Christina speaks with Paige, a woman living on the opposite coast from her incarcerated husband. She speaks candidly about her life as a prison wife, detailing the ups and downs that come with being married to someone who may never be released into the free world again. Paige is an advocate on issues like the death penalty and people serving life without parole - she and Christina discuss alternative ideas surrounding criminal justice reform and talk about what a world could look like if rehabilitation was the ultimate goal of a prison sentence.***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina continues her conversation with Danny, who is speaking from within Waupun Correctional Institution*. He speaks more on the programs in prison, what works and doesn't work, the reality of what it's like to be released and how easy it is to reoffend, especially when there is a lack of support from the community and society. Danny opens up about his goals upon release in the near future and shares his ideas on how a system that is so flawed can change.*Waupun Correctional Institution is still experiencing a form of lockdown and there is still little information on when it will come to an end. New York Times Article on the lockdown in Waupun***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Danny, who is currently incarcerated in Waupun Correctional Institution in Wisconsin*.  He's engaged to Katie, a British woman, who was featured in Episode 23 and shares his experience and perspective from the inside about his life, his love, and his plans for the future. Danny speaks on the flawed system designed to keep people down -  starting with being a child in foster care, trying his best to fit in, to making choices at a young age that altered his future. In a rare perspective from someone on the inside, Danny takes Christina on a journey through his life and what led him to his most recent sentence.*Waupun Correctional Institution is currently in a state of lockdown and has been for months. There hasn't been a lot of information released to the public as to why the lockdown has gone on for so long, but there have been dozens of reports from inmates regarding the inhumane conditions they've been dealing with since this happened.  I'll continue to update on this as I get more information.***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with investigative journalist, TV show producer, and filmmaker Catherine Legge. Her documentary From Prison With Love  (known outside of the US as Met While Incarcerated) tells the love stories of 3 women who are romantically involved with men in prison that have been charged with violent crimes.Catherine's film challenges the stereotypes surrounding these offenders and shows the perspective of women who put it all on the line to love them. You can stream From Prison With Love on TUBIFollow Catherine Legge on Instagram @metwhileincarceratedthefilmhttps://www.metwhileincarceratedthefilm.com/***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Dana, an artist and educator who works with incarcerated folks in Mankato, MN through the "Art Under Confinement Program", a collaborative between the 410 Project and artists who are currently incarcerated. This program advocates on educating creatives on the professional development side of being an artist as well as pushing their creative thinking and technical skills, to then hopefully be utilized once released.  You can check out the 410 Project:On Instagram @410project_communityartthe410project.com

Christina speaks with Katie, a soon-to-be prison wife who is separated from her fiancé, Danny,  by more than just prison walls. There's several states and an ocean between them, she lives in the UK and he is currently serving his time halfway across the world in a Wisconsin prison. Katie's journey has just begun as she prepares to uproot her life and leave the United Kingdom for the United States to be with Danny upon his release. ***This episode sponsored by Magic Mind, The World’s First Productivity Shot.https://www.magicmind.co/pennedGet 40% off by using offer code: PENNED20***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Christine, a recently married prison wife who met her husband, Carlos, through a prison pen pal website during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Despite Carlos' 25 year prison sentence and living on opposite coasts they couldn't imagine life without each other. Christine and Carlos started prisonpenpalconnect.com - they run the site together working on it from both inside and outside of prison, connecting inmates with pen pals all over the globe and showcasing an array of art created by incarcerated folks on the site's marketplace for purchase. Christine shares what it takes for her and Carlos to make their marriage and business  succeed while he's incarcerated and waiting for release.***This episode sponsored by Magic Mind, The World’s First Productivity Shot.https://www.magicmind.co/pennedGet 40% off by using offer code: PENNED20***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with BL Shirelle & Fury Young, Co-Executive Directors of Die Jim Crow Records, a non-profit record label dedicated to producing music from currently and formerly incarcerated artists. BL & Fury have made it their life's work to not only bridge the divide between incarcerated artists and artists in the free world, DJC Records works as a radical creative collective, agency for social change, and overall art power house.Listen to the very end of the episode for an additional song, Black Barbie by B. Alexis + a giveaway opportunity. Details below.****You can learn more about Die Jim Crow Records on their official website: Die Jim CrowFollow DJC on InstagramFollow DJC on TwitterSongs Featured: America The Merciful by Zealot ft. Uno & Black Barbie by B. Alexis***DJC/Penned Giveaway:- A lucky listener will be chosen to receive a copy of Die Jim Crow's EP Book signed by both BL Shirelle &  Fury Young.-Contest Instructions: Please go like & follow both Penned & DJC Records' Instagram pages and leave Penned a written review on Apple Podcasts (make it a good one!) - leave your Instagram handle in the review so we can find you easily! A winner will be announced on November 1, 2022***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with  Martin Lockett, who spent 17.5 years in prison for a DUI fatality that claimed two lives and severely injured another. In Penned's 20th episode Martin shares the story of the tragedy that shaped his entire life and how, post-release, he has devoted the rest of his life to honoring his victims’ legacies.While incarcerated, Martin earned a BS in sociology, MS in psychology, and served as a mentor and role model to other inmates. He acquired state certification as a substance abuse counselor, published two books (Prison to Purpose Pipeline and My Prison Life), and began telling his story at DUI victim impact panels all within the prison setting.****You can learn more about Martin through his website: martinlockett.comPrison To Purpose LifelineMy Prison LifeListen to Martin's Podcast: Rock The Bottom***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Britnee who entered into a relationship with an inmate without planning to pursue anything romantically from the start. As their connection progressed and real life issues started to surface Britnee was forced to reevaluate her life, her decisions, and ultimately the future of their relationship. ***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]