Locked In with Ian Bick

Ian Bick

Real stories from the people everyone else judges first. Hosted by Ian Bick — former federal inmate turned speaker and podcaster — this show sits down with former inmates, recovering addicts, bikers, law enforcement, investigators, and people who have lived through the darkest chapters of their lives. Each episode dives deep into crime, prison, addiction, trauma, redemption, mental health, street life, recovery, and second chances — without scripts, filters, or fake narratives. If you’re into true crime, raw prison stories, personal transformation, and real human honesty, you’ll feel at home here. This isn’t entertainment. It’s lived experience.

  1. I Was a Latin King — This Is How I Survived Prison | Steven Johnson

    24 MINS AGO

    I Was a Latin King — This Is How I Survived Prison | Steven Johnson

    Steven Johnson grew up in Connecticut surrounded by instability and a rough childhood that pushed him toward the streets at a young age. As a teenager, he joined the Latin Kings and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a chapter president before landing in Connecticut state prison. While serving time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Steven made a decision that could have cost him his life — walking away from the gang while still incarcerated. In this episode, he shares what prison was really like during that era, how he survived the consequences of leaving the Kings behind bars, and how that choice completely changed the course of his life. After his release, Steven never looked back, building a new path rooted in discipline, accountability, and staying out of the system for good. _____________________________________________ #LatinKings #PrisonStories #GangLife #LifeAfterPrison #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeSystem #RedemptionStory #lockedin _____________________________________________ Than you to AVA & LUCY for sponsoring this episode: AVA: Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app and when you join using my promo code LOCKEDIN, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice. _____________________________________________ LUCY: Go to HTTP://LUCY.CO/IANBICK and use promo code IANBICK to get 20% off your first order. _____________________________________________ Connect with Steven Johnson: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.john.247800 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@newslifeandbeyond?si=9xofBYhgZMzYNf4b _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Worst Jail Memory That Still Haunts Him 00:36 Meet Steven: Life, Background & Podcast Journey 03:20 Growing Up in New London, Connecticut 07:00 Family Life, Poverty & Early Struggles 13:41 Drugs, Trauma & Losing Stability at a Young Age 19:49 Teenage Hustles, Survival & Dropping Out of School 25:05 Entering Street Life & First Crimes 28:59 When Gang Culture Took Over Connecticut 32:32 Deeper Gang Involvement & Losing Control 36:04 Becoming a Latin King 40:03 Gang Leadership, Power & Expanding Influence 44:00 Trying to Change — Then Getting Arrested 54:05 County Jail Reality Check 01:03:33 Leaving the Gang While Locked Up 01:09:19 Transfer to Cheshire Prison & Daily Routine 01:14:02 Getting Sent to Virginia Prison 01:18:04 Prison Politics & Surviving Without Trouble 01:25:01 Life Lessons From Prison & Walking Away From the Gang 01:27:01 Life After Prison & Staying Clean 01:33:01 Rebuilding Family Relationships & Finding Purpose 01:40:11 Final Reflections & Advice to the Next Generation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 51m
  2. How I Survived Massachusetts’ Brutal Juvenile Detention System | Michael Bishop

