Red Onion Randy - Life in a Supermax Prison

It’s illegal for inmates to produce or consume alcohol in prison, but that doesn’t stop them from trying.  In this episode, Randy describes some popular recipes for the hard stuff. He tells the story of what happened when one prisoner drank way too much mash, and ends with a cautionary tale of the risks involved for the innocent  when the mash is discovered in a cell. Red Onion Randy features the...

In the 23 years since Randy has been incarcerated at Red Onion, he's never received a single visitor. It's not because  family and friends aren't prepared to make the journey to the remote mountain location, it's because he chooses not to have visitors. Why? In this episode, Randy explains  the impossible dilemma he faces, and  gives a vivid account of the range of different visitation experiences...

Back when Randy was still in "seg", he worked alongside other prisoners, folding paper napkins around sporks. It offered a rare  opportunity  to socialize  and have some fun. One day, his buddy Frank proposed a dare. If Randy could consume an entire bag of coffee at one go -- and keep it down for an hour -- Frank wolud give him $20. Would Randy accept the dare? Of course, he would!

Friendships presuppose trust, but in prison  you can't trust anyone. In this episode, Randy explores the contradictory nature of prisoners' interactions with one another. Should you trust or not trust? Should you guard  against opening up or should you allow others to come close enough to form friendships? "We need to be human," says Randy, explaining how it's possible to "have friendships without...

Slinky, Ghost, LA, Murder, Headbuster ... Names matter in prison, and almost everyone has some kind of nickname. In this episode "Red Onion" Randy explains why it's sometimes safer to hide your real name in prison and better to have a  handle. Over the years, Randy has had a few himself, as he recounts. Need a catchy nickname? Just ask Randy. Red Onion Randy features  the life and times of Randall...

Regular listener Kevin emailed Randy to ask  Randy if he had have any special recipes he could share?  He certainly did. Here are Randy's all-time favorites, including one recipe for a lot more than just a good meal. Red Onion Randy features  the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbut...

If you or a loved one face the prospect of incarceration, this is a must-listen episode!. Randy answers a question from a listener who wants to know what advice he would give her boyfriend who is about to start serving a long sentence in a Federal prison. Randy's useful tips include ingenious strategy on how to avoid the gangs and how to get a sentence reduction for good behavior.  Red Onion Randy...

Randy finds himself in a situation where there seems no way to avoid a fight. "I'm actually proud of myself", says Randy, "because I remained calm, collected and controlling my emotions."  He leaves us with an impressive appeal: "If you ever find yourself in this situation, do your best to de-escalate it."Winning a fight, whether it's physical, verbal, intellectual or emotional may give you a sens...

As a child, Randy's ambition was to learn martial arts so no one would be able to hurt him again.  In this episode, Randy describes the intoxicating feeling he used to feel in using skill and speed to dominate an opponent. But from a street fighter with low self-esteem and an urge to fight for its own sake, Randy became a man of peace who came to appreciate martial arts as source of discipline and...

At a very early age Randy knew that if he was going to survive, he'd have to fight, and fight hard. Exposed to a world of childhood violence, he drew on natural skill and fearlessness to give as good as he got-- and sometimes a lot more.  By the time he was a teen in juvenile detention, Randy was ready to hone his fighting skills in "Gladiator School", where the only rule was that there were no ru...

Randy almost lost his virginity back when he was a teenager, after absconding from a co-ed juvenile detention facility with two teenage girls.  Almost, but not quite, thanks to the sudden arrival of an unexpected party.  Randy's account of his teenage escapade is full of humor and wit.  It's a counterpoint to the loneliness and longing for intimacy he describes as a 42-year-old who has now lived w...

Randy recalls the time in his childhood when he lived in a boys' camp in the woods. One day, while walking in the hills, he encountered a herd of wild horses. It was to become the favorite memory of his childhood, a memory that continues to sustain him in the long, hard years of life in prison. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red...

Why is the color of inmates' shoes at Red Onion always white? What does it mean when one guy tells another to "Lace 'em up"? Find out in Randy's comprehensive guide to the forms, fashions, and functions of .... footwear at Red Onion. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced b...

The Keefe Supply Company is the leading provider of clothing and shoes (and food, personal care items and electronics) to American prisons. Despite the expense, prisoners who can afford to buy clothing from "Keefe commissary" much prefer it to standard prison issue.  After you hear Randy explain what can happen when prisoners receive prison-issue clothing, you will understand the reason why. Red O...

In a wide-ranging, impassioned monologue, Randy shares his thoughts on police violence, systemic racism, the negative influence of TV cop shows, and the ways we can all make a positive difference by listening to our hearts and advocating peacefully for justice.  Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital mu...

This episode presents a unique personal account of the enduring challenge of systemic racism in American society. Randy describes his experience of discrimination as a child and his first encounters with racial prejudice in juvenile detention and subsequently in prison. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for ca...

Randy describes his friendship -- and subsequent falling out -- with Lee Boyd Malvo, one of the two notorious "Beltway Snipers" who terrorized Washington DC for three weeks in 2002. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podcast design by Nis...

Randy introduces an interview with Gay Gardner from IAHR -- Interfaith Action for Human Rights -- a Washington DC-based organisation that advocates and educates to minimise the use of solitary confinement and other unnecessarily harsh practices. https://www.interfaithactionhr.orgWhen Randy faced a major health challenge, Gay helped get him treated. But even while undergoing medical assessment, Ran...

Randy reflects on Christmases, past and present in prison. When he was a child he never really had a chance to celebrate much, and now he chooses not. Just like Thanksgiving and birthdays, Christmas is just another day. But there was one magical Christmas, Randy remembers from his childhood. He was seven years old and he and his brothers received a special present -- a Dr Pepper bike. Red Onion Ra...

Randy answers your questions about his responsibility for the crimes he committed; his favorite film and TV shows; his relationships with the prison warden. He also describes an incident in which he flooded his cell - and the rest of the tier - as a protest. Randy is always happy to answer any questions you have. Please write to him at redonionrandy.com. Red Onion Randy features the life and times...

What kinds of jobs are open for inmates in Red Onion? What's the rate of pay? And what's the absolute worst job in prison?  Find out the answers from Red Onion Randy, the man who's worked them all. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and podca...

Randy tells a story of a showdown between Headbuster, a 6'2" gangbanger, and the rookie CO serving dinner trays on the tier. The ensuing standoff is resolved in the most unusual way. As Randy says, it's one of the funniest he's ever seen in prison. The episode features the hip hop music of Dutch Nelsar. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 year...

Twenty-two years into his sentence of life without the possibility of parole, Randy feels the walls of his cell closing in around him, his resilience at breaking point, his sense of hope fading. In this powerful confession of mental torment, Randy's spirit finally shines through -- he cannot give up, he will not -- but he sure comes close as he faces a situation that is truly ... a damn nightmare....

Randy describes the many difficulties that Red Onion inmates face in getting a good night's sleep. A mix of noise, excessive light, physical discomfort and  anxiety all conspire to make night at ROSP an uncomfortable and lonely time. At  the end of the episode, Randy introduces a haunting melody composed by pianist Jooyeon Park -- the Red Onion Lullaby. Red Onion Randy features the life and times...

The mind-numbing boredom of life in solitary can lead to a corrosive, all-consuming  anger.  Randy describes how he saved himself through the power of his imagination and the refuge of fantasy fiction. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Website and p...