Attica Lives: Abolish All Prisons Podcast

In this episode, we’ll discuss the events about the McAlester uprising from the 1970s and why it’s possible to frame people who are incarcerated as political threats for justice entrepreneurs.

References:

Examiner-Enterprise. (2021, November 17). Big Mac: Trip down history lane. https://eu.examiner-enterprise.com/story/news/2021/11/17/big-mac-trip-down-history-lane/8636984002/

New York Times. (1973, July 29). Violence reerupts at Oklahoma prison; governor meets. https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/29/archives/violence-reerupts-at-oklahoma-prison-governor-meets.html

Oklahoma Historical Society. (n.d.). McAlester. The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=MC002

Oklahoma Watch. (2013, July 25). Three days of mayhem: The McAlester prison riot. https://oklahomawatch.org/2013/07/25/three-days-of-mayhem-the-mcalester-prison-riot/

The Oklahoman. (1973, July 27). July 27, 1973: Prison riot leaves 4 inmates dead. https://eu.oklahoman.com/story/news/1999/04/18/july-27-1973-prison-riot-leaves-4-inmates-dead/62245843007/

The Oklahoman. (1983, January 23). Big Mac appreciated by McAlester residents. https://eu.oklahoman.com/story/news/1983/01/23/big-mac-appreciated-by-mcalester-residents/62859043007/

Wise, A. (n.d.). Oklahoma State Penitentiary history. Internet Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20070226192624/http://members.cox.net/awise120/prisonhist.htm

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). History of Oklahoma. In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Oklahoma

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Kate Barnard. In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Barnard

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Oklahoma State Penitentiary. In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_State_Penitentiary#cite_note-wise-4

[Video]. (n.d.). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej2RHuWaxjA

This episode deals with sexual intercourse and gender in prison. Why members of LGBTQ+ are significantly more endangered in prison (just as outside of society), we also talk about safer sex in prison, harm reduction methods, conjugal visits and more.

CN:

- sexual content

- violence

- toxic relationships

- sexual violence

- suicide

References:

American Immigration Council (o. J.): Transgender immigrant beaten to death in ICE custody. Verfügbar unter: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/transgender-immigrant-beaten-death-ice/ (Zugriff: 15.09.2026).

Buehler, E. D. und Kottke-Weaver, S. (2024): Sexual Victimization Reported by Adult Correctional Authorities, 2019–2020 – Statistical Tables. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Verfügbar unter: https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/sexual-victimization-reported-adult-correctional-authorities-2019-2020 (Zugriff: 15.09.2026). (Office of Justice Programs)

Lawless, L. (2013): TDNCLA: Who Can Conjugal(ly) Visit Me in Prison? Life of the Law, 24.07.2013. Verfügbar unter: https://www.lifeofthelaw.org/2013/07/tdncla-who-can-conjugally-visit-me-in-prison/ (Zugriff: 15.09.2026). (Life of the Law)

Martyniuk, H. (o. J.): Understanding Rape in Prison. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. Verfügbar unter: https://www.pcar.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdfs/7_understanding_rape_in_prison_low_res.pdf (Zugriff: 15.09.2026). (pcar.org)

NBC News (2020): Jail missteps contributed to trans woman’s death at Rikers Island, report finds. Verfügbar unter: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/jail-missteps-contributed-trans-woman-s-death-rikers-island-report-n1232014 (Zugriff: 15.09.2026). Der Beitrag stammt von Kate Sosin und erschien am 24.06.2020. (Yahoo!)

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) (o. J.): Understanding Rape in Prison. Verfügbar unter: https://www.pcar.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdfs/7_understanding_rape_in_prison_low_res.pdf (Zugriff: 15.09.2026).

