On this edition of Your Call, we're speaking with the creators of Uncuffed, a show made by people behind bars in California prisons. They say, if you can see the humanity in us, you can see the humanity in everyone.

The new season focuses on lockdowns, quarantines, death, friendship, and love. Two Uncuffed alumni, Thanh Tran and Tommy "Shakur" Ross, who were recently released, will talk about what it feels like to finally have their freedom.

In August, Uncuffed suddenly lost $660,000 that the state had intended to award the project over two years. They're hoping to raise $80,000 in urgent bridge funding to sustain the program through the end of 2022. Without ongoing support, they might be forced to lay off staff and cancel their programs indefinitely. With those funds, they can continue working in the prisons, release the remaining episodes of Uncuffed Season two, and pursue long-term sources of funding.

Guests:

Ninna Gaensler-Debs, director of the Uncuffed program at San Quentin State Prison

Thanh Tran, journalist and Ella Baker Center Inside/Outside Fellow, who was released from San Quentin State Prison in May

Tommy "Shakur" Ross, valedictorian of Patten College, peer health educator, organizer, and restorative justice practitioner, who was paroled in July after spending 36 years and seven months in prison