Prison Pen Pal Podcast

He Confessed to Murder — Then Found Love Through a Prison Pen Pal Website

PenPals.Buzz — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 22:54:31 +0000

In this eye-opening episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve shares the story of William Leverett, who confessed to killing Melissa Millan, a 54‑year‑old senior vice president at MassMutual, while she was jogging at night in Simsbury, Connecticut. William had gotten away with the crime for four years, but ultimately confessed to the crime. Once he got to prison, he wondered whether anyone would ever be willing to write to him. We first heard from Mr. Leverett on episode 16 of our podcast (back in November of 2024). This follow-up episode, nearly two years later, begins with actual audio from William’s police interrogation, including his murder confession. Then, Big Steve chats with Will Leverett by phone to discuss how joining PenPals.Buzz led him to letters, phone calls, an in-person visit, and a meaningful romantic relationship with a young woman named Emily. He also shares valuable advice for anyone considering a relationship with an incarcerated pen pal, including why taking the time to get to know someone before making a serious commitment is so important. This episode is a reminder that even when someone's past is difficult to face, genuine human connections can (and do) still happen in unexpected ways.

Which States Are Best For Prison Pen Pals?

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:02:43 +0000

Thinking about writing to a prison pen pal? Before you choose an inmate, you might want to think about what state they’re incarcerated in. In this quick-hit episode, Big Steve breaks down which states and messaging services can make communicating with an inmate easy—and which ones can turn it into a frustrating nightmare. He covers Corrlinks, JPay, Securus, Getting Out, Smart Inmate, and Corrlinks Text Chat, along with the best and worst states for traditional snail mail. He also explains why federal inmates can be an especially good choice for free messaging and highlights some of his favorite states for staying in touch. Then, Big Steve talks about the upcoming Not Another Year rally in Lincoln, Nebraska, organized to stand against prolonged solitary confinement in Nebraska prisons. He shares a powerful message from Jae Ely of More Than an Inmate’s Girlfriend and explains why he hopes to attend the October 17 event and make his first public appearance with the Prison Pen Pal Podcast and https://penpals.buzz

"This Is My Birthday Gift" -- Robert's Incredible Prison Pen Pal Update

PenPals.Buzz — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 00:24:39 +0000

Robert from Illinois is back on the Prison Pen Pal Podcast—and this time, he has some incredible news to share. After first appearing on the podcast earlier in 2026, Robert has continued building friendships with people he met through PenPals.Buzz. One of those pen pals is Lenora Mcelwee, a 69-year-old woman who spent 34 years in prison. After years of being denied parole, Lenora finally went before the parole board in August and was granted parole, with her release expected later this year. Robert explains how their friendship changed both of their lives, and how seeing someone walk out after decades behind bars gave him a renewed sense of hope and purpose.

Robert and Big Steve also talk about the deeper value of prison pen pals and why these relationships aren't always about romance. They discuss friendship, mentorship, faith, loneliness, hope, learning from people with completely different life experiences, and the importance of taking things slowly rather than becoming caught up in fantasies or "love bombing."

Later in the episode, Robert discusses another friendship with an incarcerated man serving a 55-year sentence, who was specifically looking for a mentor (not a romantic partner) and explains why he believes the people behind the walls can give just as much back to those on the outside. It's an energetic, emotional, and often funny conversation about connection, second chances, and the unexpected ways that pen pals can change lives.

If you have comments about this episode, or you'd like to be a guest on a future episode, email podcast@penpals.buzz or call 888-273-6725. To find an incarcerated pen pal of your own, visit https://penpals.buzz

How Many Prison Pen Pals is Too Many?

PenPals.Buzz — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 01:56:23 +0000

How many prison pen pals is too many? Is it okay to write to more than one person? What about 10? Is 100 too many?

In this first Quick Hit episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve shares his perspective based on more than a decade of experience as a pen pal and years of running PenPals.Buzz, one of the largest prison pen pal websites.

Steve explores what happens when a friendship with a pen pal turns romantic, what it might tell you when a pen pal insists that you write only to them, and why limiting yourself to just one pen pal could mean you're missing out on some great connections.

Quick Hit is our new series of short, under-10-minute episodes packed with valuable prison pen pal information, observations, and advice—delivered in a fun, entertaining, and condensed format.

Listen while you're getting ready for work, brushing your teeth, driving home, or anytime you have a few minutes to spare!

Welcome to Quick Hit.

From St. Peter, Minnesota: Checking in with Ben Alverson

PenPals.Buzz — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:37:18 +0000

Ben Alverson returns to the Prison Pen Pal Podcast for his third appearance, and a lot has changed since we last checked in with him at the Civil Commitment Center in St. Peter, Minnesota. Ben discusses the changes he’s seen in the program, the possibility of moving more quickly toward life outside the facility, and his upcoming court proceedings. He also explains how some people are now making it through the system faster than before—including one friend who went from the facility to having his own home and eventually receiving a full discharge. With his own future still uncertain, Ben is hoping his progress and low-risk assessments will help him take the next step toward freedom.

But there’s more to Ben than his legal situation. He talks about turning his artwork into a business, the roughly 100 pieces of art he hopes to make available, and his fascination with creating art that people can actually experience—including a painting that incorporates real coffee. And in one of the more unexpected conversations you’ll hear on the podcast, Ben and Big Steve discuss making homemade ice cream inside the facility, experimenting with flavors like cinnamon, coffee and chocolate. Add in a little talk about prison food, pen pals, international connections and a challenge for listeners to leave Ben a very unusual 15-second phone message, and this is a revealing—and occasionally hilarious—look at life behind the walls and the person trying to build a life beyond them.

