Notes From The Pen

Beyond The Bars is a series of stories, as told by a former inmate, highlighting one of failures of mass incarceration - prison gangs.  Stories he wasn't able to share - until now - an eye opening, riveting peek behind the razor wire.  Part 1 is now available. Overcrowding, inadequate management of prisons, and lack of resources (nationwide) creates an environment where the "convict code" (informa...

Sharing the mic with GR Joe on this episode. One of the things Bobby is passionate about is continuing his efforts with prison reform and highlighting some of the misconceptions about people behind bars. In true Bobby fashion he finds some humor in being sent to the hole, along with some heartfelt emotions as they talk about the fear of losing a loved one while incarcerated.  You can read more abo...

Host Bobby and co-host JD reflect on Bobby's entire first day out of prison. He went from doing time in prison, to doing time with his favorite stand-up comedian Doug. I can't think of another day when an inmate walked out of prison and ended up on a stage performing with headliners like Doug Stanhope and Andy Andrist. A dream come true. Special shout out to Doug and Andy, and please check...

This is a short update on Bobby and his release. As you can imagine he's working on getting his feet under him and organizing things for life on the outside. He's doing well as he navigates the world after being out of it for over 12 years. When he returns, he has lots of ideas, surprise guests, and important topics, and can't wait to get them off the ground so please stay tuned. Thank...

This is the last episode that Bobby will record on an active prison yard and he wanted to thank everyone for their support. Going forward he’ll be on the outside of those prison walls, so stay tuned. I wasn’t able to edit the recording since I’m on the road to pick Bobby up at the prison. You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:    notesfromthepen.com    And check out the Go...

The fight for justice, even with the best intentions, can overlook the people it's trying to save. Bobby shares an article about an artist, who was asked by a department of corrections, to provide artwork for its facilities. In a well meaning attempt to highlight the failures of mass incarceration, the artist refused the offer. Their attempt to make a moral stand actual hurts inmates who view...

Bobby is nearly free with only 1 more episode in prison, and in two weeks he'll be on this side of the razor wire spouting off at the mouth as a free man. Inflation hits the prison, mama c has decided to stop screaming in to the social media void, Bobby does some memory time-traveling as he spins some final laps on the prison yard, and perhaps people on the outside need to start living like they'r...

Bobby and Co-host JD are back to spin laps as they talk about their comedic hero, how life in prison teaches profound lessons of tolerance and understanding (something desperately missing in the outside world right now), and the polarizing death of Charlie Kirk. You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:    notesfromthepen.com And check out the  GoFundMe  to help with Bobby’s...

As Bobby gets closer and closer to the door, the more important staying invisible becomes. He reflects on the life and death rules you learn during incarceration, and how he now has one foot inside the prison and one on the outside. Less than a month to go for his release. You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:    notesfromthepen.com And check out the  GoFundMe  to help wi...

Bobby understanding how living in a giant void in prison, affects his perception of what life on the outside looks like when he's released next month. How to build a mental construct of life outside of prison.  You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:    notesfromthepen.com And check out the  GoFundMe  to help with Bobby’s new start   https://www.gofundme.com/f/j3khzk-he...

Alright, so this is a repeat. Look, the weather in Michigan is crapy, they keep closing the prison yard, and Bobby has been a bit down lately so coordinating prison phone time has been a bitch this week. I spent over 30 mins trying to figure out which ep to replay, it's after 10 pm and this old lady is tired, so I threw a dart and it landed on this one. Which by the way is a good one! So there...

Bobby grapples with understanding his mood changes while recording these episodes, and returning from the black hole of prison. You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:    notesfromthepen.com And check out the  GoFundMe  to help with Bobby’s new start   https://www.gofundme.com/f/j3khzk-help-for-a-new-start Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NotesFromThePen Instagram:  https://ww...

A close call at the prison phone kiosk is a reminder of the lack of phone-line integrity with the newer inmates. Bobby also reflects on the emotions of re-visiting the places that he shared with Monica, and the feeling of floating between prison and the future. Last, the story of a man who was left as brain dead, and after a long battle was able to slowly regain his life with the love and support...

Bobby shares how prison affects his OCD and what he's learned about it during his 12 years behind bars, and what topic to talk about on his last episode in prison. He also mentions Leo Stanley, America's Dr. Frankenstein, who experimented with testicular transplants on inmates from 1913 - 1951. He took testicles from dead civilians and transplanted them in inmates believing it would stop criminal...

Bobby talks about the art pieces he's currently working on. To learn more please go to our website https://www.notesfromthepen.com/new-page-31

Bobby is experiencing more stress the closer he gets to the door, he's never passed a mirror he didn't like, the art desert in prison, and subverting the gate keepers. You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:    notesfromthepen.com And check out the  GoFundMe  to help with Bobby’s new start   https://www.gofundme.com/f/j3khzk-help-for-a-new-start Twitter:  https://tw...

Come spin a few laps on the prison yard with Bobby and Co-Host JD. There's a bunkie in the cube that holds on to his feelings until they boil over, and hoarding in prison is a real thing for Bobby. This episode is on the short side because...well...it's a prison podcast, Bobby's a bit down, JD is out of town, and mama c needs to get this out by tomorrow, so I'm using a back up epis...

Bobby, standing on the threshold of freedom after 12 years, grapples with the rollercoaster of feelings that comes with it. He recounts his initial surge of anxiety when well-meaning parents, in a sincere effort to help, made a significant decision about his life on the outside without his input. For someone whose past 12 years have been entirely controlled by others, this felt like a continuation...

Bobby and Co-host JD are back this week and dive into how easy it is to imagine you'd never end up in prison. "There but for the grace of God go I." Have you ever had that extra beer, or glass of wine, and got behind the wheel? There's a difference between intended violent criminal actions, and accidents, but the media and general population don't always make that distinction...

Bobby is sick, so we're not able to record this week. He's okay, just feeling under the weather. I thought I'd play this one again because it ties into Bobby's last year of prison. Even though this was recorded in 2021 it talks about 'lasts' which is what Bobby is going through for the next 3 moths. We'll be back next week with a new recording, so stay tuned. Bobby hits...

Who is your favorite Diaz Brother, Shane Gillis is a big boy, the tattoos you get in the real world take on a whole new meaning behind bars, placing new inmates in max security joints lead the fresh inmates down the fraternity path, and POC (Paint On Canvas) art. Plus a post show clip. You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:    notesfromthepen.com And check out the  GoFundM...

Michale Bay movies, an emotional dilemma on the prison yard and, for the first time in history, the Federal Bureau Of Prisons (BOP) has appointed a former inmate to the position of Deputy Director. Will this appointment mark a turning point in prison reform? Bobby shares his thoughts on the man responsible for this decision, and what it means to someone still serving a prison sentence.  You can re...

Join a conversation that begins with mythology and how others may view an individual. Bobby reflects on the mistakes and missteps of youth, the moments that, in hindsight, make us wince. But this isn't just about regret; it's about growth and exploring how confronting our past selves can be a powerful catalyst for change. How would others from your past describe you? Have you ever looked back at y...

Prison culture encompasses the values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors that emerge within a prison environment. What happens when this culture changes? Bobby shares valuable insight on how prison is shaped by the 'prison code', a set of unwritten rules crucial for maintaining order and safety within prison. What happens when what was once order among convicts is becoming chaos? You can read...

Bobby talks about joining the Marines, priority changes as we age, and just trying to get across the line during his last few months in prison. You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:    notesfromthepen.com And check out the  GoFundMe  to help with Bobby’s new start   https://www.gofundme.com/f/j3khzk-help-for-a-new-start Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NotesFromThePen Instag...