Episode 38: Locked Down Again

Illustration by Antwan Williams

As the coronavirus pandemic locks down parts of America and the world, we revisit an episode from 2018 about how the San Quentin community manages a prison lockdown.

During a San Quentin lockdown, the prison grinds to a halt, and men are confined to their cells 24 hours a day. What causes a lockdown, and how do guys survive the wait when boredom, uncertainty, hunger and isolation can push them over the edge?

A heads-up: this episode contains discussion of suicide and self-harm — listener discretion is advised. You can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Thanks to Michael Williams, Jason Perry, Aaron Taylor, Jessie Vasquez and Lee Jasper for sharing their stories with us. Thanks also to Gregg Sayers for performing his song “Lost in Time,” with additional vocals by Eric Abercrombie, aka Maserati E.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Also thanks to Native Deodorant, Stanford Children’s Hospital, Article Furniture, and CBS Interactive: The Lost Tapes.

Find the transcript for “Locked Down Again” here, and download the episode here.