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.
The Prison Podcast
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 of trauma, growth, and reconciliation even in the most unimaginable circumstances.
Since his conviction, Matthew has participated in a rare victim-offender dialogue with Melissa. This process allowed them both to engage in honest communication—giving Matthew a chance to take responsibility for his actions and Melissa a space to voice her pain and anger. In this episode, Matthew reflects on how this dialogue helped him confront the consequences of his crime and grasp the profound human toll of his actions in ways he hadn’t before.
This content may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners.
Executive Producer: Diane Kahn
Producer: Elaine Ferguson
Producer: Emerson Swift
Producer: Joanne Lubeck Esser
Producer: Laura Hardy
Editor: Olivia Muse
Editor: Josh Latham
Assistant Editor: Colin Parker
Assistant Editor: Max Cohen
Music: Jacob Bloomfield-Misarch
Artwork: Jorge Ramirez
A special thank you to the Ahimsa Collective and the Mend Collective. Ahimsa focuses on restorative justice, fostering healing and accountability through dialogue between victims and offenders, while Mend supports emotional and psychological healing through community-based initiatives. A heartfelt thanks as well to Martina Lutz Schneider and Miguel Quezada, whose dedication to restorative practices and conflict resolution has been vital in advancing these important efforts.
This content may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners.
Executive Producer: Diane Kahn
Producer: Elaine Ferguson
Producer: Emerson Swift
Producer: Laura Hardy
Editor: Josh Latham
Music: Jacob Bloomfield-Misarch
Artwork: Jorge Ramirez
A special thank you to the Ahimsa Collective and the Mend Collective. Ahimsa focuses on restorative justice, fostering healing and accountability through dialogue between victims and offenders, while Mend supports emotional and psychological healing through community-based initiatives. A heartfelt thanks as well to Martina Lutz Schneider and Miguel Quezada, whose dedication to restorative practices and conflict resolution has been vital in advancing these important efforts.