Learn more about Ben and view his artwork at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/benjamin-alverson/

Learn more about the horrors of the St. Peter Civil Commitment Facility: Minnesota Sex Offender Program: The Indefinite Detention of the Reviled | Criminal Legal News

To be a guest on a future episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, or to share your comments, email us: podcast@silver-wallaby-557675.hostingersite.com

What If Your Worst Mistake at 16 Meant Life in Prison? The Nicco Plowden Interview

PenPals.Buzz — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:14:42 +0000

On this episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve is joined by Nicco Plowden from the Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus, New York. Nicco, incarcerated for well over three decades, shares his journey from growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s, getting caught up in street life, and eventually being sentenced to 55 years to life for crimes committed as a teenager. He talks about the realities of life on the run, the differences between federal and state prisons, and how he stays out of trouble. Nicco hasn’t received a disciplinary write-up in over 25 years, and he credits that in part to education, programming, and cooking — turning even the most limited resources into moments of comfort and creativity, while never losing hope for a better future.

The conversation also veers into the impact of long (or life) sentences on juvenile offenders, the fight for reform through New York’s proposed Second Look Act, and the challenges of finding connection and hope inside. Nicco talks candidly about the importance of friendship, the loneliness of incarceration, and his wish for genuine pen pals — people who see him for who he is now, not just for the mistakes of his youth.

To learn more about Nicco Plowden, visit his PenPals.Buzz Profile Page

Let us know your thoughts at podcast@silver-wallaby-557675.hostingersite.com or hear other episodes at https://penpalpodcast.com.

Stories From a Mentally Ill Inmate: Where Fantasy and Certainty Collide

PenPals.Buzz — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 15:49:10 +0000

In this episode, we talk to a prisoner who lives with severe mental illness. He shares stories about his life — tales of great wealth, global fame, and wild adventures — that reveal the depth of his personal convictions, even as they depart from reality. Our goal isn’t to challenge his beliefs or judge his narrative, but to listen, and to reflect on the lived experience of mental illness behind bars. This episode offers a window into one man’s world, where fact and imagination are deeply intertwined.

Danny Terron-Roney, an inmate at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, weaves together a narrative that is both extraordinary and deeply personal. As Danny recounts his story, listeners hear about a childhood marked by abuse, survival on the streets, and early encounters with both real and imagined figures of power. He shares vivid, earnest accounts of joining a gang at age five, running with the Crips, and receiving a presidential pardon from Bill Clinton. Danny also describes being a high-ranking military officer, fathering thousands of children with celebrities, and even owning the very store he was accused of robbing.

Throughout the conversation, it becomes clear that Danny genuinely believes these stories. The episode does not challenge or question his claims; instead, it offers a space for Danny to be heard, reflecting the complexity of mental illness and the harrowing experience of someone navigating reality through the lens of delusion. Big Steve and co-host Daisy approach the interview with empathy, offering listeners a rare view into a mind shaped by trauma and mental health struggles. This episode invites listeners to consider what it means to bear witness to another person’s reality, especially within the walls of the prison system.

While the stories themselves are often fantastical, the pain underlying them is real. Danny’s openness, and the respectful way his story is received, serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and the need to listen, even when the truths we hear do not match our own. This conversation challenges perceptions, prompts reflection, and underscores the humanity of those living with mental illness behind bars.

He Wrote to a Woman Serving 40 Years in Prison…Then Married Her

PenPals.Buzz — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:15:24 +0000

Erik Beller had a Master’s degree in Education, a professional career, and a seemingly good life. But just as things were really starting to fall into place, his brother died of an overdose. Then, on Erik’s birthday, his best friend, John, also passed away. These tragic events set Erik on a downward spiral of addiction, homelessness, and ultimately jail.

While incarcerated, Erik was beaten, almost to death, by a guard (who was later convicted and served prison time for the assault). Erik spent months in the hospital, on a ventilator, and developed myriad physical ailments and health problems as a result of the attack. When he was finally released from jail, he was determined to help someone who might be in a similar situation, so he began browsing inmate pen pal profiles on WriteAPrisoner.com. It was there that he learned about a woman, Taira Litsey, who was sentenced to 40 years.

Many letters and phone calls later, Erik and Taira are now married. Together, they’ve turned their experiences into advocacy. Erik, now sober for over five years, founded Still Standing, an organization focused on second chances, prison and sentencing reform, and successful reentry. It wasn’t created from theory or based on some A.I. algorithm; Still Standing was created thanks to Erik and Taira’s real-life experiences with incarceration and the criminal “justice” system.

In this sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and often heartwarming episode, Erik shares his genuine love and appreciation for his wife, Taira. He believes she may have even saved his life.

This isn’t just a prison love story. It’s the story of two people whose lives were shaped by trauma, addiction, violence, loss, and incarceration, but who refused to let those experiences define the rest of their lives. It’s about resilience, faith, purpose, and redemption. By the end of the episode, it’s hard not to root Erik and Taira

Learn more about Still Standing

Want to be a guest on a future episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast? Call 888.273.6725 or email podcast@silver-wallaby-557675.hostingersite.com

Pen, Paint, and a Lifelong Friendship: Anya Blakeley and Mike Tran

PenPals.Buzz — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:58:01 +0000

When Baltimore artist Anya Blakeley walked away from a high-stress job in the criminal legal system, she knew it was time for a change. Anya began searching for meaning and healing in a world that suddenly felt broken. Her journey led her to the Justice Arts Coalition, a group that didn’t just talk about change, but created it by matching incarcerated artists with creative allies on the outside.