Plott, B. (2025): One Person’s Transgender Journey Behind Prison Walls. Prison Journalism Project, 11.03.2025. Verfügbar unter: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2025/03/11/my-journey-as-a-transgender-person-in-prison/ (Zugriff: 15.09.2026). (Prison Journalism Project)

Prison Journalism Project (2024): Writers Inside Reflect on LGBTQ+ Pride. 27.06.2024. Verfügbar unter: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2024/06/27/what-it-is-like-celebrate-pride-month-prison/ (Zugriff: 15.09.2026). (Prison Journalism Project)

Ricciardelli, R. und Spencer, D. C. (2017): Violence, Sex Offenders, and Corrections. New York: Routledge. ISBN 9781317393832.

Sosin, K. (2020): Jail missteps contributed to trans woman’s death at Rikers Island, report finds. NBC News, 24.06.2020. Verfügbar unter: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/jail-missteps-contributed-trans-woman-s-death-rikers-island-report-n1232014 (Zugriff: 15.09.2026). (Yahoo!)

Them (2021): A Trans Woman Died in a Baltimore Jail Cell. Her Family Wants Answers. Verfügbar unter: https://www.them.us/story/kim-wirtz-trans-woman-died-baltimore-jail-cell (Zugriff: 15.09.2026). (Them)

In this episode, we’ll deal with the taboo topic of love in prison. People incarcerated are systematically dehumanised and their human rights are withdrawn, including the right to love or to engage in romantic relationships in and outside of prison.

Timestamps:

00:00 - 04:00: Introduction

04:00 - 09:30: The Love of Nova & Gemini

09:30 - 12:14: The Reality of Love in Prison

12:14 - 40:00: The Story of Vicky & Casey White (CN: Death)

40:00 - 48:26: Words from Joshua Altersberger

References:

Best DFW Tours. (2024, 20. Dezember). Bonnie and Clyde, a story of love and destruction and their legacy in Dallas.

Hicks, C. (2023, 10. März). Finding love in prison is possible, if not easy. Prison Journalism Project.

Lanzel, P. (2022, 3. Oktober). It’s so hard to maintain relationships in prison. Prison Journalism Project.

Netflix. (2024). Jailbreak: Love on the Run [Film]. Netflix.

Nu Breed feat. Jesse Howard. (o. D.). Outlaw Man [Video]. YouTube.

In this episode, we’ll discover the horrific racism behind the „Angola“ State prison aka Louisiana State Penitentiary.

CN: Racism, violence, oppression

Timestamps:

00:00 - 04:00: Introduction

04:00 - 10:00: The Background of Slavery

10:00 - 24:00: The Continuous Slavery and the Rise of Resistance

24:00 - 43:00: The Angola Three

43:00 - 54:17: The Cruelty of Angola Prison Rodeo

References:

African American Registry. (n.d.). The Angola Three: A story. https://aaregistry.org/story/the-angola-three-a-story/

Cabe, D. (n.d.). Voices behind bars: National Public Radio and Angola State Prison. Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Knight Case Studies Initiative. https://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/caseconsortium/casestudies/54/casestudy/www/layout/case_id_54.html

Capital B News. (2024, November 18). ‘The wildest show in the South’: Spectacle and suffering at America’s biggest prison. https://capitalbnews.org/angola-prison-rodeo-contradictions/

Garner, D. (2019, March 4). ‘Solitary’ is an uncommonly powerful memoir about four decades in confinement. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/books/review-solitary-albert-woodfox.html

Louisiana Prison Museum. (n.d.). History of the Louisiana State Penitentiary. https://www.angolamuseum.org/history-of-angola

Louisiana State Museum. (n.d.). Angola [Population/history information]. Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism. https://www.crt.state.la.us/Assets/OCD/archaeology/discoverarchaeology/virtual-books/PDFs/Angola_Pop.pdf

Plastische Demokratie. (n.d.). Black Panther Party. https://www.plastischedemokratie.de/models/black-panther-party/

Texans United. (2014). Remember Jack Favor: Cowboy stripes. Internet Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222033443/http://www.texansunited.com/blog/remember-jack-favor-cowboy-stripes/

The Explore Louisiana Editorial Team. (n.d.). Angola Prison Rodeo: The wildest rodeo down South. Explore Louisiana. https://www.explorelouisiana.com/articles/angola-prison-rodeo-wildest-rodeo-south

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Louisiana State Penitentiary. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 27, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_State_Penitentiary

Woodfox, A., & George, L. (2019). Solitary: Unbroken by four decades in solitary confinement: My story of transformation and hope. Grove Press.

