Prison Pen Pal Podcast

PenPals.Buzz

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. 3d ago

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

    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@penpals.buzz or leave us a voice message at https://penpalpodcast.com

    21 min

  2. May 7

    Serial Killer Pen Pal: DeWayne Lee Harris

    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.

    32 min

  3. Apr 30

    Jason Kurtz's Fitness and Wisdom

    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@penpals.buzz or by phone at 888.273.6725. Listen to all episodes at https://penpalpodcast.com

    28 min

  4. Apr 23

    Jacobi Thornsberry: Conversation with an Oregon Inmate

    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.

    27 min

  5. Apr 16

    Name Change in Prison: Savannah's Story

    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.

    17 min

  6. Apr 2

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

    "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

    43 min

  7. Mar 27

    Psychology of Prison Relationships, with Trauma Specialist Jennifer Garcia

    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.

    43 min

  8. Mar 26

    Prison Relationships: Alone Again

    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

    35 min
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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
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 PenPals.Buzz
  • Show Website
    Prison Pen Pal Podcast