Enter Cuong Tran, better known as Mike, a self-taught artist behind bars in California, whose raw talent and relentless hope radiated from every letter he wrote. What began as a cautious exchange about colors, brushwork, and technique quickly morphed into something deeper — two artists, both ready for a change, building trust one envelope at a time. There were no illusions here: no romance, no savior complex, just two equals daring to believe in each other’s dreams. Their friendship, forged in the slow, thoughtful rhythm of handwritten letters, then progressing to phone calls, soon brought Mike’s art out from behind prison walls and into the light of the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore.

When Mike Tran’s sentence was commuted by California Governor Gavin Newsom, the bureaucratic maze threatened to crush his hopes. It was Anya, now his fiercest advocate, who fought to make sure his story of redemption didn’t end on a technicality or paperwork glitch.

The two look forward to finally meeting in person, hopefully at the museum where Mike’s art hangs. Anya’s experiences have inspired her to volunteer weekly at a men’s facility, using art as a tool for self-discovery and healing.

This episode isn’t just a story about letters and paintings; it’s about the power of genuine human connection to change lives, break down stigma, and offer hope where it’s least expected. It’s a testament to the unpredictable, electric connections that can spark when you open your heart to a stranger. It’s proof positive that the radical power of art can, and does, change lives.

Additional Resources:

Anya Blakeley’s Art: Maryland State Arts Council
Mike Tran’s Art: ArtworkArchive.com
Justice Arts Coalition: View Artwork from Prisoners
AVAM Fantastic Realities Exhibition: Details

From Survival to Second Chances: Anjel Ocegueda’s Journey Toward a Better Future

PenPals.Buzz — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:46:14 +0000

Growing up near Chicago, Illinois, Anjel Ocegueda learned by age 13 that the environment around you can shape the course of your life. “The streets take a toll on you. Whether it’s your environment, the people around you, or something that happens to your friends or family, you feel like you have to choose a side.”

As a sixth and seventh grader, Anjel excelled in school. He earned straight A’s, made the honor roll, participated in sports, and envisioned a future built around higher education. His goal was to earn a college scholarship and, as he puts it, “stay away from the B.S.”

Everything changed when he entered high school.

Gang activity became impossible to ignore. As friends and family faced intimidation and threats, Anjel found it increasingly difficult to separate himself from the violence surrounding him. Despite his efforts to stay focused on school and avoid trouble, he struggled with the feeling that standing by wasn’t an option. “At some point, you’re forced to take a side. You end up feeling like your choice is jail or the cemetery,” he said.

The birth of his daughter became a turning point. Determined to create a better future, Anjel renewed his commitment to education. While incarcerated, he earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and once hoped to become a police officer assigned to Chicago’s gang unit, using his personal experiences to help steer others away from the path he had traveled. He also obtained his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a credential he hopes to put to work after his release.

Today, Anjel is serving a sentence for DUI with bodily injury and is expected to be released in less than two months. Looking ahead, his focus is on building a stable, meaningful life. He hopes to connect with someone on both a spiritual and intellectual level, develop a genuine friendship, and, if the relationship grows naturally, eventually build a family together.

In early 2026, Anjel Ocegueda discovered PenPals.Buzz and the Prison Pen Pal Podcast through his cellmate, who had heard the website advertised on Sunday Night Slow Jams, the internationally syndicated radio show. After signing up, he expressed appreciation for how the radio show and the pen pal community remind incarcerated individuals that they haven’t been forgotten.

To learn more about Anjel or to begin corresponding with him, visit https://penpals.buzz/inmate/anjel-ocegueda/ or write to:

Anjel Ocegueda #Y69298
Vienna Correctional Center
6695 IL-146
Vienna, IL 62995

Have questions or comments? Want to be a guest on a future episode? Contact us at podcast@silver-wallaby-557675.hostingersite.com or visit PenPalPodcast.com

Miguel Cordero: Prison Pen Pal, Singer, and Artist

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Before becoming a resident of one of Florida’s most demanding correctional facilities, prison pen pal Miguel Cordero was immersed in the world of video games, logging countless hours on various consoles. However, following his arrest and the onset of a daunting 20-year sentence, he found himself grappling with intense emotions and a fiery temper. His notorious anger earned him the moniker “Psycho” among his fellow inmates — a title that ultimately helped fuel his transformation.

During a grueling stretch of nearly a year in solitary confinement, Miguel discovered a powerful outlet: music. What began as a coping mechanism blossomed into a remarkable passion, propelling him to create an astounding repertoire of over 1,000 songs across various genres. Channeling his energy into artistry, he managed to transcend his past and navigate through the shadows of his anger, evolving into a more productive individual throughout his incarceration, with newfound optimism and dreams of success post-release.

Join us for an intimate interview with Miguel Cordero, where he will share his remarkable journey, discuss the kind of partner he hopes to connect with on PenPals.Buzz (spoiler alert: a patient one who can keep him grounded) and even showcase his vocal talents in a live phone performance straight from his cell.

Hear more episodes at https://penpalpodcast.com

Catfished Behind Bars – Could Cops Be Using the GettingOut App Pretending to be Underage?

