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Prisoncast!

WBEZ

Prisoncast! is a show made with and for people in Illinois prisons and jails, and their loved ones on the outside. We feature stories, investigations, interviews, and sounds from beyond prison walls – all requested by our incarcerated listeners. Each episode is a bite-sized bundle of some of our favorites. Take a glimpse inside a carceral system that’s designed to be invisible. Engage us at prisoncast@wbez.org. Listen free in prisons and jails on the Edovo app.

Prisoncast! is a show made with and for people in Illinois prisons and jails, and their loved ones on the outside. We feature stories, investigations, interviews, and sounds from beyond prison walls – all requested by our incarcerated listeners. Each episode is a bite-sized bundle of some of our favorites. Take a glimpse inside a carceral system that’s designed to be invisible. Engage us at prisoncast@wbez.org. Listen free in prisons and jails on the Edovo app.

3hr 59min
Thumbnail for "S2E6: Fires at a Joliet prison".
At the Joliet Treatment Center, desperate men set themselves on fire
August 10, 202614min 2sec20.24 MB
Thumbnail for "S2E7: The building block".
Inside the "Building Block" program at an Illinois prison
August 17, 202612min 25sec17.91 MB
Thumbnail for "S2E5: The rebirth of sound".
The restorative power of music inside prison walls
August 10, 202620min 19sec29.29 MB
Thumbnail for "S2E4: How to grieve in prison".
Advice for processing loss while locked up
August 3, 202623min 6sec33.29 MB
Thumbnail for "S2E3: Defining ‘rehabilitation’".
Illinois prisons say they rehabilitate. How do people inside feel?
July 27, 202616min 46sec24.17 MB
Thumbnail for "S2E2: Inside a cell, summer is sweltering".
A look at the dangers posed by extreme heat inside prison
July 20, 202616min 57sec24.44 MB
Thumbnail for "S2E1: A college class behind bars learns audio reporting".
Season 2 of "Prisoncast!" kicks off with journalism that originated in a prison classroom
July 13, 202618min 46sec27.05 MB
Thumbnail for "S1E7: The Catholic sister-turned-activist against the death penalty".
Meet Sister Helen Prejean, who helped end the death penalty in Illinois 15 years ago
May 18, 202615min 32sec22.4 MB
Thumbnail for "S1E6: Father and son, reunited -- behind bars".
Two men rebuild their relationship while locked up in the same prison.
May 11, 202614min 2sec20.23 MB
Thumbnail for "S1E5: Forgiveness and a mother's love".
Her son was murdered. She pleaded for leniency for his killer.
May 4, 202615min 25sec22.22 MB
Thumbnail for "S1E4: Is Chicago's best pizza made inside Cook County Jail?".
The life-changing force of education behind bars
April 27, 202620min 5sec28.95 MB
Thumbnail for "S1E3: How to make a prison pianist".
One incarcerated musician's journey
April 17, 202613min 13sec19.06 MB
Thumbnail for "S1E2: Parenting from behind bars".
How to be a present parent, even when you're locked up.
April 17, 202618min 38sec26.86 MB
Thumbnail for "S1E1: A Chicago mayor walks into a prison".
The inaugural episode of the Prisoncast! podcast
April 17, 202615min 13sec21.94 MB
Thumbnail for "Prisoncast Trailer".
April 3, 20264min 10sec3.02 MB

S2E6: Fires at a Joliet prison

Thumbnail for "S2E6: Fires at a Joliet prison".
August 10, 202614min 2sec

The Joliet Treatment Center, designed to treat people with serious mental illness, repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires despite two deaths. That's according to a recent investigation by The Marshall Project, WBEZ and the Sun-Times.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, help is available by calling or texting 9-8-8

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