their certificates, the six graduates shared how they want to use social media to share incarcerated people’s struggles and successes.
“I am extremely thankful for the position I am in and the things I have learned,” said graduate Brian Asey. He encouraged everyone to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
SQNews Editor-in-Chief Steve Brooks was another one of the graduates. He spoke on how the podcast is important to empowering the incarcerated population. “I appreciate the opportunity to tell my story and other’s stories,” said Brooks.
Media Center alumni Rahsaan “New York” Thomas expressed how those privileged to work in the Media Center must take advantage of the opportunities. Thomas paroled earlier in 2023. He shared how that once he embraced those opportunities, his life took off to new levels.
Thomas credited the volunteers that make the incarcerated feel included in society as a major factor in his transformation.
“When you feel you are not a part of society, why would you respect its laws? The people that come in here make us feel included in society,” he said.
Graduates and guests enjoyed fried chicken, mashed potatoes, slaw, and sodas. Bringing some tunes to the ambience was the prisons “NSF” band, who performed music throughout the ceremony.
“The privilege of telling stories is not what is remarkable. It is the opportunity to hear them directly from us that is,” said Haines.
Story by Michael Callahan, San Quentin News Staff Writer
Photos by Vincent O’Bannon and Aristeo Sampablo
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
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