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:15:53 +0000

Jason Evick is currently serving time at the Toledo Correctional Institution in Ohio for a violent crime. In Ohio and many other states, inmates have access to an app called GettingOut, which allows them to receive emails directly on their prison tablets. While this technology can significantly enhance communication with pen pals outside, it also carries potential risks.

When we think about prison inmates and catfishing, the typical assumption is that the inmate is the one deceiving others—fabricating details about their age, crime, appearance, release date, or even their name. However, in an eye-opening episode of our podcast, Jason Evick reveals a startling twist: it’s often free-world pen pals who are the ones lying to inmates. He recounts a chilling encounter where someone possibly from a child exploitation task force reached out to him, posing as a 16-year-old boy passionate about mixed martial arts. The boy reassured Evick, saying, “Don’t worry, my parents know I’m talking to you and they’re okay with it.” This is just one of many unsettling examples of catfishing that Evick experienced in prison.

This episode serves as a crucial warning for anyone with a loved one behind bars using the GTL GettingOut App or similar messaging services. The truth is, pen pals in the free world may not always be who they claim to be. If something feels off, trust your instincts. Stay informed and protect those you care about.

To learn more about Jason, including his current contact info, visit https://penpals.buzz/inmate/jason-evick/

Want to share your story on a future episode? Email podcast@silver-wallaby-557675.hostingersite.com or leave us a voice message at https://penpalpodcast.com

Serial Killer Pen Pal: DeWayne Lee Harris

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:21:27 +0000

In the 1990s, DeWayne Lee Harris was responsible for the tragic deaths of multiple women, earning infamy in the Seattle, Washington area under chilling monikers such as Chilly Willy, The Seattle Jungle Killer, and The Seattle Shoelace Slasher. His heinous acts included tying up victims like Denise Marie Harris and Antoinette Jones with their own shoelaces, ultimately strangling them with a belt. His third known victim, Olivia Smith, met a similarly grim fate, being stabbed to death. Disturbingly, Harris has hinted at the possibility of an additional 32 murders.

Fast forward nearly 30 years of incarceration, and this notorious serial killer is now seeking connection through PenPals.Buzz, hoping to find a pen pal who will engage with him through handwritten letters. In this exclusive interview on the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Dewayne Lee Harris claims to have turned his life around, sharing insights into his troubled past marked by abuse and drug addiction, which he argues played a significant role in his violent behavior. He talks about the positive changes he has made, the books he is writing, and his desire to help others improve their lives. One day, he hopes to be recognized as a human being, as a father, and as an author who shared his story to help others avoid a similar fate. Only time will tell.

Learn more at PenPals.Buzz or write to Dewayne Lee Harris #908867 at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center in Washington.

Jason Kurtz’s Fitness and Wisdom

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Jason Kurtz is a PenPals.Buzz member who lives and loves fitness. He remembers his first workout at the age of 11; since then, he never looked back. Over the past 30+ years, Jason has managed over 15 gyms, has worked for companies that sell fitness equipment, and even got arrested and sent to prison due to his involvement with a supplement he encountered during his fitness journey. In this episode, Jason Kurtz explains the important connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind, and shares suggestions for how to maximize one’s fitness and health both in and out of prison. He talks about why prison workout equipment has improved so much in the past several years, and why he thinks Wisconsin inmates are more focused on health and fitness than they’ve ever been before. Some of Jason’s tips include: start slow, be consistent, do everything in moderation, and treat your body the way you’d treat a new Lamborghini. He also shares details about his Miracle Workout, a system that took him over 20 years to develop and perfect. This workout is available for free on his YouTube channel and is recommended for incarcerated and free-world men and women. Learn more about Jason at https://jasonkurtz.bio.link

Do you know an incarcerated man or woman who might like a pen pal? Sign up at https://penpals.buzz/submit-profile. To be a guest on our show, contact the Prison Pen Pal Podcast at podcast@silver-wallaby-557675.hostingersite.com or by phone at 888.273.6725. Listen to all episodes at https://penpalpodcast.com

Jacobi Thornsberry: Conversation with an Oregon Inmate

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:15:53 +0000

Jacobi Thornsberry’s journey began in the vibrant streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. Seeking an escape from the bustling chaos of the city, he made the leap to Oregon. However, fate had other plans, and within three years, he found himself behind bars in an Oregon prison. Loneliness settled in, and the thought of finding a meaningful connection crossed his mind. He considered WriteAPrisoner.com as a way to meet that special someone. But then there was the enigmatic “Baby Gua,” a mysterious figure in the dayroom, who steered him towards PenPals.Buzz instead. In this captivating episode, Jacobi, a 31-year-old spiritual black “adult in custody,” opens up about his life in prison. He shares how he strives each day to nurture his physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, challenging himself to learn something new daily. He’ll also reveal the qualities he hopes to find in a partner through our pen pal platform. And as a devoted father, he talks about his relationship with his 11-year-old daughter, who has recently started texting boys — a situation he admits is tough for him to navigate from behind bars.

Learn more about Jacobi’s story at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/jacobi-thornsberry or write to: Jacobi Thornsberry #21598022 at the Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, Oregon. You can also connect with him on the GTL GettingOut App or at GettingOut.com.