YouTube. (n.d.). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b1Tt-IuROw

Today, we’ll talk about the Tucker Unit in Arkansas. Unfortunately, I was too lazy to write down time stamps. Please listen closely to content notes and take care of eventual triggers.

CN: death penalty, torture, violence

References:

Arkansas Department of Corrections (o. J.) Death Row Inmates. Verfügbar unter: https://doc.arkansas.gov/correction/inmates/death-row/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Crosley, C. (1986) Unfolding Misconceptions: The Arkansas State Penitentiary, 1836–1986. Arlington, TX: Liberal Arts Press.

Encyclopedia of Arkansas (o. J.a) Convict Lease System. Verfügbar unter: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/convict-lease-system-4153/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Encyclopedia of Arkansas (o. J.b) Helen Spence. Verfügbar unter: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/helen-spence-5376/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Encyclopedia of Arkansas (o. J.c) Lee Simms. Verfügbar unter: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/lee-simms-15758/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Encyclopedia of Arkansas (o. J.d) Old Sparky. Verfügbar unter: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/media/old-sparky-8061/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Encyclopedia of Arkansas (o. J.e) Tucker Telephone. Verfügbar unter: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/tucker-telephone-4923/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Encyclopedia of Arkansas (o. J.f) Tucker Unit. Verfügbar unter: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/tucker-unit-7608/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Encyclopedia of Arkansas (o. J.g) Uncle Tom’s Prison LP. Verfügbar unter: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/media/uncle-tom%C2%92s-prison-lp-9926/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

IMDb (o. J.) Brubaker (1980). Verfügbar unter: https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt0080474/ (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Lynn Queen, C. (o. J.) Old Sparky and the Legacy of the Electric Chair in the United States. Medium. Verfügbar unter: https://medium.com/@chelsealynnqueen94/old-sparky-and-the-legacy-of-the-electric-chair-in-the-united-states-f1f9bbb829cc (Zugriff: 30. Januar 2026).

Murton, T. und Hyams, J. (1969) Accomplices to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal. New York: Grove Press.

Newsweek (1968) ‘Arkansas: Down on the Farm’, Newsweek, 9. Februar, S. 39–40.

Time (1968) ‘Hell in Arkansas’, Time, 9. Februar, S. 74.

This episode is about the Cummins Unit in Arkansas. One of the most shocking researches I’ve ever conducted, focussing on the horrific crimes, partly uncovered by Murton. What systematic murder and Governor Rockefeller has to do with these events, you’ll find out in this episode.

CN: torture, death, abuse, systematic murder, sexism, hate crime, racism

Timestamps:

00:00 - 04:00: Introduction

04:00 - 10:50: Escapes from Cummins

10:50 - 32:00: Bodiesburg, how the warden and trusties systematically murdered inmates and other human rights violations at Cummins

32:00 - 35:00: Fences that kill

35:00 - 40:11: Cummins today

References:

Accomplices to the Crime (o. J.) Internet Archive. Verfügbar unter: Internet Archive – Accomplices to the Crime⁠ (Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026).

