What textures do you miss in prison? How is menopause handled behind bars? What makes you feel dignified? These are just some of the questions we collected from listeners on our live tour this summer through the South and Midwest. But instead of taking these questions back to California, we got them answered on the road. 

Thank you to everyone we talked to in Oklahoma: Angelica, Dusti, Sharee, Ashe, Victoria, Crystal, Jax, Christina, Brittany, Jasmine, Tabitha, Michelle W., and Michelle K. at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center; and Angel, Rocky, Angie, Felicia, Courtney, Shenice, Rebekah, Jamie, Raye, Phina, and Geneva at the Dr. Eddie Warrior Correctional Center. A big thank you to Ellen, Jordan, Lisa, and Melissa from Poetic Justice, and Kay Thompson at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, for making our visit possible. 

Thank you also to the women we spoke to at the Ohio Reformatory for Women: Erica, Beth, Cheryl, Alyssa, Iyshia, Michelle, and Michelle. And another big thank you to Tara Nickle and Warden Maldonado at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, and visual artist Kirsta Benedetti for bringing us to ORW. 

This episode was scored with music by Antwan Williams, David Jassy, Derrell Sadiq Davis, and Earlonne Woods. 

Big thanks to Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center; Acting Warden Parker, Associate Warden Lewis, and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women; and Warden De La Cruz and Lt. Williams at the Central California Women’s Facility for their ongoing support of the show. 

Don’t miss our six-part series, The Loop, about kids and incarceration in NYC. In your Ear Hustle feeds starting October 8. 

Support our team and get even more Ear Hustle by subscribing to Ear Hustle Plus today. Sign up at earhustlesq.com/plus or directly in Apple Podcasts. 

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.