Name Change in Prison: Savannah’s Story

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:33:19 +0000

Changing your name while incarcerated is impossible in some states, and quite easy in others. There are countless reasons why someone behind bars might feel the need to legally reinvent themselves. In this episode, we’ll explore the inspiring story of Savannah Turner, formerly Gena, an incarcerated member of PenPals.Buzz. Currently incarcerated for identity theft, Savannah has moved beyond a troubled past filled with poor choices and substance abuse. Today, she seeks to shed her old name and embrace a fresh start complete with a new attitude, new goals, and new values. This episode will guide you through the process of changing your name while incarcerated, including the time it typically takes and the various motivations behind such a decision. Are most inmates seeking to escape their pasts, hide their crimes, and protect themselves from online searches? Or do they have deeper, more legitimate reasons for wanting a name change? Once an inmate has paid their debt to society, should they be given the chance to leave their past behind? Unlike some European countries that offer ex-prisoners a new identity to aid in rehabilitation, the U.S. often seems to impose a lifelong stigma on those who have already served their time. Join us for a thought-provoking 15-minute exploration into the significance (or insignificance?) of a legal name and what it truly means for those looking to rebuild their lives.

More Than an Inmate’s Girlfriend: Interview with Prison Wife and Host, Jae Ely

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:05:33 +0000

“Welcome to More than an Inmate’s Girlfriend. I’m your host, Jae,” speaks a soothing voice each week from her podcast studio in Canada. Since 2024, Jae Ely has been releasing podcast episodes aimed at reducing the stigma associated with prisoners, prison wives, and even pen pals who choose to write to prison inmates. Jae, who is married to an inmate (yet not allowed to communicate with him!) talks about her life, her podcast, and the challenges she’s faced along the way. In this exclusive interview with Big Steve, she opens up about how marrying Nicholas Ely, incarcerated in Nebraska, has completely changed her life. Learn about how Jae is working to get Nebraska’s Felony Murder laws overturned, the free gift catalog she’s created for inmates, her recent three-part podcast series about prison pen pals, and so much more. She’ll even talk about why she no longer gets nervous when interviewing famous guests and reality stars from shows like Love After Lockup. This is an inspirational interview, filled with honesty and heart, which offers a behind-the-scenes look into Jae’s personal life, her goals, and the mental strength it takes to host a successful podcast in 2026. Learn more about her show at https://morethananinmatesgirlfriend.com

Psychology of Prison Relationships, with Trauma Specialist Jennifer Garcia

PenPals.Buzz — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:48:39 +0000

Romantic relationships between an inmate and their free-world pen pal often start out like a whirlwind romance. After just a few letters exchanged, prisoners often feel like they met the person of their dreams, their true love, their soulmate. But is any of it actually real, or are they merely living in a fantasy world of false hopes and future faking? In this episode, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of Gratitude and Growth Counseling, Jennifer Garcia, breaks it down. You’ll learn about idealization and fantasy, love bombing, Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders, loyalty tests, trauma bonds, and other factors that play into the start of these intense relationships. She will also teach you strategies to help better your chances of a sustainable pen pal relationship, and she will share proven red flags to watch for if you find yourself developing feelings for your pen pal.

Prison Relationships: Alone Again

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:52:24 +0000

Prison relationships can seem like a fairytale love story. Take Anthony Cloud, for instance. A few years ago, he met the love of his life, Melissa on PenPals.Buzz. They referred to each other as husband and wife. After all, Melissa told him she was pregnant with his twins. According to Anthony, she had the ultrasound pictures to prove it. Having grown up in foster care, he never had a family who loved him. When he met Melissa, all of his dreams came true. But shortly thereafter, Anthony realized that nothing was as it seemed. Listen as he details a prison pen pal relationship filled with fantasies, fabrications, and lies. How did things go so wrong, so fast? Learn more about Anthony at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/anthony-cloud

Xandan Gulley: Female to Male Transgender Inmate Pen Pal

PenPals.Buzz — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:30:01 +0000

Britney Gulley is his legal name, but this female to male transgender inmate is better known as Xandan. He’s a political prisoner, activist, and published writer. Xandan Gulley enjoys football, reading, astrology, Greek mythology, women’s basketball, dogs, and listening to NPR. One minuscule tranquility for Xandan is being able to watch the sunrise and sunset every day, out his small window in the 6X9 solitary cell (where he has been a victim of prolonged solitary confinement for over 14 years). Xandan Gulley has been published in the Texas Observer, The Advocate magazine, LGBTQ Nation, San Francisco Bayview newspaper, Prism, and Black Lipstick magazine, and recently won a 2025 Stillwater Award. Naturally down-to-earth with a great sense of humor and contagious smile, Xandan doesn’t allow his dire circumstances to break his soul or dictate his spirit. He loves making people smile and laugh while continuing to bring awareness to the concealed injustices within a flawed prison system. In this episode, you’ll hear his story of discrimination, loneliness, strength, and courage living as a Black trans man in a woman’s prison in Texas, locked alone in a cell with no human interaction other than phone calls to his mother, and an occasional correctional officer grunting as he passes by the cell door. Through the story he shares, Xandan proves how “a single candle has the power to defy darkness.”

