Listen Now: UNCUFFED

Summary

Fire Escape Podcast Episode Summary: "Listen Now: UNCUFFED"

Release Date: April 10, 2025
Host: Anna Sussman
Episode: Listen Now: UNCUFFED

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Introduction to UNCUFFED

In this compelling episode of Fire Escape, host Anna Sussman introduces listeners to a new and impactful podcast titled UNGCUFFED. The episode serves as a bridge between Fire Escape and UNGCUFFED, highlighting the latter's mission to empower incarcerated individuals to share their own narratives.

Greg Eskridge’s Journey to Freedom

The heart of the episode features Greg Eskridge, a pivotal figure in the creation of UNGCUFFED. Greg shares his deeply personal experience of being released after over 30 years in prison, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into his transition from incarceration to freedom.

• A New Beginning Without Restraints

  Greg contrasts his recent release with typical post-prison procedures:

  "Normally, when you leave the prison, you leave in the van. If you're going to the hospital, going to some appointment, and you're in a bright yellow or orange jumpsuit, your hands are shackled, your feet are shackled..." (00:55)

  However, Greg experienced a different reality:

  "Today it was different. I get in the van and I have on black jeans and regular street clothes. No restraints whatsoever." (00:55)

• The Illusion of Proximity to Freedom

  Reflecting on his release, Greg poignantly notes:

  "It's so crazy how you would think, like, freedom would be miles and miles away from the prison, but freedom is literally just a few feet away." (00:55)

The Emotional Release

Greg vividly recounts the emotional moment of his release, highlighting the overwhelming support from family, friends, and even correctional staff.

• A Sea of Support

  "I just saw so many people just standing outside. I just heard the cheering, the roaring..." (00:55)

  The joy of reunion is palpable as Greg describes embracing numerous loved ones:

  "I shifted my direction to the right hugged about 20, 30 people. Then I came back and hugged about another 20, 30 people. It seemed like it felt like I hugged a thousand people that day." (00:55)

Facing the Realities of Freedom

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Greg underscores the persistent challenges that new inmates face even after their release.

• The Lingering Ties to Incarceration

  "I'm still attached to this K07041 number that I've had for the past 30 years. Even though I walked out of San Quentin." (00:55)

  He emphasizes the thin line separating freedom from the potential return to prison:

  "San Quentin really is not that far away. If I make a mistake." (00:55)

Transitioning to Life on the Outside

Greg shares his initial steps post-release, symbolizing the beginning of his new life.

• Embracing Ordinary Moments

  "After all the hugs and all the photos were taken, it was time to go out to breakfast. And we all piled up in various cars and drove to the eating spot. I see all that breakfast, that was the beginning of my new life on the outside." (00:55)

The Evolution of UNCUFFED

Originally a small initiative within San Quentin, UNGCUFFED has grown into a significant platform for storytelling and advocacy.

• From Radio Stories to a National Podcast

  "It started with just a few of us inside San Quentin doing radio stories for kalw. Over the years, uncuffed expanded to other prisons, and then it became this podcast where we share stories by people on the inside." (00:55)

A New Season with Greg at the Helm

In a heartfelt announcement, Greg reveals his new role as the host of UNGCUFFED, marking a shift towards more personal storytelling.

• Sharing Personal and Collective Experiences

  "We'll still be bringing you stories from inside of prison. But now I'm going to be your host. That means I'll be here with you every episode, sharing more of my own story." (00:55)

  Greg commits to exploring the multifaceted journey of reentry, delving into his past and the factors that led to his incarceration:

  "We’re gonna go back to my childhood... to better understand the decisions that led me to prison." (00:55)

Expanding the Narrative to Include Women’s Experiences

Emphasizing inclusivity, Greg announces the inclusion of stories from women’s prisons, broadening the scope of UNGCUFFED.

• Highlighting Diverse Stories

  "For the first time ever, we will be leading classes and featuring stories from a women's prison, the California institution for women." (00:55)

Greg’s Personal Reflections

Greg opens up about his emotional struggles and personal identity, adding depth to his narrative.

• A Journey of Emotional and Mental Struggles

  "I come from a deep struggle with my mental and emotions. I come from a small village of warriors. Man, I am so excited to hear them." (00:55)

Conclusion and Invitation

Anna concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the latest season of UNGCUFFED, emphasizing its relevance to a wide audience.

• A Season for Everyone

  "Whether you're on the inside or you've gotten out, whether someone you love is locked up or you've never met anyone who's been in prison, trust me, there is something for you on this season of uncuffed." (00:55)

Key Takeaways

• Empowerment Through Storytelling: UNGCUFFED provides a vital platform for incarcerated individuals to share their experiences, fostering understanding and advocacy.

• The Complexity of Freedom: Greg’s story illustrates that physical release from prison is just the beginning of a challenging journey toward true freedom.

• Inclusivity and Growth: The podcast’s expansion to include women's prison stories highlights a commitment to diverse narratives within the criminal justice system.

• Personal Growth and Reflection: Greg’s transition to host underscores the importance of personal healing and the ongoing struggle with past traumas.

