The Marshall Project’s Inside Story Podcast

We revisit the story of Cherie Mason, who was imprisoned after losing her pregnancy in Oklahoma, and is now free. Veteran rapper and wellness entrepreneur Styles P talks about the value of artistic expression, the use of rap lyrics in criminal trials and investing in the health of his community. We meet a magician who found that a hobby behind bars would be the key to his success on the outside. A...

We investigate the impact of the St. Louis police’s failure to solve murders, talk with rapper G. Dep about healing after turning himself in, dig into the trend of banning books inside correctional facilities and hear from incarcerated people about what brings them joy.   Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created by The Marshall Project to engage with and bring information to one of Ameri...

We report on how a company providing low-cost health care services at jails across the U.S. is stirring controversy. In an animated essay, Rafael Rodriguez describes how a mentor behind bars saved his life by teaching him to paint. Ex-banker and Harvard-trained lawyer Bianca Tylek unpacks profit-making in prison.   Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created by The Marshall Project to engag...

We follow a Tennessee woman as she goes to court to regain her right to vote after serving time behind bars, check in with entrepreneur Topeka Sam about her efforts to help other formerly incarcerated women rebuild their lives on the outside, and hear from a man from an immigrant family explain that nothing has made him feel more American than going to jail.   Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind s...

We explore the impact of prison staff shortages on incarcerated people, guards and their families. Also, comedian Donnell Rawlings talks about his military cop days and his “hustler” father, and a former New York state parole board commissioner explains how her experience serving on the panel changed the way she sees the system altogether. Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created by The...

We speak with actor Common about his work bringing music into prisons, report on incarcerated people’s fight to overturn their convictions from the now-discredited forensic science of hair analysis and explore the long history of music as an outlet for prisoners to create a future for themselves when they get out.   Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created by The Marshall Project to enga...

We explore violence at Thomson prison in Illinois, a deadly federal facility; sit down with actor La La Anthony to hear how she works to prepare young people for life on the outside; and see how a simple hobby helped a child with a life sentence continue to grow. Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created to engage with and bring information to one of America’s largest news deserts — its p...

Death penalty sentences may be on the decline, but many will spend their final days behind bars with another sentence - life without parole. We speak with The Wire’s Gbenga Akkinagbe, and hear how Ali Siddiq’s time in prison helped him become a comedian. Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created to engage with and bring information to one of America’s largest news deserts — its prisons an...

We see how glimpses of life behind bars are going viral on social media, talk to Piper Kerman about creating Orange is the New Black and meet a man on a mission to get books behind bars. We also learn about the underground economy of solitary confinement. Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created to engage with and bring information to one of America’s largest news deserts — its prisons a...

We learn how prosecutors in Oklahoma can turn one of the darkest days in a mother’s life into a prison term, discuss drug policy with Columbia University’s Dr. Carl Hart and hear how Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons went from being incarcerated to writing legislation.  Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created to engage with and bring information to one of America’s largest news desert...

We look at a surprising number of police shootings in rural Kentucky, speak with music executive Jason Flom about his work with those wrongfully convicted, and see how Dr. Stanley Andrisse went from prison to becoming an endocrinologist.   Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created to engage with and bring information to one of America’s largest news deserts — its prisons and jails. The se...

We explore prison tourism and the balance between glorification and education, and meet two detectives behind Silverback Chronicles Podcast trying to change the image of policing. Later, we hear how Tyra Patterson fought to have her case overturned and is now fighting for others.   Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created to engage with and bring information to one of America’s largest n...

We explore how prison labor, which some call “modern-day slavery,” gives rise to an underground economy. Later, comedian Luenell reflects on her time behind bars and in show business. Chef Fernando Ruiz, who beat Bobby Flay, also tells us about discovering his love for cooking while in prison. Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created to engage with and bring information to one of America...

We examine youth incarceration in Louisiana, speak with acclaimed lawyer and justice advocate Bryan Stevenson of Equal Justice Initiative about the need for a change in thinking about punishment, and take an animated journey with a mother visiting her son behind bars. Inside Story is a first-of-its-kind series created to engage with and bring information to one of America’s largest news deserts —...