Prison Pen Pal Podcast

PenPals.Buzz
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  • True Crime

Many believe prison inmates to be completely undeserving of love or friendship. PenPals.Buzz founder, Big Steve, disagrees. He discusses the value of having a pen pal, both for the inmate and for the free-world individual. He should know -- after all, in 2014, he met his wife on a prison pen pal website. In this fascinating podcast, Big Steve shares contrasting opinions from men and women of all walks of life in attempt to answer this key question: should all 2.1 million prison inmates in America be discarded like trash and forgotten? Do they really deserve to "rot", or might they have some redeeming qualities, some hope for a brighter future? In the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, you'll hear a more human side to prisoners, and you'll realize that not all prison pen pals are just after money on their commissary accounts or sexy photos. There's more to the story -- a lot more. Most inmates, in fact, just want a "friend on the streets." And why wouldn't they? Only 2% of inmates in the USA regularly keep in touch with someone on the outside.

  1. Sep 27

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

    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

  2. Sep 21

    How Many Prison Pen Pals is Too Many?

    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.

  3. Sep 1

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

    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

  4. Aug 19

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

    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.

  5. Aug 9

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

    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.

  6. Jul 28

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

    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

  7. Jul 21

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

    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

  8. Jul 8

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

    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

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About

Many believe prison inmates to be completely undeserving of love or friendship. PenPals.Buzz founder, Big Steve, disagrees. He discusses the value of having a pen pal, both for the inmate and for the free-world individual. He should know -- after all, in 2014, he met his wife on a prison pen pal website. In this fascinating podcast, Big Steve shares contrasting opinions from men and women of all walks of life in attempt to answer this key question: should all 2.1 million prison inmates in America be discarded like trash and forgotten? Do they really deserve to "rot", or might they have some redeeming qualities, some hope for a brighter future? In the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, you'll hear a more human side to prisoners, and you'll realize that not all prison pen pals are just after money on their commissary accounts or sexy photos. There's more to the story -- a lot more. Most inmates, in fact, just want a "friend on the streets." And why wouldn't they? Only 2% of inmates in the USA regularly keep in touch with someone on the outside.

Information

  • Creator
    PenPals.Buzz
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 PenPals.Buzz
  • Show Website
    Prison Pen Pal Podcast

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