For years, we’ve asked incarcerated people to speculate on the difference between life inside a men’s prison and inside a women’s. Now we’re finally getting answers, thanks to a 2021 law allowing transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people to transfer to prisons that match their gender identity. For some, the law has been life-changing; for others … not so much.

Thanks to Kier Anderson, Cassidy Porter, Michelle Cato, Miccal Martinez, Leroy Robinson, and Anne Marie Harrison for talking to us for this episode. Special thanks to Casper Cendre at ABO Comix, and to Lt. William Newborg and everyone else at the California Institution for Women for welcoming our team.

Episode artwork by Holly Stuckey.

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, Darrell Sadiq Davis, Earlonne Woods, and Rhashiyd Zinnamon.

Big thanks to Guim'Mara Berry and Acting Warden Oak Smith for their support of the show.

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

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

Episode 88: Do You Know Who I Am?