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Listen Now: To explore more about UNGCUFFED and hear Greg Eskridge’s full story, visit the Wondery App or your preferred podcast platform. Dive into the latest season of UNGCUFFED and join the conversation surrounding incarceration, reentry, and personal transformation.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction by Anna Sussman
• 00:55 – Greg Eskridge shares his release experience
• 08:28 – Conclusion and next steps

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Note: This summary omits advertisements, introductory remarks, and outros to focus solely on the content-rich segments of the episode.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, I'm Anna Sussman, host of Fire Escape. Thanks for listening to the series. Now that you've finished, I want to tell you about another podcast you're going to. Uncuffed. Uncuffed empowers people in prison to tell their own stories. Last summer, something monumental happened. One of the founding producers of Uncuffed, Greg Eskridge, came home after more than 30 years in prison. He was inspired to tell his story of incarceration. And in the very first episode, he, Greg, takes us back to that emotional day last summer when he walked out of the gates of San Quentin free at last. Since then, Uncuffed has been sharing the stories of incarcerated people across the country. I'm about to play you the first episode of the all new season of the Uncuffed Podcast from KALW Public Media. You can listen to the series wherever you get your podcasts. K A L W.

[B]

Normally, when you leave the prison, you leave in the van. If you're going to the hospital, going to some appointment, and you're in a bright yellow or orange jumpsuit, your hands are shackled, your feet are shackled, and there's a cage inside of the van that they put you inside of and lock you in. Today it was different. I get in the van and I have on black jeans and regular street clothes. No restraints whatsoever. Then you go through the gate, you come to another gate, and then you finally get to a last gate before you actually are off the premises. And it's just a parking lot. It's just a parking lot. It's so crazy how you would think, like, freedom would be miles and miles away from the prison, but freedom is literally just a few feet away. What's up, everybody? I'm Greg Eskridge, and this is Uncuffed, the podcast that empowers people in prison to tell their own stories. You might remember hearing me coming at you from inside of San Quentin. Well, things have changed. In July, after more than 30 years in prison, I got out. Let's go. So before I even got out of the van, I just saw so many people just standing outside. I just heard the cheering, the roaring, and I just. I just saw the officer open up the door and he says, eskridge. And I just got out. And for some reason, I don't know why, but I just put my hands up in the air. And I guess it was just one of those moments of just like, free, free at last. And after that, looked to the left, saw my little sister, saw my baby. Amen. 5 I shifted my direction to the right hugged about 20, 30 people. Then I came back and hugged about another 20, 30 people. It seemed like it felt like I hugged a thousand people that day. The fresh Nike zone and all that. You know what I mean? My mother, my aunts, family members, cousins. So many supporters, so many of the KLW staff, correctional officers were out there. Correctional lieutenants were out there. It was so many people from so many different walks of life that was really there to really welcome me home. And it was beautiful. I was talking to my boy Lonnie, and I was like, bro, like, let's pause all of this happiness and let's get down to this business. Like, what's going on with all this paper? Parole conditions of what they called. And this is. It's like about 20, 30 pieces of pa. It has all these dates and had all these times and all these names and numbers of people that you have to contact when you get out. And so I was like, bro, walk me through. Who do I need to contact? So it was just a reminder that I'm not really truly free. Like, I'm still attached to this K07041 number that I've had for the past 30 years. Even though I walked out of San Quentin. Like, in reality, San Quentin really is not that far away. If I make a mistake. What's it called? Google Maps. Google Maps. Can we say, Siri? Where is it at? So after all the hugs and all the photos were taken, it was time to go out to breakfast. And we all piled up in various cars and drove to the eating spot. I see all that breakfast, that was the beginning of my new life on the outside. I was one of the original guys in uncuff program about 10 years ago. It started with just a few of us inside San Quentin doing radio stories for kalw. Over the years, uncuffed expanded to other prisons, and then it became this podcast where we share stories by people on the inside. On this season, we are going to be doing something new. We'll still be bringing you stories from inside of prison. But now I'm going to be your host. That means I'll be here with you every episode, sharing more of my own story. Because getting out, it's not just about the day you get out. It's everything that happens afterward. And we're gonna get into all of it. We're gonna go back to my childhood. And we would roll over in the blanket. So we would be the little brown meat inside the enchilada or the burrito. Try to better understand the decisions that led me to prison. I was just filled with so much anger and just so much resentment, and it was almost like I just couldn't control myself. And the decision I made inside prison, that got me where I am today. I wrote the letter just kind of hoping to somehow get you to tell me the truth. And of course, we are going to keep bringing you stories from inside San Quinn and Solano. I'm going to introduce you to a new group of amazing producers. I was crying, walking to the car. My mom was like, what's wrong with you, boy? I was like, mom, they flunked me. The only thing that was scared me the most was if I was gonna fall out that treehouse or not. There's embers. Like, you could tell there's a big fire going on somewhere. Smoke. Ashes. Like it's raining ashes. And for the first time ever, we will be leading classes and featuring stories from a women's prison, the California institution for women. I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I come from a deep struggle with my mental and emotions. I come from a small village of warriors. Man, I am so excited to hear them. So whether you're on the inside or you've gotten out, whether someone you love is locked up or you've never met anyone who's been in prison, trust me, there is something for you on this season of uncuffed.

[A]

You can listen to more of the latest season of uncuffed right now. Listen to new uncuffed episodes right now. Wherever you get your podcasts.