    1D AGO

    How I Survived Massachusetts’ Brutal Juvenile Detention System | Michael Bishop

    Michael Bishop grew up surrounded by emotional trauma, bullying, homelessness, and instability, moving in and out of the foster care system while dealing with serious issues at home. Fighting became a way to survive, and that anger eventually led to him being locked inside Massachusetts juvenile detention centers for nearly two years. In this episode, Michael shares a firsthand account of life inside youth detention, including physical abuse by guards and the long-term impact of being punished instead of protected. This conversation exposes the harsh realities of the juvenile justice system and how a broken upbringing and systemic failures shaped the course of his life. _____________________________________________ #JuvenileDetention #PrisonStories #JusticeSystem #SurvivorStory #TrueCrimePodcast #Massachusetts #LifeBehindBars #lockedin _____________________________________________ Thank you to PRIZEPICKS & GOLD DROP SELTZERS for sponsoring this episode: PRIZEPICKS: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! _____________________________________________ GOLD DROP: Head to https://www.thedryoak.com/ and use promo code LOCKEDIN at checkout for 10% off your order. _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Brutal Beginnings Inside Juvenile Detention 00:40 Childhood Trauma, Homelessness & Foster Care 01:05 Meet Mike: His Story Begins 02:24 Growing Up With Instability & Family Struggles 05:04 Homelessness, Loss & a Broken Family System 08:26 Bullying, New Schools & Feeling Like an Outsider 13:13 Gifted Programs, Mental Health & Acting Out 16:32 Rebellion, Police Encounters & the CHINS Program 23:00 School Fights, Suspensions & Falling Behind 27:27 DSS Group Homes & Foster Care 33:02 Foster Homes, School Incidents & Authority Clashes 40:54 Probation, Drug Tests & Escalating Legal Trouble 46:26 Alternative School, Metal Detectors & Physical Restraints 53:46 Probation Chaos, Failed Drug Tests & Court Dates 56:14 Sentenced to Juvenile Detention 01:01:14 Intake & Assessment Unit: Fear, Isolation & First Restraints 01:11:51 Westborough Secure Unit: Abuse, Trauma & Turning 18 01:20:05 Staff Abuse, Manipulation & Surviving the System 01:31:01 Developing Narcolepsy While Locked Up 01:39:27 Violence, Corruption & Hard Lessons Learned 01:46:03 Other Kids’ Stories: System Failure on Repeat 01:53:37 The Final Straw: Restraint, Investigation & Consequences 02:02:02 Transferred to a New Facility: A Glimmer of Hope 02:08:11 Release From Juvie, Recovery & Life After Lockup 02:13:29 Mental Health, Healing & Breaking the Cycle 02:16:49 Final Thoughts: Advice for At-Risk Youth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 26m
  3. I Worked Inside Rikers Island — It Was Hell | Matt Frey

    2D AGO

    I Worked Inside Rikers Island — It Was Hell | Matt Frey

    Matt Frey spent seven years working as a therapist inside Rikers Island from 2011 to 2018, a job he never imagined taking growing up in the suburbs of New York. In this episode, Matt gives a rare inside look at day-to-day life at Rikers from the inmate perspective, breaking down what really happens in both General Population and Mental Observation housing. He shares firsthand experiences with extreme violence, inmate suicides, unprovoked attacks on staff, and the psychological toll of working inside one of America’s most notorious jail systems. Matt also explains how inmates sometimes manipulate mental health services for protection or legal advantage, what it’s like hearing confessions protected by confidentiality, and the surreal reality of assessing people just hours after seeing their alleged crimes on the news. Now running his own psychotherapy practice after leaving Rikers, Matt reflects on boundaries, trauma, and how working inside the jail changed him forever. _____________________________________________ #RikersIsland #PrisonStories #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeSystem #PrisonLife #MentalHealthInPrison #LifeBehindBars #lockedin _____________________________________________ Thank you to AVA for sponsoring this episode: Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app and when you join using my promo code LOCKEDIN, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice. _____________________________________________ Connect with Matt Frey: Instagram: @freymentalfitness @outliftathletics @mcfrey27 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585253558683 _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Life Inside Rikers Island (What No One Sees) 01:14 Meet Matt: A Therapist Inside Rikers Island 03:00 From Rikers Island to Private Practice 07:12 Matt’s Early Life & Why He Chose Mental Health 13:55 First Jobs in Mental Health & Prison Work 18:43 First Day Working at Rikers Island (Shock & Reality) 20:44 How Therapy Works Inside a Jail 23:10 Violence, Suicides & Mental Health at Rikers 27:29 Solitary Confinement & Its Psychological Damage 32:58 Daily Life at Rikers: Safety, Filth & Neglect 37:06 Confidentiality, Courts & Ethical Dilemmas in Jail 45:01 The Human Side of Rikers: Trauma & Inmate Stories 53:34 Why He Left Rikers Island 01:00:26 Lessons Learned About Justice, Mental Health & Reform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 13m
  4. How I Went From Shopping for Celebrities to Rikers Island | Dylan Syer