Richard Strong: Never Alone, but Always Lonely

PenPals.Buzz — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:05:44 +0000

Richard Strong was convicted of First-Degree Murder for the 2011 shooting of Ygnacio Bermudez, Jr., on the streets of Lansing, Michigan. Rick, who was sentenced to Life without Parole, claims he was wrongfully convicted of the murder and has polygraph test results to prove it. He admitted, however, that his past history of selling drugs and hanging around the wrong people contributed to his downfall, and he knew he “needed to just change everything.” It was then that he made a conscious decision to stop thinking about himself and discover his God-given purpose: helping others. So for the past 14 years, incarcerated at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, Michigan, Rick Strong has worked as a GED Tutor, a mentor to new inmates, and has received an Associate of Arts and and a Bachelor’s Degree. In prison, Richard Strong says he is never alone, but always lonely. That’s why he hopes to meet a pen pal who values honesty, kindness, and real conversation, and who believes that everyone deserves to be seen as more than just their mistakes. Read more about him at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/richard-strong

Doing God’s Work

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:05:00 +0000

Robert, a PenPals.Buzz Super Fan, works as a caretaker in Illinois. After some personal experiences with friends and family members being arrested and incarcerated, he decided it was time for less judgment and more kindness. In addition to helping the free-world senior citizen residents as his place of employment, he felt a strong desire to help those behind the walls, too. That’s when, about a year ago, he happened across PenPals.Buzz and began writing to male and female prison inmates around the country. (He did his homework and learned, from our podcast, how to avoid being manipulated and taken advantage of.) Robert shares his personal experiences writing to prisoners and talking to some on the phone. He feels he’s doing God’s work by offering a supportive ear to those who need it most. “Sometimes, it just takes a listener. People just wanna feel heard,” he shares. Robert also offers helpful advice to others about what to do (and what not to do) when beginning a pen pal friendship with a prison inmate. Most important, he says, always remember to “come with confidence, because you are the boss.”

Marc Rosemond: How Music and Art Helped Transform the Life of a Convicted Murderer

PenPals.Buzz — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:58:47 +0000

In 1993, Marc Rosemond was convicted of 3 counts of murder and sentenced to Life in prison. Now, 33 years later, he calls the Prison Pen Pal Podcast from his cell at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Wallkill, New York. Desperate to find answers about why he committed such horrible crimes, Marc Rosemond (inmate #93A1985) shares how art, poetry, and music helped him work through his childhood trauma, find clarity, and transform his life into one of positivity and resiliency. In addition to helping him get through so many lonely days behind bars, music “actually helped others around me get through their day,” he said. You’ll even hear him playing and singing throughout the interview. In a way, the keyboard is his form of an “emotional support animal.” He even named her Snowflake.

Matt Reynolds: Animal Trainer, Professional Wrestler, and Prison Pen Pal

PenPals.Buzz — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 12:57:47 +0000

Matt Reynolds, Prison Inmate #2014486 at the Great Plains Correctional Center, is quite possibly the most interesting man in Oklahoma. This former Marine, paint salesman, and toy store manager most recently worked as a groundbreaking animal trainer and behaviorist with giraffes, rhinos, and even an albino monkey. Now serving a 20-year sentence, Matt joins us via prison telephone to talk about the types of pen pals he hopes to meet, to share some of his life stories, and to describe one of the more memorable surgeries he assisted on. Spoiler Alert: It may involve a giraffe vomiting into his mouth!

A Very Prison Thanksgiving: Inmates Share Holiday Traditions

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:45:00 +0000

Thanksgiving in prison is a plate full of mixed emotions. On one hand, there’s excitement with the special holiday meal (often including real turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie). It’s a time for cellmates and friends to get together and create something unique and delcious, like Jovan Stewart’s Famous Banana Pudding, Rachell House’s Enchilada Bowls, or Angelina Omara’s Vanilla Pancakes. But the Holiday also serves as a painful reminder of what these individuals don’t have — the chance to be surrounded (at least physically) by family and friends. The chance to be around kids, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and childhood friends. The chance to share a meal with the people that mean the most to them. If they’re lucky, they might get a phone call or a card or an email on their tablet as a reminder they haven’t been forgotten. In this episode, we speak with some of the hundreds of inmates who called in to share their Thanksgiving stories, traditions, favorite foods, and who or what they’re thankful for. It’s an honest, raw, touching, heartwarming, sad, and sometimes humorous depiction of what Thanksgiving really means to someone incarcerated.

Ryan Rice Shares His Story

PenPals.Buzz — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 13:24:46 +0000

When Ryan Rice was growing up in Illinois, his parents let him do anything he wanted. Spoiled might be the word that comes to mind. The “freedom” he was granted as a young child ultimately sculpted him into a man with no direction, quitting most of the things he set his mind to…until, that is, he was sentenced to 35 years in a Dixon, Illinois prison. That’s when things had to change. Tired of “going nowhere fast,” Rice, a prison pen pal and member of PenPals.Buzz, shares why he made an “executive decision” about his life, and what that decision was. In the interview, we also discuss his over 60 tattoos, his love of women with accents, his propensity for telling corny dad jokes, and what he’s seeking in a pen pal.

Prison Pen Pals: Still Human

PenPals.Buzz — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:36:52 +0000

Prison Pen Pals, defined as prison inmates who write letters to people on the outside, may be incarcerated for doing really bad things, but they’re STILL HUMAN. That’s the belief of Salena in Indiana, a 22-year-old student (and soon to be school teacher) who has written over 30 prisoners in the past two years. “You think they’re bad, but they’re actually really sweet,” Salena noted on this episode, adding that prison inmates (and her prison pen pals) are still human and still deserving of human interaction.

Hear her entire story, including who her very first prison pen pal was, what got her started writing to inmates in 2023, and how she deals with the pen pals who ask her for money. Then, we speak with penpals.buzz/ member Angelina Omara, a female prison inmate convicted of two murders and currently seeking a pen pal companion. Finally, we briefly check in with federal prison inmate Victoria Guerrero, as she describes how prison conditions have worsened since the government shutdown.

