Episode 58: The Whole Shabang

Illustration by Antwan Williams

Toothpaste, ramen noodles, sneakers, coffee creamer … If you want to shop from prison, it’s either the commissary or a prison-approved package catalog. These packages offer a connection to the outside world, but sometimes they make the distance seem even greater.

Thanks to Peter Michael Lopez, Anthony Valencia, Charlie, Sam Brown, Rodney Turner, and the rest of the folks at the Lancaster prison. Thanks also to Kevin Sawyer and the rest of the guys we heard from at San Quentin. Thanks to Quan Huynh for his thoughts on package catalogs. And thanks to Terry Thornton and Alia Cruz at CDCR for their help.

This episode was scored with music by Antwan Williams, Maserati E, and David Jassy.

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.