    3D AGO

    How I Went From Shopping for Celebrities to Rikers Island | Dylan Syer

    Dylan Syer speaks publicly for the first time about the high-profile accusations that upended his life, including allegations of fraud, identity theft, and grand larceny stemming from his work as a celebrity personal shopper. Prosecutors claimed Dylan used access to clients’ finances to make unauthorized luxury purchases, accusations he firmly denies. In this episode, Dylan explains what he says really happened, how the charges caused his business to collapse overnight, and what it was like being sent to Rikers Island while fighting to clear his name. He also opens up about the emotional toll of the case, navigating the criminal justice system, and ultimately being sentenced to one year of weekends at Rikers — a punishment that kept him trapped between freedom and incarceration. _____________________________________________ #RikersIsland #PrisonStories #TrueCrimePodcast #CelebrityLifestyle #LifeAfterPrison #JusticeSystem #RedemptionStory #lockedin _____________________________________________ Thank you to AVA & GOLD DROP SELTZERS for sponsoring this episode: AVA: Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app and when you join using my promo code LOCKEDIN, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice. _____________________________________________ GOLD DROP SELTZERS: Head to https://www.thedryoak.com/ and use promo code LOCKEDIN at checkout for 10% off your order. _____________________________________________ Connect with Dylan Syer: Instagram: @SireConsultant TikTok: @SireConsultant _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Police Raid, Fraud Charges, and Everything Falling Apart 01:55 Dylan Sire’s Case: The Allegations and Why This Story Matters 02:59 Childhood, Family Values, and Early Influences 05:53 Discovering Luxury Fashion and the High-End World 09:47 Breaking Into High-End Sales and Designer Retail 14:12 Launching His Own Boutique and Becoming an Entrepreneur 22:14 Building a Celebrity Personal Shopper Business 27:47 Industry Shifts, Competition, and Cracks in the Model 33:53 Big Clients, Luxury Spending, and How the Business Worked 38:18 Financial Pressure, Business Trouble, and Legal Red Flags 42:38 Account Freezes, Chargebacks, and Sudden Collapse 47:17 Arrest, Booking, and Arrival at Rikers Island 54:00 Inside Rikers Island: Survival, Fear, and Reality 01:01:56 Bail, Media Attention, and Public Fallout 01:09:01 Court Proceedings, Charges, and Legal Strategy 01:16:20 Sentenced to Weekends at Rikers: How It Worked 01:23:30 Relationships, Trust, and Personal Consequences 01:32:00 Rebuilding After the Case: Frugality, Growth, and Lessons Learned 01:36:00 Final Reflections, Accountability, and Moving Forward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 43m
  5. I Was a Prison Guard — Then I Got Arrested | Andrew Gautreau

    4D AGO

    I Was a Prison Guard — Then I Got Arrested | Andrew Gautreau

    Andrew Gautreau grew up in a good family in Louisiana, but addiction took hold in his teenage years and quickly sent his life off the rails. After finishing trade school, he began getting arrested for drug offenses — yet somehow still landed a job as a prison guard, training for a month at Angola, one of the most notorious prisons in America. His time on the job lasted just six months before he quit right before being fired, all while being arrested twice for drug charges outside the prison. As his addiction spiraled further, Andrew ended up cycling through local jails and a correctional work facility, where he spent nearly two years behind bars. In this episode, he opens up about addiction, hypocrisy inside the justice system, life on both sides of the bars, and how he ultimately turned everything around and got sober. _____________________________________________ #PrisonStories #AddictionRecovery #CorruptPrisonGuard #LifeAfterPrison #TrueCrimePodcast #AngolaPrison #FormerInmate #redemptionstory _____________________________________________ Thank you to PRIZEPICKS & LUCY for sponsoring this episode: LUCY: Go to HTTP://LUCY.CO/IANBICK and use promo code IANBICK to get 20% off your first order. _____________________________________________ PRIZEPICKS: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! _____________________________________________ Connect with Andrew Gautreau: https://tattedbadclothing.myshopify.com/ _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 From Addiction to Prison Guard: A Life on the Edge 01:00 Growing Up in Louisiana and Early Influences 08:00 Family Values, Childhood Trauma, and Identity 13:00 First Drugs, Addiction, and Losing Control 18:00 First Arrests, Criminal Charges, and Consequences 24:00 Escalation: Jail Time, Probation, and Repeat Mistakes 31:00 Becoming a Correctional Officer Against the Odds 36:00 Inside Angola Prison: Training, Reality, and Moral Conflict 42:00 Daily Life as a Prison Guard Behind the Walls 47:00 Drugs, Arrests, and Walking Away from the Job 52:00 Addiction Spirals: Crime, Chaos, and Self-Destruction 58:00 Rock Bottom: Overdoses, Homelessness, and Survival 01:03:00 Getting Sober and Rebuilding From Nothing 01:09:00 Life After Addiction: Giving Back and Helping Others 01:13:00 Lessons Learned, Redemption, and Final Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 16m
  6. How I Survived Texas State Jails & Prisons | Corey Simek

