February 05, 2026

I Was a Latin King — This Is How I Survived Prison | Steven Johnson

1 hour 50 minutes

Steven Johnson grew up in Connecticut surrounded by instability and a rough childhood that pushed him toward the streets at a young age. As a teenager, he joined the Latin Kings and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a chapter president before landing in Connecticut state prison. While serving time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Steven made a decision that could have cost him his life — walking away from the gang while still incarcerated. In this episode, he shares what prison was really like during that era, how he survived the consequences of leaving the Kings behind bars, and how that choice completely changed the course of his life. After his release, Steven never looked back, building a new path rooted in discipline, accountability, and staying out of the system for good.

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#LatinKings #PrisonStories #GangLife #LifeAfterPrison #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeSystem #RedemptionStory #lockedin

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Than you to AVA & LUCY for sponsoring this episode:

AVA: Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app and when you join using my promo code LOCKEDIN, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice.

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LUCY: Go to HTTP://LUCY.CO/IANBICK and use promo code IANBICK to get 20% off your first order.

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Connect with Steven Johnson:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.john.247800

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@newslifeandbeyond?si=9xofBYhgZMzYNf4b

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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:

https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en

https://ianbick.com/

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Shop Locked In Merch:

http://www.ianbick.com/shop

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Timestamps:

00:00 Worst Jail Memory That Still Haunts Him

00:36 Meet Steven: Life, Background & Podcast Journey

03:20 Growing Up in New London, Connecticut

07:00 Family Life, Poverty & Early Struggles

13:41 Drugs, Trauma & Losing Stability at a Young Age

19:49 Teenage Hustles, Survival & Dropping Out of School

25:05 Entering Street Life & First Crimes

28:59 When Gang Culture Took Over Connecticut

32:32 Deeper Gang Involvement & Losing Control

36:04 Becoming a Latin King

40:03 Gang Leadership, Power & Expanding Influence

44:00 Trying to Change — Then Getting Arrested

54:05 County Jail Reality Check

01:03:33 Leaving the Gang While Locked Up

01:09:19 Transfer to Cheshire Prison & Daily Routine

01:14:02 Getting Sent to Virginia Prison

01:18:04 Prison Politics & Surviving Without Trouble

01:25:01 Life Lessons From Prison & Walking Away From the Gang

01:27:01 Life After Prison & Staying Clean

01:33:01 Rebuilding Family Relationships & Finding Purpose

01:40:11 Final Reflections & Advice to the Next Generation

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By Ian Bick

4.8

666666 ratings

February 05, 2026

I Was a Latin King — This Is How I Survived Prison | Steven Johnson

1 hour 50 minutes

_____________________________________________

#LatinKings #PrisonStories #GangLife #LifeAfterPrison #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeSystem #RedemptionStory #lockedin

_____________________________________________

Than you to AVA & LUCY for sponsoring this episode:

AVA: Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app and when you join using my promo code LOCKEDIN, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice.

_____________________________________________

LUCY: Go to HTTP://LUCY.CO/IANBICK and use promo code IANBICK to get 20% off your first order.

_____________________________________________

Connect with Steven Johnson:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.john.247800

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@newslifeandbeyond?si=9xofBYhgZMzYNf4b

_____________________________________________

Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:

https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en

https://ianbick.com/

_____________________________________________

Shop Locked In Merch: