When you’re incarcerated, are your dreams set outside prison walls? Or out on the prison yard? Are they a comforting space to escape to? Or a painful reminder of what you no longer have? From lucid dreams to wet dreams to dreams of freedom, we ask how incarceration changes what you see when you sleep.

Special thanks to Casper and Ollie at ABO Comix for introducing us to artists from their recent Dreams issue. Thanks also to James Carr, Aaron Gilmer, Greg St. Mary, Michael Williams, Vernon Evans, and Lamavis C — aka Shorty — for talking to us out on the yard at San Quentin.

Episode artwork by Shelley Small.

Each episode this season will feature new artwork by a different incarcerated artist. It’s part of a collaboration between Ear Hustle and the San Quentin Prison Arts Project, which is part of the William James Association (WJA) and is also supported by California's Arts in Corrections program.

Since 1977, the WJA has helped prepare participants for a successful return to their communities by building family connections, teaching social and communication skills, and giving students an opportunity to contribute. You can find out more about WJA here, and donate to help support its work here.

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

Big thanks to Guim’Mara Berry and 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 85: Dream On