Locked Up on Halloween: Hear Real Stories from Inmates

PenPals.Buzz — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:22:37 +0000

As we celebrate Halloween today, we thought we’d invite inmates around the USA to join in on the fun, eat some candy, and share their traditions both in and out of prison. We wondered if they watch scary movies from the prison dayroom, if they make homemade goodies or buy homemade candy from other inmates, or even if they give candy away to trick-or-treating cellmates. So we asked male and female prison inmates to call PenPals.Buzz and share their stories on this extra spooky and fun bonus episode.

First, we talk to PenPals.Buzz member and friend, Jason Kurtz, about his myriad Halloween experiences and traditions, and what he does from inside the prison walls to celebrate and enjoy the spirit of the holiday. Jason also shares some true real-life scary stories from his book, Secret Tales of the Supernatural, available now on Amazon.

Then, Cheyenne Smith and Laura Wickham, both from a Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida, talk to Big Steve about their Halloween traditions, and what they can (and can’t) do, while inside.

Is Marvin Dearing Innocent?

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:40:40 +0000

Over 25 years ago, just a few days after the turn of the millennium and the Y2K madness, Marvin Dearing was arrested, interrogated, and ultimately convicted of murder. But did he do it? New DNA evidence suggests not, but the judge is unwilling to revisit the case. Mr. Dearing, a member of PenPals.Buzz, now in his early 50s, has spent over a quarter-century (and more than half of his life) locked up in Ohio. He hopes that someone, somewhere — maybe even Kim Kardashian — will take another look at his case, the evidence, and his conviction. Later, we hear from Tyrone Brewer, Jr., a member of PenPals.Buzz and author of Poetry of an Inmate: Thoughts of a Prisoner, available at Amazon. Mr. Brewer bills himself as a loyal, funny, ambitious, passionate, goal-driven type of guy, who is seeking a female pen pal and lady friend to help him mentally escape the prison walls. Tired of the negative energy, Tyrone hopes for some good vibes in his life.

David Bomber: Incarcerated Artist, Blogger, and Actor

PenPals.Buzz — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:40:32 +0000

Prison Pen Pal David Bomber has been incarcerated for 15 years at Nottoway Correctional Center in Burkeville, Virginia, but there’s so much more to his story. This blogger and artist once acted in the same movie with Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning — War of the Worlds! During our interview, he shares fond memories of his brush with stardom. David, an avid blogger on both InmateBlogger.com and PenPals.Buzz, talks about his motivation behind his most popular blog entry, Herman. Also in this episode, we touched briefly on his criminal convictions, and on how he could be convicted of both Aggravated Malicious Wounding and 2nd Degree Murder, for the same stab wound. Double Jeopardy, perhaps? He thinks so and we think so. View his artwork, read his poetry and blogs, and check out his prison pen pal profile at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/david-bomber.

Jason Kurtz – Incarcerated Author

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 17:24:34 +0000

Jason Kurtz, an incarcerated author at the Waupun Correctional Institution in Wisconsin, has written four highly praised books: Secrets to Wealth, Secrets to Wisdom, Secrets to Wealth and Wisdom, and Secret Tales of the Supernatural. All are available as paperbacks or e-books at Amazon. We interview Jason Kurtz, a member of PenPals.Buzz, as he shares fascinating details about what it took to actually write and publish a book from his prison cell. He also shares excerpts from his books and talks about his motivation for writing them.

Locked up for over ten years, Kurtz purchased and read hundreds of self-help, personal growth, and prosperity books from his prison bunkbed. He took notes on the most important parts of each book — topics such as gratitude, dating, concentration, healthy eating, hypnosis, body language, self-esteem, wealth-building, lie detecting, and so much more. Due to his prison’s limit of 25 publications allowed per Inmate, Kurtz took copious notes of the most important parts of each book so that he would still have the valuable information (even if the prison guards took the books away from him). A decade later, Jason Kurtz compiled all of this amazing information (without all of the fluff) into one all-encompassing book: Secrets to Wealth and Wisdom. He has done all the reading, and all the work, to make your personal growth journey easier and much more affordable. Pretty amazing, if you ask us, even for someone on the streets to accomplish. But to do all this from the confines of the Waupun Correctional Institution is, in our minds, incredible.

His fourth book deviated from the Self-Help genre. Secret Tales of the Supernatural is a non-fiction account of terrifying events that the author experienced firsthand. All stories are 100% real and 100% frightening. In this episode, he’ll share some of these supernatural experiences with Big Steve.

We think you’ll enjoy Jason’s personality, charisma, and the tremendous effort he put forth in writing and publishing these books. When he speaks, you can tell he has a passion for helping others learn some of these beneficial concepts that helped him get through a decade behind bars. He also discusses his plans for his future, once released from prison, including becoming a stand-up comedian! We regret not asking him to tell us his favorite joke; perhaps we will in a follow-up episode. Learn more about him at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/jason-kurtz

Easter Nightmare: An Interview with Colby Brookman

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:47:58 +0000

It was Easter, 2020. PenPals.Buzz member Colby Brookman was driving home from dinner at his mother-in-law’s house, where he had been drinking. His wife, J’lynne Stothers, was a passenger in the front seat. In the back were Colby and J’lynne’s two infant daughters, Ariana and Ava, along with his 32-year-old brother-in-law, Matthew, who was autistic.

