In this episode we’ll make a journey through the history of the Folsom State Prison in California! What Johnny Cash had to do with Folsom and how creative people are when it comes to escaping that hell, you’ll find out in this episode.

Timestamps:

00:00 - 03:22: Introduction

03:22 - 09:00: Folsom Prison Blues and Johnny Cash

09:00 - 27:30: Folsom Prison History

27:30 - 35:07: Glen Sherley, The Greystone Chapel & Johnny Cash

35:07 - 43:00: The Great Folsom Train Escape

43:00 - 46:00 The Folsom Double

46:00 - 52:00: Carl Reese and His Diving Plan

52:00 - 01:00:24: The Folsom Escape That Got The FBI involved

01:00:24 - 01:03:25: Folsom Today

References:

Quellen:

CDCR. (2023, 8 Juni). Explore the history of Folsom Prison. CDCR. Abgerufen von https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/insidecdcr/2023/06/08/explore-the-history-of-folsom-prison/

Folsom Cash Art Trail. 13 Fascinating Facts, Stories and Tales about Folsom Prison. Abgerufen von https://folsomcasharttrail.com/the-trail/blog/13-fascinating-facts-stories-and-tales-about-folsom-prison

Genius. Johnny Cash – Greystone Chapel Lyrics. Abgerufen von https://genius.com/Johnny-cash-greystone-chapel-lyrics

Flux Magazine. Glen Sherley: When Johnny Cash met the man inside … Abgerufen von https://www.fluxmagazine.com/glen-sherley-johnny-cash/

YouTube. (o. J.). [Video]. Abgerufen von https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keVKhjUHlLs&list=RDkeVKhjUHlLs&start_radio=1

YouTube. (o. J.). [Video]. Abgerufen von https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeZRYhLDLeU&list=RDAeZRYhLDLeU&start_radio=

KQED. Songwriter in a Cage: Meet Glen Sherley, Johnny Cash’s Friend in Folsom. Abgerufen von https://www.kqed.org/news/11642653/songwriter-in-a-cage-meet-glen-sherley-johnny-cashs-friend-in-folsom?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Prison Journalism Project. (2021, 18 Mai). Old Folsom State Prison was the end of the line. Abgerufen von https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2021/05/18/old-folsom-state-prison-was-the-end-of-the-line/

YouTube. (o. J.). [Video]. Abgerufen von https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6HMjC1ssZc&list=RDe6HMjC1ssZc&start_radio=1


Nguyen, M. (2023) How to Write a Letter to an Incarcerated Person. Innocence Project. Verfügbar unter: https://innocenceproject.org/news/how-to-write-a-letter-to-an-incarcerated-person/

Small, J. & Lewis, S. (2024) Whistleblowers Paint Picture of Violence at New Folsom Prison. KQED. Verfügbar unter: https://www.kqed.org/news/12018761/whistleblowers-paint-picture-of-violence-at-new-folsom-prison

Blake, A.L. (2021) Old Folsom State Prison Was the End of the Line. Prison Journalism Project. Verfügbar unter: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2021/05/18/old-folsom-state-prison-was-the-end-of-the-line/

Small, J. & Lewis, S. (2024) ‘How to Kill a Cop’: Death, Despair and Corruption in California’s Most Violent Prison. KQED. Verfügbar unter: https://www.kqed.org/news/12017652/how-to-kill-a-cop-death-despair-and-corruption-in-californias-most-violent-prison

The Sacramento Bee (2025) [Article on Local Crime and Folsom Prison]. Verfügbar unter: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article301505859.html

KCRA News (2025) California State Prison Sacramento Injuries. Verfügbar unter: https://www.kcra.com/article/california-state-prison-sacramento-injuries/64055726

FBI (o.J.) Glen Stewart Godwin. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Verfügbar unter: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/additional/glen-stewart-godwin

History.com (o.J.) A First-Time Offender Ends Up on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List. History Channel. Verfügbar unter: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-7/a-first-time-offender-ends-up-on-the-fbis-ten-most-wanted-list

Folsom Cash Art Trail (o.J.) 13 Fascinating Facts, Stories, and Tales about Folsom Prison. Verfügbar unter: https://folsomcasharttrail.com/the-trail/blog/13-fascinating-facts-stories-and-tales-about-folsom-prison

Find a Grave (o.J.) Carl Frederic Reese (Memorial 92905672). Verfügbar unter: https://de.findagrave.com/memorial/92905672/carl_frederic-reese