Visiting a loved one in prison is both emotionally intense and constrained by countless rules — from how much PDA is too much PDA, to what kind of candy you can eat inside. One year after California prison authorities suspended in-person visits due to COVID-19, we bring you stories from and about visiting rooms, and hear how families are adjusting to video “visits.”

Heard on this episode: Nicola Christopher Bucci and Frank Jernigan, Sgt. Cuevas, Helen Theresa Guion, Michael Hatch, Vesta, and Ruben. Inside San Quentin: Hamisi Spears, Lacedrick Johnson, Elton Spencer, Michael Marler, Kim Puckett, Anthony Ammons, Bashar Aremu, Floyd Collins, Brandon Browner, and Nephew.

Thanks also to Alesha Monteiro, Michelle Garcia, Michelle Tran, and all the women who shared stories about their video visits.

This episode was scored with music by Antwan Williams, David Jassy, Gregg Sayers, and Rhashiyd Zinnamon.

As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

You can download the episode here and find the transcript here.

Episode 54: Hot Trash