Unaware he had made a wrong turn, Colby was trying to find a local radio station on the dial as he drove his 2004 GMC Sierra, too fast, down Grand Avenue in Oroville. He thought he was on a highway heading back toward Sacramento. It happened so fast. He heard his wife yelling his name, “Colby!!” When he glanced up from the radio, he knew he was about to crash. Afraid of rolling his truck, he continued straight. Seconds later, he, his car, and his entire family were submerged 32 feet underwater in a canal near Lake Oroville. His brother-in-law died at the scene. His two daughters died at the hospital the next day. J’lynne survived. Colby was arrested at the scene, after blowing a 0.12 blood alcohol level, just slightly over the legal limit in California.

Today, Colby Brookman is five years into his 37 years to Life sentence at the Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, a prison exclusively for inmates with “sensitive needs.” He’s housed with gang dropouts, police informants, sex offenders, and former law enforcement officers. When a man is convicted of killing two young children, he wouldn’t fare too well in a general population prison, especially one in California. The life sentence sounds harsh, but the ultimate punishment, says Colby, is looking in the mirror each morning and knowing he, himself, was responsible for the death of his children. He was supposed to be their protector, and instead he drove them into a canal, to their death.

We interview Colby about life with his daughters before the accident, what happened leading up to the crash, his alcoholism, his intense guilt and shame, and his coping techniques which help him get through each day in prison (including trying to make new pen pals and friends to communicate with through his incarceration). What might his daughters would say to him today, if they could speak from the grave? Would they forgive him? Would he ever want to marry and have kids again? What advice would he give to an alcoholic who continues to drive drunk (as he did almost every day)? He’ll answer these, and so many other questions in this heartbreaking interview.

Learn more about Colby Brookman on his PenPals.Buzz profile page

Prison Wife, Therapist, and Author: Interview with Annie Perry of JailHouse Books

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 20:22:56 +0000

Annie Perry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who often helps her therapy clients learn to manage grief. She’s also a prison wife. Annie met her husband, Henry, nine years ago on a prison pen pal site called Friends Beyond the Wall. Today, their relationship is stronger than ever.

Together, they formed a business called JailHouse Books, and have subsequently published over 90 books, including at least 75 activity books created specifically for incarcerated men and women. In addition to sudoku, word searches, crosswords, and a myriad of other challenging and fun puzzles, these books offer inmates strength, comfort, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.

On this episode, Annie speaks in more depth about the books. She also shares valuable insights and suggestions, based on nearly a decade of experience, for other prison wives or partners navigating through their own prison relationships. “I’m not just a prison wife, I am Annie,” she proclaims, stressing the importance of staying actively engaged in something meaningful (and unrelated) to her prison wife status. She recommends continuing to work on yourself and continuing to do the things you like to do without letting prison consume your identity.

Annie and Henry have been together for nine years — significantly longer than the vast majority of prison relationships. Their love story is yet another wonderful example of how a prison pen pal website can (and often will) lead to a successful and productive marriage.

Find Annie Perry on TikTok @TeamPerry2016 or search JailHouse Books on Facebook for more information.

Former EMF Gang Member Talks Faith, Hope, Redemption

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:01:36 +0000

As a young boy, Christian LaFargo was introducted to the violent El Monte Flores EMF gang, affiliated with the Mexican Mafia, in Southern California. Forced to grow up with an incarcerated father, EMF was all he ever knew. “It’s just the culture there,” LaFargo said. Chris, better known in EMF as Bossy — pled guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder, and was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison.

Now more than halfway through his sentence, this man, age 39, has done the unthinkable. He has completely transformed his attitude, his life, his behavior, and his future. No longer part of the EMF gang, LaFargo details his journey, his mental fortitude, his new-found faith, and the steps he has taken while incarcerated to create hope and redemption for himself and for others who might be growing up fatherless or going down the wrong path in life.

LaFargo talks candidly with Big Steve about his belief that one’s life doesn’t have to be defined by his or her circumstances. His inspirational story is one of hope and redemption. Perhaps something he talks about can spark a change in someone, in or out of prison, who may be going through a rough time. If this man can turn his life around, it’s proof that anyone can.

Christian LaFargo’s full pen pal profile can be viewed at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/christian-lafargo/

Write a Pen Pal Profile that Gets Results

PenPals.Buzz — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:00:35 +0000

When a prison inmate spends their hard-earned money for a pen pal profile, it should be considered an investment — into their lives, their happiness, and their future. But what actually makes a profile good or bad? In this episode, Big Steve and Daisy share proven tips and techniques to help incarcerated men and women write a profile that will catch a reader’s attention and get results. The tips shared in this episode could make all the difference between a profile that gets zero responses (or hits, as they’re called) or a profile that gets dozens of letters, emails, and messages each week.

If you’re locked up and listening to this episode from the comfort of your cell (on your tablet), we hope you’ll take these suggestions to heart and start writing more successful profiles today. And for those in the free world who know someone in prison, we hope you’ll take notes, and share this valuable information with them. You could even play the podcast for them over the phone, and let them take it all in!

PenPals.Buzz office manager, Daisy, has typed and edited thousands of prison pen pal profiles from the PenPals.Buzz corporate headquarters in Anderson, CA. She knows what works, and more important, she knows what doesn’t work. You’ll hear several real examples, from actual profiles on our website, on what NOT to write and why. (Spoiler alert: It’s never a good idea to upload a picture of yourself flipping off the camera — at least not if you actually expect someone will want to be your pen pal!).