Arkansas Heritage – Cummins State Farm⁠ (o. J.) Cummins State Farm. Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

Arkansas Heritage – Tucker State Farm⁠ (o. J.) Tucker State Farm. Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

Arkansas Times – The Arkansas Prison Scandal⁠ (2018) ‘The Arkansas Prison Scandal’, 22. März. Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

Encyclopedia of Arkansas – Accomplices to the Crime (Book)⁠ (o. J.) Accomplices to the Crime (Book). Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette – Inmate Who Died at Cummins Unit Identified; Death Under Investigation⁠ (2026) ‘Inmate Who Died at Cummins Unit Identified; Death Under Investigation’, 8. Januar. Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

New York Times – Arkansas Prison Chamber of Horror⁠ (1968) ‘Arkansas Prison Is Called a Chamber of Horror’, 28. Januar. Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

New York Times – Arkansas Prisons: A Grisly Record⁠ (1968) ‘Arkansas Prisons: A Grisly Record’, 28. März. Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

ScholarWorks at the University of Arkansas – Historical Study PDF⁠ (o. J.) Historical study. Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

Assata: An Autobiography. (1987) Chicago: Lawrence Hill Books.

Accomplices to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal. (1969) New York: Grove Press.

TIME – Justice: Too Cruel for the Cruel?⁠ (1970) ‘Justice: Too Cruel for the Cruel?’. Zugriff: 5. Juli 2026.

This episode we will discover the first prison of the United States, which is not only to be understood as a model prison in terms of solitary confinement but also set the fundament of the Prison Industrial Complex.

Timestamp:

00:00 - 04:00: Introduction

04:00 - 10:00: The Pre History of the Walnut Street Prison

10:00 - 25:00: The Development of Walnut Street Prison

25:00 - 37:00: Forced Labor in Walnut Street Prison

37:00 - 42:59: Balloon Lore

References

Casella, J., Ridgeway, G. and Shalev, S. (2018) Continuity in the Face of Penal Innovation: Revisiting the History of American Solitary Confinement. Available at: https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/media/publications/Continuity_in_the_Face_of_Penal_Innovation_-_Revisiting_the_History_of_American_Solitary_Confinement_2018.pdf (Accessed: 13 June 2026).

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law (n.d.) Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. Available at: https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3569&context=jclc (Accessed: 13 June 2026).

Robertson, B. (n.d.) ‘9 January 1793’, This Day in Aviation. Available at: https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/9-january-1793/ (Accessed: 13 June 2026).

In this episode, we talk about faith in prison. What does faith mean for people incarcerated? What’s the legal base of religion in prison? What does that have to do with discrimination?

Timestamps:

00:00 - 02:30: Introduction

02:20 - 08:16: RLIUPA and the legal base of faith in prison

08:16 - 18:00: Discrimination of faith in prison (CN: death penalty, police brutality, violence)

18:00 - 35:00: Spreading faith in prison (CN: death penalty)

35:00 - 43:00: The story of prison fellowship

43:00 - 51:19: Michael Tisius, faith and his death (CN: death penalty)

References:

American Bar Association (2023) Missouri Executes Michael Tisius. Verfügbar unter: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/death_penalty_representation/publications/project_blog/missouri-executes-michael-tisius/ (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Amnesty International (2023) USA: Erneute Hinrichtung in Missouri. Verfügbar unter: https://www.amnesty.de/mitmachen/urgent-action/usa-erneute-hinrichtung-missouri-2023-06-09 (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Bowers, M.P. (o. J.) Melissa Potts Bowers. LinkedIn-Profil. Verfügbar unter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-potts-bowers-6a970940/ (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Core of the Heart (o. J.) Core of the Heart. Verfügbar unter: https://coreoftheheart.com/en-eur (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Crenshaw, K. (1991) ‘Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color’, Stanford Law Review, 43(6), S. 1241–1299. Verfügbar unter: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1229039 (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Nevada Current (2024) More Lovelock Inmates Allege Religious Discrimination. Verfügbar unter: https://nevadacurrent.com/2024/11/01/more-lovelock-inmates-allege-religious-discrimination/ (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

