AQS Inmate Call

When you are sentenced to life, the system doesn’t just take your time—it rapidly consumes your body. In this episode of AQS Inmate Call, we expose the brutal reality of "accelerated aging" behind bars. Studies show incarceration fast-forwards the human body by 10 to 15 years, but for women, that biological clock spins even faster. Right now, women in their early 50s are experiencing chr...

When states abolish discretionary parole, does early release actually disappear? In this episode of AQS Inmate Call , Joel breaks down a powerful, eye-opening brief by the Prison Policy Initiative that exposes the hidden reality of truth-in-sentencing laws. Seventeen states and Washington D.C. have shifted to "determinate sentencing," but their taxpayer-funded parole boards never packed...

Reentry isn’t a moment — it’s a maze. This episode breaks down Washington’s Reentry Navigator program, the statewide push behind it, and the lived reality of people trying to rebuild their lives after incarceration. The wins, the barriers, the policy, and the human cost of getting reentry wrong.

In this episode, we expose the quiet crisis spreading through America's correctional facilities: the systematic replacement of physical mail with digital scanning and the ongoing war of attrition against in-person family visitation. We look at the administrative arguments behind these policies and counter them with the harsh reality of the human toll they extract. Drawing heavily from the Pris...

In the podcast “The Case of Shalin Alltus,” Shalin recounts the events that led to her uncle’s murder. In this episode, Shalin’s cousin, Americus Alltus, provides the victim’s perspective on the incident.

Imagine your lowest moments becoming your greatest source of strength. Krissi Jacobson’s raw and powerful story reveals how she faced trauma in prison and endured sexual harassment, leading her to rediscover her purpose and resilience. After a tumultuous life marked by addiction, crime, and multiple stints behind bars, Krissi embarked on a journey of self-awareness and healing. Despite the negativ...

The debate over prison housing just hit the federal level. The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil‑rights investigation into the Washington Corrections Center for Women — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This episode breaks down why the issue has exploded nationally, focusing on the core concerns driving public and legal pushback around housing biological male inmates in women’s prison...

When the gate opens, the real test begins. In this episode of AQS Inmate Call, we break down why post‑incarceration DOC support is the difference between rebuilding a life… or getting pulled back into the system. We spotlight DOC programs that work — trauma‑informed reentry, peer‑led support, gender‑responsive services — and expose the failures that keep recidivism high, from releasing people into...

When is the last time you questioned the real human cost behind prison policies? A shocking investigation by the Office of the Corrections Ombuds exposes terrifying abuses in Washington's largest women’s prison — pepper spray attacks where safety guidelines were ignored, a woman nearly losing her life in a delayed rescue, and weeks of unjustified solitary confinement that leaves scars long after r...

Constitutional violations within government agencies—particularly the Department of Corrections—often remain hidden behind non-disclosure agreements and out-of-court settlements. We’re pulling back the curtain on these transgressions and discussing why DOC officials must be held publicly accountable in a court of law. It’s time to move past systemic silence and demand transparency for victims and...

This conversation explores the experiences of an inmate navigating the complexities of prison life, including legal advocacy, security levels, health and safety concerns, and the impact of flooding incidents. Renee McKean shares personal anecdotes about retaliation from prison authorities, challenges with roommates, and the overall environment within the correctional facility.

This episode of AQS Inmate Call investigates a harrowing night at the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW). Through first-hand accounts from residents Trinity Hayes Christensen and Renee , the podcast documents a systemic failure during an electrical fire and subsequent flood in the facility’s B-Pod. The description highlights several critical points of negligence and policy violations:...

For years, the Pacific Northwest was seen as a progressive utopia. But today, the headlines tell a grittier story. With Seattle ranking 4th in the nation for total crime and Portland following closely behind, the community is at a breaking point. But is the answer more "calibration" and handcuffs, or is it time for a deeper shift? In this episode, we break down: The Hard Data: Why proper...

A deep dive into why grievance systems in both federal prisons and Washington State reject nearly all complaints — especially medical ones. We break down new 2026 data, real stories from inside, and how “accountability” becomes a paper shield instead of protection. AQS Inmate Call brings the truth the system tries to bury.

A federal women’s prison in Texas is facing new allegations of staff sexual misconduct — and the story exposes a nationwide pattern that Washington State knows too well. This episode of AQS Inmate Call connects the dots between the failures at FPC Bryan and the long‑standing complaints inside Washington’s own prisons: ignored PREA reports, retaliation against survivors, stalled investigations, and...

In this episode of AQS Inmate Call, host Joel Wilborn shares the harrowing experiences of Cynthia Rhodes, a 66-year-old incarcerated woman at the Washington Correction Center for Women. Cynthia details her ongoing medical crises, alleged retaliation from prison staff, and systemic failures in healthcare within the prison system. The conversation highlights the emotional toll of incarceration, the...

In this episode of AQS Inmate Call, we go inside the walls of the Washington Corrections Center for Women to discover an unlikely source of healing: horses. Inspired by KING 5’s True Northwest reporting, we explore how these thousand-pound animals are teaching incarcerated women the art of emotional regulation and trust. In an environment where vulnerability is often a liability, we discuss why ho...

In this episode of AQS Inmate Call, host Joel Wilborn discusses the importance of advocating for inmates and addressing systemic issues within correctional facilities. He shares personal experiences and insights into the challenges faced by incarcerated individuals, particularly focusing on a severe medical error that occurred at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. The conversation emphas...

This episode explores the complex issues within the Washington State Department of Corrections, focusing on inmate safety, systemic failures, and the challenges of housing transgender inmates. Through compelling stories of inmates like Shane Goldsby, Amber Kim, Christopher Williams, and Sincera Norton, we examine how policies impact human lives and what reforms are needed.

This episode explores the realities of the correctional system, focusing on the importance of resources, healthcare, and advocacy for incarcerated individuals. The host shares personal insights and highlights systemic issues within Washington's correctional facilities, emphasizing the need for reform and community involvement.

Tina Stewart deserved safety. Instead, she became another preventable victim of intimate partner violence. In this episode of AQS Inmate Call , we examine the systemic failures that led to her death—and what it will take to stop the next tragedy before it happens. We break down the warning signs too often ignored, the gaps in accountability for repeat violent offenders, and the policy debate aroun...

Why do so many people return to prison after release—and what would it take to break the cycle? In this episode of AQS Inmate Call , we dig into the reality of recidivism in the United States: the numbers, the barriers, and the human stories behind the statistics. From employment and housing challenges to the gaps in reentry support, we explore how the system sets people up to fail—and what real s...

Idaho’s prison system is buckling under historic overcrowding and rising costs — and the state’s budget can’t keep up. This episode breaks down why the Idaho Department of Correction is facing a multimillion‑dollar shortfall, how inflation and population spikes are driving expenses, and what proposed cuts could mean for staff, counties, and public safety. Through clear analysis and grounded report...

This conversation delves into the critical issues surrounding the Washington State Department of Corrections, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and advocacy for incarcerated individuals. The host discusses the challenges faced by those within the system, including retaliation for speaking out and the inadequacies of the internal grievance process. The importance of independen...

In this episode, host Joel Wilborn tells the moving story of Cynthia Rhodes a wheelchair-using inmate at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. Through a series of emails, Cynthia shares her struggles with health problems, the challenges of navigating the prison system, and how changing her name from Cynthia Miller to Cynthia Rhodes has made it easier for her to get medical care. Their conve...