Notes From The Pen

In addition to Bobby talking about forced labor behind bars...he also addresses the distress or uneasiness of mind caused by the fear of the institutional hammer coming down on his head at any moment. As Bobby says, "living the LOP life". The guys also answer more viewer questions. 

If you thought slavery was abolished with the 13th Amendment you'd be wrong! Slavery is alive and well in America, just ask any prisoner. 

Forced labor in prisons has its roots in the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, when Southern planters faced the need to pay the labor force that had long worked for free under brutal conditions to produce the economic capital of the South.

Though the 13th Amendment abolished “involuntary servitude,” it excused forcible labor as punishment for those convicted of crimes. As a result, Southern states codified punitive laws, known as the Black Codes, to arbitrarily criminalize the activity of their former slaves.

Loitering and congregating after dark, among other innocuous activities, suddenly became criminal. Arrest and conviction bound these alleged criminals to terms of incarceration, often sentenced to unpaid labor for wealthy plantation owners."

You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:  notesfromthepen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NotesFromThePen

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For those who’ve asked about helping with donations, please go to our website above for more info.

Bobby talks openly and emotionally about why he's in prison. Andrew Gold, a podcast  journalist from the UK, heard about Bobby and reached out to him for an interview. It's never easy talking about the night Monica died, and the pain felt discussing it brings up many emotions. This episode was recorded shortly after the interview. 

You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:  notesfromthepen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NotesFromThePen

You can also find us on the following podcast platforms:

Anchor

Apple Podcasts

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Google Podcasts

Radio Public

Spotify

For those who’ve asked about helping with donations, please go to our website above for more info.

Andrew Gold  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewGold_ok

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UzVHJJm69qB5DvxYoi0bp?si=cz2PPTkcR2y4o7JEBS7pLA

Bonus Pre-Show clip, followed by Episode #28; where Bobby talks about what it's like getting ready to attend a college creative writing class held in the prison Chapel. From his Ray Ban glasses, broken watch...to his magazine cologne samples...he takes us along for the journey as he preps for the big day. Additional listener questions included. 

You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:  notesfromthepen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NotesFromThePen

You can also find us on the following podcast platforms:

Anchor

Apple Podcasts (iTunes)

Breaker

Google Podcasts

Radio Public

Spotify

For those who’ve asked about helping with donations, please go to our website above for more info.

Mama C makes a guest appearance in this episode. The thought was to get perspective from a family member on what it's like for them to have someone they love in prison. The emotional toll is the hardest, and in the beginning Mama C kept the hurt to herself. She didn’t want Bobby to see her pain. Turns out that hiding the pain caused more hurt than talking about it as a family. She no longer hides the hurt, and no longer cries after visits. With all the pain and suffering Bobby’s had to deal with, she’s proud of how he’s turned a tragedy in to personal growth & sharing what happened so others don’t make the same mistake.

During the phone conversation the 'institution' pulls the plug on the phone call, and Mama C has some slight audio issues...but we manage to finish up anyway.

You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:  notesfromthepen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NotesFromThePen

You can also find us on the following podcast platforms:

Anchor

Apple Podcasts (iTunes)

Breaker

Google Podcasts

Radio Public

Spotify

For those who’ve asked about helping with donations, please go to our website above for more info. We also have an account set up on Venmo @NFTP-MamaC-2020 https://venmo.com

Listeners get to hear about another one of Bobby's Bunkies...in this episode Bobby tells us about his second Bunky - Scott - and what lead up to his 'flop'. We also get to hear about Saint Producer going nuclear on a dirty cop - which causes Bobby to be shipped out to a new prison. But don't worry...because that's where Bobby meets GR Joe - his favorite Bunky yet. 

Bonus Post Show recording included...make sure to listen!

Barb, a transgender inmate in Michigan's prison, joins the podcast and shares her experience being locked up in what's referred to as the Doll House. Listeners will get to explore the battles of morality in prison. We also learn that Barb doesn't have many people in her life and is often left feeling alone and isolated. This is another episode that gives a voice to those our nation so casually throw behind bars and leave to fend for themselves, and why we started this podcast and created our website (link also below). We thank you for following us and becoming another pebble in the shoes of the prison industrial complex. Together we can accomplish real change. If you would like to contact to Barb please private message me on my Twitter account (link below).

You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website:  notesfromthepen.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NotesFromThePen

You can also find us on the following podcast platforms:

Anchor

Apple Podcasts (iTunes)

Breaker

Google Podcasts

Radio Public

Spotify

For those who’ve asked about helping with donations, please go to our website above for more info. We also have an account set up on Venmo @NFTP-MamaC-2020 https://venmo.com