From St. Peter, Minnesota: Checking in with Ben Alverson
Ben Alverson returns to the Prison Pen Pal Podcast for his third appearance, and a lot has changed since we last checked in with him at the Civil Commitment Center in St. Peter, Minnesota. Ben discusses the changes he’s seen in the program, the possibility of moving more quickly toward life outside the facility, and […]
What If Your Worst Mistake at 16 Meant Life in Prison? The Nicco Plowden Interview
On this episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve is joined by Nicco Plowden from the Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus, New York. Nicco, incarcerated for well over three decades, shares his journey from growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s, getting caught up in street life, and eventually being sentenced to […]
Stories From a Mentally Ill Inmate: Where Fantasy and Certainty Collide
In this episode, we talk to a prisoner who lives with severe mental illness. He shares stories about his life — tales of great wealth, global fame, and wild adventures — that reveal the depth of his personal convictions, even as they depart from reality. Our goal isn’t to challenge his beliefs or judge his […]
He Wrote to a Woman Serving 40 Years in Prison…Then Married Her
Erik Beller had a Master’s degree in Education, a professional career, and a seemingly good life. But just as things were really starting to fall into place, his brother died of an overdose. Then, on Erik’s birthday, his best friend, John, also passed away. These tragic events set Erik on a downward spiral of addiction, […]
Pen, Paint, and a Lifelong Friendship: Anya Blakeley and Mike Tran
When Baltimore artist Anya Blakeley walked away from a high-stress job in the criminal legal system, she knew it was time for a change. Anya began searching for meaning and healing in a world that suddenly felt broken. Her journey led her to the Justice Arts Coalition, a group that didn’t just talk about change, […]
From Survival to Second Chances: Anjel Ocegueda’s Journey Toward a Better Future
Growing up near Chicago, Illinois, Anjel Ocegueda learned by age 13 that the environment around you can shape the course of your life. “The streets take a toll on you. Whether it’s your environment, the people around you, or something that happens to your friends or family, you feel like you have to choose a […]
Miguel Cordero: Prison Pen Pal, Singer, and Artist
Before becoming a resident of one of Florida’s most demanding correctional facilities, prison pen pal Miguel Cordero was immersed in the world of video games, logging countless hours on various consoles. However, following his arrest and the onset of a daunting 20-year sentence, he found himself grappling with intense emotions and a fiery temper. His […]
Catfished Behind Bars – Could Cops Be Using the GettingOut App Pretending to be Underage?
Jason Evick is currently serving time at the Toledo Correctional Institution in Ohio for a violent crime. In Ohio and many other states, inmates have access to an app called GettingOut, which allows them to receive emails directly on their prison tablets. While this technology can significantly enhance communication with pen pals outside, it also […]
Serial Killer Pen Pal: DeWayne Lee Harris
In the 1990s, DeWayne Lee Harris was responsible for the tragic deaths of multiple women, earning infamy in the Seattle, Washington area under chilling monikers such as Chilly Willy, The Seattle Jungle Killer, and The Seattle Shoelace Slasher. His heinous acts included tying up victims like Denise Marie Harris and Antoinette Jones with their own […]
Jason Kurtz’s Fitness and Wisdom
Jason Kurtz is a PenPals.Buzz member who lives and loves fitness. He remembers his first workout at the age of 11; since then, he never looked back. Over the past 30+ years, Jason has managed over 15 gyms, has worked for companies that sell fitness equipment, and even got arrested and sent to prison due […]