New York City Department of Correction (2024) Directive 3261: Religious Programs. Verfügbar unter: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doc/downloads/directives/Directive_3261_Religious_Programs.pdf (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Office of Justice Programs (o. J.) Investigating the Impact of Religiosity on Emotional and Behavioral Coping. Verfügbar unter: https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/investigating-impact-religiosity-emotional-and-behavioral-coping (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Prison Fellowship (o. J.) Prison Fellowship. Verfügbar unter: https://www.prisonfellowship.org (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Prison Journalism Project (2025) Why Do Some Prisons Restrict the Practices of Five Percenters? Verfügbar unter: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2025/06/03/why-do-some-prisons-restrict-the-practices-of-five-percenters/ (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Prison Journalism Project (2025) Religious Items in Prisons Cost More for Muslims. Verfügbar unter: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2025/06/10/religious-items-in-prisons-cost-more-for-muslims/ (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Springer Nature (2025) ‘Religious Identity, Discrimination and Prison Experiences’. International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy. Verfügbar unter: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40352-025-00340-w (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

This Is Reno (2024) More Lovelock Inmates Allege Religious Discrimination. Verfügbar unter: https://thisisreno.com/2024/11/more-lovelock-inmates-allege-religious-discrimination/ (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Turner, R.J., Oakes, B.A. und Ulmer, J.T. (2008) Religion and Adjustment to Incarceration. Verfügbar unter: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18981285/ (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

YouTube (o. J.) Video: Michael Tisius Execution Case. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVB3qW9PC0A (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

YouTube (o. J.) Video: Religious Discrimination in Prison Systems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KgMmqN79kg (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Zhang, J., Johnson, B.R., Levin, J., Cullen, F.T. und Vander Laan, M. (2012) ‘Religion, Prison Adjustment, and Recidivism Among Former Inmates in Texas’, Justice Quarterly, 29(1), S. 103–128. : https:/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22887692/ (Zugriff: 4. Juni 2026).

Rest in Peace, Rodney Hulin.

This episode deals with the Ellis Unit in Texas. We learn the history of that prison, law enforcement brutality and hear from stories from (former) people incarcerated there. We also learn some pop cultural references.

CN: Rape, Suicide, Murder, Death Penalty (which is murder), Racism,

Timestamps:

00:00 - 03:04: Introduction

03:04 - 06:57: The History and the Construction of Ellis Unit One

06:57 - 10:45: Death Penalty. Remember James Broadnax.

10:45 - 16:24: Ellis Unit One Steve Earle and Dead Man Walking

16:24 - 21:00: Eroy Brown, Exploitation and Racist Framing

21:00 - 27:00: The Suicide of Rodney Hulin

27:00 - 36:00: The Escape of Martin Gurule

36:00 - 40:00: Death Row

If you seek help:

https://www.nsvrc.org/find-help/ (USA)

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/#:~:text=the%20rape%20and%20sexual%20abuse,GUM)%20or%20sexual%20health%20clinic (UK)

https://envr.eu/find-my-victim-support/ (EU)

https://www.nasasv.org.au/support-directory (Australia)

Please, do not hesitate to seek help.

References:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15XRV5DTprFTQOC01NVaAwvxHqaYOH2M9g-L7Er5kjA4/edit?usp=sharing

This is the most important episode of this podcast. In this episode, we learn what the PIC exactly is and how it is connected to other terms like mass incarceration, the War on Drugs and The New Jim Crow. We learn why the US keeps people incarcerated to generate profit and who is involved in that.

Timestamps:

00:00 - 03:23: Introduction

03:23 - 09:10: The Prison Industrial Complex & The Normalisation of Punishment. Why Private Companies need Prisons to survive.

09:10 - 14:14: The Connections Between The Military Industrial Complex & The Prison Industrial Complex

14:14 - 28:28: Forced Labor (Slavery) in prison by private companies

28:28 - 37:16: Profit and Medical Experiments on People Who Are Incarcerated

37:16 - 45:00: Private Prison Corporations. The Brazoria Tape

45:00 - 49:21: The Global Prison Industrial Complex

References:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-Lp5a41QZdetsw6rnF7_CfHJswcDtBgiCdTJwCjaay8/edit?usp=drivesdk