A “kite” is prison slang for a written note, and since Ear Hustle launched we’ve encouraged listeners to send in their questions about daily life inside San Quentin, via postcards, or kites. In this episode, we answer a handful of kites received via voice messages from listeners, touching on spectacle, humor, mental health, laundry and more.

A heads-up: this episode contains graphic descriptions of violence — listener discretion is advised.

Thanks to Rahsaan “New York” Thomas for helping out with this episode, and thanks also to the following guys who helped answer questions:

Strangest Thing Question: Trevor Woods, Andrew Hardy, Anthony Bootsie Coleman, Lawrence Udukobraye Pela, Ernie Cuadras, Thomas Ford, Brian Asey
Laundry Question: Adrian D. Johnson, Travis Westly, David Ditto, Shawn Garth, Ventrell Johnson
Mental Health Question: Darren Shoemake, Mike Adams, Anthony “Ant” Ammons
Comedy Question: Jonathan Chiu, Eric Lamont Durr
C.O. Question: C.O. Rojas, C.O. Santos, C.O. Smith, C.O. Gil
Callers: Chris, Pat, Kerry, Susie, Kevin

This episode was scored with music by Antwan Williams, David Jassy and E. Phil Phillips. We’re grateful to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the show.

You can find the transcript to “Catch a Kite 3” here, and you can download the episode here.

And thanks to Nectar for supporting this episode.

P.S. Check out the San Quentin News, who work in the media lab with us. And have you ordered one of our brand new Ear Hustle mugs yet?

Episode 23: Catch a Kite 3