The Prison Podcast
The Prison Podcast gives voice to survivors of violent crimes and the individuals convicted of those crimes, uncovering powerful stories that are often excluded from public discourse.
Hosted by Diane Kahn, Executive Director of Humans of San Quentin, the podcast focuses on the transformative process of Victim Offender Dialogue—a facilitated meeting in a prison setting where survivors of harm meet face-to-face with those responsible for it. This process allows both sides to share their experiences, ask and answer difficult questions, and explore the potential for understanding and healing.
In each episode, we delve into the intimate, often challenging dynamics of these dialogues, offering an unfiltered look at the complexities of harm, accountability, and reconciliation. The conversations are raw and transformative, as participants navigate difficult emotions, confront their pasts, and ultimately experience profound personal and communal growth.
Unlike traditional true crime media, The Prison Podcast prioritizes reconciliation, personal agency, and the human side of justice. It’s a platform for empathy and understanding, designed to challenge assumptions and inspire meaningful change.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Ahimsa Collective, whose vision and support have been essential in bringing this podcast to life. From programs like People First Reentry to Healing Pathways, their commitment to restorative justice and community healing is woven through every episode. To learn more about Victim Offender Dialogue, please visit their website at https://www.ahimsacollective.net/vods.
Finally, we’re proud to feature Hands of Stone, the podcast’s cover art, created by Jorge—an artist whose personal journey aligns deeply with our themes of resilience and transformation.
Music by Jacob Bloomfield-Misrach.
About Humans of San Quentin
We are a humanitarian non-profit sharing the lives of people inside prison with the outside world. Our mission is to collect real stories shared by incarcerated people in order to bring awareness and build connections. Our aim is to give voice to the unheard. We aspire to educate and build compassion by sharing the lives of humans living behind bars.
Our work is a reminder of our shared humanity. Through first-person narrative storytelling, we present personal stories which break down stereotypes and humanize people living behind bars. Employing presently and previously incarcerated people whenever possible, HoSQ engages everyone – both inside and outside of prison – with educational opportunities for growth, healing and creating lasting societal change.
We invite you to visit our website at https://humansofsanquentin.org/ to learn more about our work. If you feel inspired, we welcome your support through a donation to further our efforts in promoting positive rehabilitation within prisons and fostering a deeper public understanding of this transformative process.
Episodes
11 episodes
Bonus Episode: Hands of Stone
This week features a special bonus episode of The Prison Podcast! We sit down with Jorge, an incarcerated artist from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, whose powerful artwork graces our show. During his time in prison, Jorge not only ...
Episode 10: The Power of Bearing Witness
In this episode, Martina from the Ahimsa Collective takes us into the often misunderstood world of Victim-Offender Dialogue. With deep empathy and insight, she explores the traumatic experiences that shape both survivors and offenders. Her work...
Episode 9: Don't You Trust Me?
This week, Diane sits down with Tristan, who shares his journey of confronting the childhood trauma he endured. At a young age, Tristan made the difficult decision to speak out, leading to his cousin’s arrest. His cousin's actions, which had af...
Episode 8: It Wasn't About The Bike
In this episode, Steven opens up about his tumultuous past — growing up on welfare, surviving through drug dealing, and enduring the lasting effects of domestic violence. He reflects on how his life spiraled into addiction and the long, painful...
Episode 7: All That Anger
This week’s episode shares Michele’s remarkable journey. After losing her husband during a burglary, her grief hardened into anger toward the man responsible. This anger overshadowed her ability to reflect on her husband’s own challenges, inclu...
Episode 6: Facing Redemption
Today, we’re speaking with Alan, the person responsible for the tragic death of Emily, whose story we discussed in last week's episode. While intoxicated, Alan struck Emily, leading to her death. In that episode, we heard from Emily’s mother, E...
Episode 5: I Have A Hug For You
This week’s episode features Elle, a mother who shows us the profound beauty of carrying grief with grace. She faced the devastating loss of her daughter, Emily, in a tragic accident caused by a drunk driver in Los Angeles.Over time, Ell...
Episode 4: Hurt People Hurt People
Today’s guest is Christopher, who served 25 years in various California prisons as part of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During his time in prison, he acted as Jane’s surrogate in their Victim-Offender Dialogue.In thi...
Episode 3: Breaking the Silence
Today, we have a remarkable guest joining us: Jane, who has an incredibly powerful story to share. As a survivor of rape, Jane has faced unimaginable trauma, yet her journey of healing and empowerment is truly inspiring. In this episode...
Episode 2: A Life Worth Living
In the last episode, Melissa shared the heartbreaking story of losing her father, killed by Matthew in 1993 when he was just 22 years old. Now, after 30 years of incarceration, Matthew opens up about his experience, offering a powerful example ...
Episode 1: Never Too Late
In this powerful first episode, The Prison Podcast dives into the gripping and emotional journey of Melissa, a woman grappling with loss, forgiveness, and love after the tragic death of her father during a family gathering. As she reflects on t...