Ear Hustle — Revisiting “Gold Coats and OGs” (February 11, 2026)

Main Theme & Episode Purpose

This episode of Ear Hustle revisits one of their classic Season 1 episodes, "Gold Coats and OGs" (originally aired October 11, 2017), examining the reality of growing old inside San Quentin State Prison. Hosts Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor—joined by fellow Ear Hustle team member Bruce—reflect on what it means to age while incarcerated, the evolution of prison culture for elder prisoners, and the unique role of the "Gold Coats": incarcerated men who care for fellow elderly or sick prisoners. The episode explores hard truths, everyday humor, and the resilience and humanity that exists within prison walls.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Revisit "Gold Coats and OGs"?

• Earlonne highlights the episode as a “sleeper hit” and a personal favorite, offering a more humanitarian view of prison life than people typically expect.
• Featuring Lonnie Morris, a long-time friend of Earlonne’s, the episode provides an insider’s look at how elderly prisoners survive—and help each other survive—inside the system.
  • [02:52] “Today we're going to be listening to an episode out of our first season... it's called Gold Coats and OGs.” — Earlonne Woods

2. Aging Inside: San Quentin’s Elder Population

• The older population of San Quentin is described as unusual but increasingly common. Lonnie Morris, incarcerated since 1978, discusses the difficulty and dread of dying behind bars.
• Earlonne explains the draw of San Quentin for long-term inmates due to its programs and overall safer environment compared to other California prisons.
  • [06:29] “I didn't think I was gonna serve seven years, but I sure didn't think I was gonna serve 40.” — Lonnie Morris
  • [07:38] “I wanted to transfer to San Quentin because of the film program... now I'm into podcasting with you.” — Earlonne Woods

3. The Emotional Cost of Aging & Dying in Prison

• The conversation is candid about the inevitability of death in prison, the fears associated with dying inside, and the harsh, sometimes violent history of San Quentin.
• Lonnie reflects on witnessing countless deaths, from natural causes to stabbings and suicides in earlier, more violent decades.
  • [10:39] “Hundreds that I knew... gunshots, strokes, heart attacks... people burnt up in their cells… Some purposely set on fire.” — Lonnie Morris

4. Changing Prison Culture: From Survival to Support

• Historically, being an “OG” (original gangster) meant surviving the violence long enough to become an elder. Physical strength was critical.
• Now, respect is more often shown for elder prisoners and physical violence has decreased, thanks in part to programs and changing policies (for instance, the removal of weights in California prisons).
  • [15:13] “Old cats was out there lifting... you couldn't afford to be frail and weak.” — Lonnie Morris

5. The “Gold Coats” – Peer Caregivers in Prison

• Gold Coats are inmates who assist disabled or infirm individuals, named for their identifying yellow shirts. Their duties range from cleaning and feeding to providing companionship and ensuring medical care.
• Richard Lathan, a Gold Coat, shares the emotional labor of helping those who don’t want to die alone—or in the hospital. The job serves as both community care and redemption for some, including Richard who wants “to give back.”
  • [17:05] “My position is that I do everything that an inmate needs assistance on… cleaning up scabies, cleaning up feces…” — Richard Lathan
  • [24:12] “Because I was a gang member, so now this is my chance of giving back. So this is how I do it.” — Richard Lathan

6. A Personal Story: Lonnie and His Dying Cellmate

• Lonnie recounts caring for his cellmate “T,” whose health rapidly declined from cancer. Despite efforts, T refuses to go to the hospital and eventually dies, not before tense feelings arise about the necessity of moving him for proper care.
  • [23:25] “I looked in his bed, and it was full of defecation. And I was like, bruh, I’m not... I can’t take care of you, man. Look at this, man. I don’t know what to tell you, but you gotta go.” — Lonnie Morris
  • [33:39] “I done took care of this dude all this damn time, did all this stuff for him. And he gonna say now that I crossed him into the hospital... That was the really difficult part.” — Lonnie Morris

7. Reflection and Vulnerability

• Earlonne and Bruce comment on hearing Lonnie’s vulnerability and tears, noting how such stories highlight the deep humanity that endures in prison and challenge stereotypes.
  • [25:29] “I didn’t know we had Lonnie on there crying… just to show cats' humanity.” — Earlonne Woods

8. Practical Realities: Programs, Transfers, and Getting Out

• The hosts also touch on the obstacles and strategies inmates use to transfer into San Quentin, including Earlonne’s own “nuclear option” of faking depression symptoms for a mental health transfer.
  • [27:44] “I ended up watching maybe 10 Zoloft commercials... I just went in there and just recited all that to the psych.” — Earlonne Woods

9. Broader Themes: Time, Growth, and Aging

• The episode draws connections between the passage of time, changes in prison culture, and the personal growth of those inside.
• Both Earlonne and Nigel note that they’re drawn to stories about time and aging, reflecting their own lives and changing perspectives.
  • [36:53] “We're getting older... I think part of CDCR taking those weights out kind of like made the population get old.” — Earlonne Woods

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [09:11] “For me, my big thought process is that I’m not dying in prison. So I’m not going to think about it.” — Lonnie Morris
• [13:06] “I refuse to die in prison. I don’t care how old I get, I’m gonna make it to the streets.” — Andre Eric Watson
• [17:05] “Cleaning up scabies, cleaning up feces, basically assisting an inmate... making sure they get to their appointments, assisting them if they can't read or write.” — Richard Lathan
• [23:25] “I'm not... I can't take care of you, man. Look at this, man. I don't know what to tell you, but you gotta go. You gotta go to the hospital.” — Lonnie Morris
• [24:12] “Now this is my chance of giving back. So this is how I do it. I figure if I give back to life, then my life would be given back to me.” — Richard Lathan

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:52] — Why revisit “Gold Coats and OGs”; choosing this sleeper hit
• [06:20] — Lonnie Morris on entering prison and perceptions of aging inmates
• [10:39] — The realities of death in prison, then and now
• [13:06] — Andre Eric Watson’s resilience and humor about aging inside
• [15:13] — OGs, strength, and the end of weights in California prisons
• [17:05] — Gold Coats' responsibilities, featuring Richard Lathan
• [23:25] — Lonnie’s personal story of caring for T
• [25:29] — Earlonne on Lonnie’s vulnerability and the humanity of the incarcerated
• [27:44] — Earlonne’s “nuclear option” and his journey to San Quentin
• [33:39] — Lonnie’s emotional struggle caring for his dying friend
• [36:53] — Earlonne on how weight policy changes affected aging in prison

Flow & Tone

The episode is distinctly conversational, alternating between humor (“The Silver Fox,” [00:38]) and raw, sometimes painful realities. The hosts and contributors break down stigmas by addressing themes of aging, care, loss, and personal growth head-on, with honesty and occasional irreverence.

• [25:29] “I didn’t know we had Lonnie on there crying... to show cats' humanity.” — Earlonne Woods

Final Thoughts

By revisiting "Gold Coats and OGs," Ear Hustle delivers a moving meditation on aging, humanity, and community inside prison—a place often depicted as devoid of both. The episode’s strength lies in its unflinching look at decline, care, and everyday perseverance among people often overlooked in discussions about criminal justice.

For listeners seeking a true sense of life—and death—inside, this episode is an unforgettable window into resilience, brotherhood, and the unyielding will to survive and be seen.

Listen to the full episode at Ear Hustle’s website.