    JAN 29

    How I Survived Texas State Jails & Prisons | Corey Simek

    Cory Simek grew up in Texas surrounded by crime and addiction, with both of his parents involved in drug dealing and his father eventually sentenced to prison. Following in his family’s footsteps, Cory found himself in and out of Texas jails before ultimately receiving a state prison sentence. In this episode, Cory shares what it was really like surviving Texas state jails and prisons, including running with an independent prison group, navigating constant violence, and learning the unspoken rules of life behind bars. He opens up about how his upbringing shaped his choices, the realities of incarceration in Texas, and the moments that forced him to confront where his life was headed. _____________________________________________ #TexasPrison #PrisonSurvival #PrisonLife #StatePrison #TrueCrime #LifeInPrison #PrisonStories #incarceration _____________________________________________ Thank you to WARBY PARKER and LUCY for sponsoring this episode: WARBY PARKER: Our listeners get 15% off plus free shipping when they buy two or more pairs of prescription glasses at https://warbyparker.com/LOCKEDIN — using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #addictionrecovery _____________________________________________ LUCY: Go to HTTP://LUCY.CO/IANBICK and use promo code IANBICK to get 20% off your first order. _____________________________________________ Connect with Corey Simek: https://linktr.ee/corywiththekeys _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Jail Respect, Survival Rules, and the Inmate Code 00:58 Meet Cory: A Life Shaped by the Streets 01:16 Growing Up in Texas: Family, Environment, and Early Influence 03:33 A Double Life, Childhood Trauma, and Loss 05:39 Early Exposure and a Parent’s Relapse 06:09 Childhood Anxiety, Pressure, and Coping Mechanisms 06:12 Teenage Years: Hustling, and Fast Money 08:22 Escalation to Street Dealing 10:31 Proving Himself, Reputation, and Street Mentality 11:08 When Street Life Turns Dangerous 12:19 Living Alone at 16 and Losing Stability 13:44 School Struggles, Chaos, and Loss of Control 14:52 First Arrest and Learning Jail Survival 15:55 Racial Politics and Jail Dynamics 17:15 State Jail Life: Gangs, Woods, and Staying Alive 22:07 Lockdowns, Group Tensions, and Constant Pressure 24:41 Standing Alone and the Cost of Independence 27:02 Culture Shock Inside State Jail 28:22 The Revolving Door: Getting Out, Getting Locked Up Again 32:31 Pregnancy, DNA Results, and Emotional Breakdown 37:00 Probation, Trap Life, and Getting Caught Again 41:35 Facing a Five-Year Prison Sentence 44:31 Inside State Prison: Daily Life and Harsh Realities 53:15 Hitting Rock Bottom: Isolation and Mental Reinvention 57:21 Unit Transfers, Prison Politics, and Power Shifts 01:05:18 Gang Politics, Violent Fights, and Survival Challenges 01:15:11 Release Day and Reentering Society 01:20:32 Rebuilding Life After Prison Against the Odds 01:23:01 Success After Prison: Real Estate, Music, and Purpose 01:25:04 Final Reflections: Change, Redemption, and Prison Reform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 35m
  7. How I Caught Child Predators as a Federal Agent | Jim Cole

