Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla recently welcomed Ear Hustle Live to record their award-winning podcast inside the institution.
“Ear Hustle started inside prison, so of course, you know, (we’re) always (going to be) present here,” said co-host Earlonne Woods. “And me being a formerly incarcerated individual, having served almost three decades, I understand the importance of people coming inside the prisons. You know, it’s very inspiring.”
Nigel Poor, co-host, said Ear Hustle has evolved over the years.
“When we started Ear Hustle, the idea was that we were going to do stories to play inside the prison for people who were incarcerated,” she said. “Didn’t work out that way. We started playing stories outside first.”
Being back inside CCWF was special for the pair.
“It’s just, it’s really fun for us. We’ve done a lot of interviews here, so we get to see people that we’ve spoken to,” Poor said.
Lanika, an incarcerated person, said when programs come inside prisons, it is beneficial and offers hope.
“It means a lot, them coming in here,” she said. “It means a lot that we’re still being thought of out there. That affected me a lot in a good way, you know? It just reminded us to not give up and keep fighting because it’s worth it.”
Melissa, another incarcerated person, said she wishes she would have brought tissues.
“Things like this show me that change is possible,” she said.
Watch the video:
Video by Chris Medina, TV Communications Center, Director (specialist)
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications
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