Prison Pen Pal Podcast

What happens when you've spent nearly 30 years behind bars, but you still have a whole lot to say? Meet John Davis, a 53-year-old incarcerated man in Rhode Island. John is a passionate writer, artist, and poet who believes that genuine friendships are built on honesty, respect, and giving each other your time. His motto for anyone considering writing him? “Write Me 20 Pages, and I'll Write You 25!...

GHOST HAUNTS WITH JASON KURTZ – A HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! Something strange is happening at the Prison Pen Pal Podcast studio... Could it be the ghost of Big Steve? This Halloween, we're opening the door to the supernatural and inviting you along for a creepy conversation with Wisconsin prisoner Jason Kurtz, author of Secret Tales of the Supernatural and our resident OG ghost hunter! Jason joins Big St...

In this emotionally charged and controversial episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast , Big Steve welcomes Matthew Reynolds back to the show after his appearance earlier in 2026. This time, Matthew has written a lengthy, deeply personal letter in an effort to tell his side of the story and explain the relationship he says changed his life. Currently incarcerated at Great Plains Correctional Center i...

In this eye-opening episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve shares the story of William Leverett, who confessed to killing Melissa Millan, a 54‑year‑old senior vice president at MassMutual, while she was jogging at night in Simsbury, Connecticut. William had gotten away with the crime for four years, but ultimately confessed to the crime. Once he got to prison, he wondered whether anyone...

Thinking about writing to a prison pen pal? Before you choose an inmate, you might want to think about what state they’re incarcerated in . In this quick-hit episode, Big Steve breaks down which states and messaging services can make communicating with an inmate easy—and which ones can turn it into a frustrating nightmare. He covers Corrlinks, JPay, Securus, Getting Out, Smart Inmate, and Corrlink...

Robert from Illinois is back on the Prison Pen Pal Podcast—and this time, he has some incredible news to share. After first appearing on the podcast earlier in 2026, Robert has continued building friendships with people he met through PenPals. Buzz. One of those pen pals is Lenora Mcelwee, a 69-year-old woman who spent 34 years in prison. After years of being denied parole, Lenora finally went bef...

How many prison pen pals is too many? Is it okay to write to more than one person? What about 10? Is 100 too many? In this first Quick Hit episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve shares his perspective based on more than a decade of experience as a pen pal and years of running PenPals. Buzz, one of the largest prison pen pal websites. Steve explores what happens when a friendship with a p...

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 his upcoming court proceedings. He also explains how some people are now making it...

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 55 years to life for crimes committed as a teenager. He talks about the r...

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 narrative, but to listen, and to reflect on the lived experience of mental illness behind...

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, homelessness, and ultimately jail. While incarcerated, Erik was beaten, almost...

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, but created it by matching incarcerated artists with creative allies on the outside. E...

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 side ." As a sixth and seventh grader, Anjel excelled in school. He earned straight A's, m...

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 notorious anger earned him the moniker "Psycho"...

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 carries potential risks. When we think about prison...

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 carries potential risks. When we think about prison...

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 shoelaces, ultimately strangling them with a belt. H...

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 shoelaces, ultimately strangling them with a belt. H...

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 to his involvement with a supplement he encountered during his fitness journey. In this episod...

Jacobi Thornsberry’s journey began in the vibrant streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. Seeking an escape from the bustling chaos of the city, he made the leap to Oregon. However, fate had other plans, and within three years, he found himself behind bars in an Oregon prison. Loneliness settled in, and the thought of finding a meaningful connection crossed his mind. He considered WriteAPrisoner.com as...

Jacobi Thornsberry’s journey began in the vibrant streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. Seeking an escape from the bustling chaos of the city, he made the leap to Oregon. However, fate had other plans, and within three years, he found himself behind bars in an Oregon prison. Loneliness settled in, and the thought of finding a meaningful connection crossed his mind. He considered WriteAPrisoner.com as...

Changing your name while incarcerated is impossible in some states, and quite easy in others. There are countless reasons why someone behind bars might feel the need to legally reinvent themselves. In this episode, we’ll explore the inspiring story of Savannah Turner, formerly Gena, an incarcerated member of PenPals. Buzz. Currently incarcerated for identity theft, Savannah has moved beyond a trou...

Changing your name while incarcerated is impossible in some states, and quite easy in others. There are countless reasons why someone behind bars might feel the need to legally reinvent themselves. In this episode, we’ll explore the inspiring story of Savannah Turner, formerly Gena, an incarcerated member of PenPals. Buzz. Currently incarcerated for identity theft, Savannah has moved beyond a trou...

"Welcome to More than an Inmate's Girlfriend. I'm your host, Jae," speaks a soothing voice each week from her podcast studio in Canada. Since 2024, Jae Ely has been releasing podcast episodes aimed at reducing the stigma associated with prisoners, prison wives, and even pen pals who choose to write to prison inmates. Jae, who is married to an inmate (yet not allowed to communicate with him!) talks...

"Welcome to More than an Inmate's Girlfriend. I'm your host, Jae," speaks a soothing voice each week from her podcast studio in Canada. Since 2024, Jae Ely has been releasing podcast episodes aimed at reducing the stigma associated with prisoners, prison wives, and even pen pals who choose to write to prison inmates. Jae, who is married to an inmate (yet not allowed to communicate with him!) talks...