    JAN 28

    How I Caught Child Predators as a Federal Agent | Jim Cole

    Jim Cole, a retired Supervisory Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and global expert on child exploitation and victim identification, sits down to reveal the untold truth about fighting child predators and digital crime. With nearly 35 years in law enforcement, Jim led major initiatives including founding the HSI Victim Identification Program, co-founding Project VIC to help identify and rescue thousands of children worldwide, and serving as Chair of the INTERPOL Specialists Group on Crimes Against Children. He now serves as Chief of Law Enforcement Enterprise & Technology at Operation Light Shine and partners with law enforcement, technology providers, and nonprofits to innovate how child exploitation investigations are handled. In this heart-breaking conversation with Ian Bick, Jim shares inside stories from real cases, the mental and emotional toll of this work, and why putting victims first changes everything in the fight against online predators. _____________________________________________ #TrueCrime #CrimeStories #UndercoverWork #LawEnforcement #CriminalInvestigation #DarkSideOfTheJob #RealLifeStories #FormerAgent _____________________________________________ Thank you to GOLD DROP SELTZERS for sponsoring this episode: Head to https://www.thedryoak.com/ and use promo code LOCKEDIN at checkout for 10% off your order. _____________________________________________ Connect with Jim Cole: http://www.operationlightshine.org _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 The Emotional Toll of Law Enforcement Work 01:10 Meet Jim Cole: Career in Law Enforcement 03:39 Childhood, Family, Military Service, and Values 10:57 Becoming a Police Officer and Early Training 16:13 Patrol Work, Street Policing, and Daily Challenges 20:07 Joining the Detective Division 23:48 Crime on Tribal Lands, Limited Resources, and Jurisdiction 28:34 Narcotics Investigations, Task Forces, and Drug Crimes 34:37 Shocking Violent Crimes and Career-Defining Cases 41:08 Federal Partnerships and Complex Investigations 46:27 Technology, the Private Sector, and a Shift in Perspective 50:33 Transitioning to Federal Law Enforcement 54:00 First Child Exploitation Investigations 59:29 Victim-Centered Cases and a Turning Point in His Career 01:04:43 Understanding Offenders and the Scope of Child Exploitation 01:10:53 Child Exploitation Statistics, Tips, and Resource Gaps 01:15:47 Law Enforcement Funding, Staffing, and Hard Realities 01:23:17 Types of Offenders, Grooming Tactics, and Warning Signs 01:29:02 Human Trafficking: Myths vs. Reality 01:35:06 Casework, Prevention, and the Role of Parents 01:40:13 Female Offenders and Rare but Shocking Cases 01:46:09 Mental Health, Burnout, and the Toughest Investigations 01:53:10 Retirement, Advocacy, and Final Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 2m
  8. How I Survived 15+ Years in Michigan State Prisons | Sonny Von Cleveland

    JAN 27

    How I Survived 15+ Years in Michigan State Prisons | Sonny Von Cleveland

    Sonny Von Cleveland opens up about serving nearly two decades in prison and the harsh realities of being young, white, and unprepared for prison life. Pulled into violence and survival politics at an early age, Sonny breaks down what it really takes to make it through long prison sentences, the fear, the mistakes, and the lessons learned the hard way behind bars. He speaks candidly about navigating race, identity, and power inside prison, how incarceration forced him to confront his past, and the mindset shift that ultimately saved his life. Today, Sonny has transformed his story into purpose as a speaker, mentor, and community leader, proving that even the darkest chapters don’t have to define how the story ends. _____________________________________________ #PrisonSurvival #MichiganPrison #PrisonLife #TrueCrime #LifeInPrison #PrisonStories #SurvivingPrison #incarceration _____________________________________________ Connect with Sonny Von Cleveland: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonnyvonclevelandofficial/ Website: https://www.sonnyvoncleveland.com/ _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 First Days in Prison: Shock, Fear, and Survival 02:00 Growing Up in the Midwest Before Prison 06:40 Family Trauma, Abuse, and a Broken Childhood 12:00 Surviving Abuse and Learning to Cope 17:00 Running Away, Street Life, and Early Crime 21:00 The Road to Prison: Charges, Conviction, and Sentencing 24:40 Entering Adult Prison for the First Time 26:00 Prison Violence, Gangs, and Losing Innocence 31:30 Regret, Lost Youth, and Missed Chances 35:40 Solitary Confinement, System Failures, and Mental Survival 41:00 Release, Reoffending, and a Second Prison Sentence 46:00 Life After Release: Family Conflict, Crime, and Betrayal 52:00 Solitary Confinement, Transformation, and Forgiveness 59:00 Self-Reflection, Growth, and Mental Survival in Prison 01:03:00 Teaching Others, Service, and Finding Purpose Behind Bars 01:09:00 Leaving Gang Life and Choosing a Different Path 01:14:00 Reentry After Prison: Starting Over From Nothing 01:19:00 Using His Story to Help Others Avoid Prison 01:22:00 Final Advice, Redemption, and Life’s True Purpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 30m
4.8
out of 5
49 Ratings

About

Real stories from the people everyone else judges first. Hosted by Ian Bick — former federal inmate turned speaker and podcaster — this show sits down with former inmates, recovering addicts, bikers, law enforcement, investigators, and people who have lived through the darkest chapters of their lives. Each episode dives deep into crime, prison, addiction, trauma, redemption, mental health, street life, recovery, and second chances — without scripts, filters, or fake narratives. If you’re into true crime, raw prison stories, personal transformation, and real human honesty, you’ll feel at home here. This isn’t entertainment. It’s lived experience.

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