Shows
Sad FranciscoPrisons Must Fall with Emile DeWeaverSelf abnegation is the total denial of oneself—which is how Emile Suotonye Deweaver describes what it took to get paroled by a white supremacist institution that is about reproducing power hierarchies, not repair or rehabilitation. He writes about the experience (plus notes on shibari and Dungeons & Dragons) in his new book about surviving 21 years in the California prison system, Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine. Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine https://thenewpress.org/books/ghost-in-the-criminal-justice-machine/ Emile's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emilesuotonyedeweaver/ Previous episode with Emile on Gavin Newsom's 'No...2025-06-0940 min
Tavis SmileyEmile DeWeaver joins Tavis SmileyAward-winning activist, owner of Re:Frame LLC and formerly incarcerated author Emile DeWeaver talks about his new book, "Ghost In The Criminal Justice Machine: Reform, White Supremacy and an Abolitionist Future," and why the urgency to reimagine the criminal justice system is now. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.2025-05-1317 min
This Is Actually HappeningWhat if you wrote your way out of prison?Cultivating rage as a solution to inherited trauma, a young man commits murder over a five-dollar dispute, but once in prison, he devotes his life to liberation from systems of oppression and the jailor within himself. Today’s episode featured Emile Suotonye DeWeaver. If you’d like to contact Emile, please email him at emiledwriter@gmail.com or find him on social media: Substack: @reframeconsults Instagram: @emilesuotonyedeweaver Bluesky: Bluesky LinkedIn: LinkedInEmile’s first book, Ghost in the Criminal Justice Mach...2025-05-131h 15
KPFA - Law & Disorder w/ Cat BrooksReform, White Supremacy, and an Abolitionist Future w/ Emile Suotonye DeWeaverDespite reform efforts that have grown in scope and intensity over the last two decades, the machine of American mass incarceration continues to flourish. In this hour, we’re joined by formerly incarcerated activist, essayist, and organizer Emile Suotonye DeWeaver, discussing his book Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine, reflecting on his 21 years of incarceration, what it took for him to seek release, and what it means for him to challenge the white supremacy that shows up in parole boards, police unions, prison administrations, and more.
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Subscribe to this podcast: https://plinkhq.com/i/1637968343?to=page2025-04-2951 min
Seize the Moment PodcastEmile Suotonye DeWeaver - The Near Enemy of Justice: Dismantling Mass Incarceration | STM Podcast #238On episode 238, welcome Emile DeWeaver to discuss reforming the US criminal justice system, the lack of a systematic understanding of crime in most rehabilitation programs, white supremacy as a version of the human tendency to dominate, the “near enemy” of incremental change, the roots of US policing and the need for a collective mind to replace it, the struggle with assimilation for formerly incarcerated people, the importance of clarity and courage for social justice, and why Emile’s book is just the beginning of deeper work which should include strengthening our imaginations. Emile Suotonye DeWeaver is a former...2025-04-271h 03
Sad FranciscoThe Norway Model for California Prisons f/ Emile Suotonye DeWeaverGavin Newsom is soft-launching his presidential campaign with his "California model" of prisons as a centerpiece. Emile Suotonye DeWeaver on how Newsom's attempt to mimic the "Norway model" of imprisonment will affect the biggest single prison system in the world. Re:Frame | Emile Suotonye DeWeaver Gavin Newsom's Prison Reform Isn't Progress - It's a 'Near Enemy' (The Appeal) Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) Prison Closure Roadmap Support Sad Francisco and find links to our past episodes on Patreon.2023-12-0729 min
AWM Author TalksEpisode 136: Caits Meissner & Nicole Shawan JuniorThis week, Caits Meissner and Nicole Shawan Junior discuss their contributions to The Sentences That Create Us: Crafting A Writer’s Life in Prison. They are joined by Alicia Brown.The following conversation originally took place May 15, 2022 and was recorded live at the American Writers Festival.AWM PODCAST NETWORK HOMEMore about The Sentences That Create Us:The Sentences That Create Us provides a road map for incarcerated people and their allies to have a thriving writing life behind bars—and shared beyond the walls—that draws on the unique insights of more...2023-03-2749 min
The Art of AccomplishmentEmile DeWeaver — Life After Murder: On Fear, Freedom, and IdentityAt the age of eighteen — just before the birth of his child — Emile began serving a life sentence for murder. In this episode, Emile tells us how he came to face the fear that drove him to kill a man, and which followed him into prison. He shares how he learned to love himself and see through an identity that might have otherwise imprisoned him in yet another manner. After finding inner freedom, Emile eventually wrote his way out from behind bars as well: his sentence was commuted in 2017 after serving twenty-one years, a testament to his journey and tran...2022-06-1048 minThe Art of AccomplishmentEmile DeWeaver — Life After Murder: On Fear, Freedom, and IdentityAt the age of eighteen — just before the birth of his child — Emile began serving a life sentence for murder. In this episode, Emile tells us how he came to face the fear that drove him to kill a man, and which followed him into prison. He shares how he learned to love himself and see through an identity that might have otherwise imprisoned him in yet another manner. After finding inner freedom, Emile eventually wrote his way out from behind bars as well: his sentence was commuted in 2017 after serving twenty-one years, a testament to his journey and tran...2022-06-1048 min
The Underground Writing PodcastKite 2: Zoe Mullery of Brothers in PenKITE: A. A NOTE PASSED FROM AN INMATE TO AN INMATE IN ANOTHER CELL OR TO A GUARD B. UNDERGROUND WRITING’S AUDIO ZINE FEATURING STUDENT WRITINGThis episode features six pieces of writing from Brothers in Pen, the creative writing class at San Quentin State Prison.Kenny Brydon, short story, "A Course in Reconciliation"Emile DeWeaver, memoir, "Crumbling Brick Dreams" from Brothers in Pen: The Ninth Annual Public ReadingRahsaan Thomas, short story, "Recycled"Udukobraye Pela, short story, "My Momma's Baby" from Pens Up, Don...2019-05-1314 min
Life of the LawInside San Quentin - MoonlightWhat would men in prison say, if we just listened? This week, Life of the Law presents a new INSIDE SAN QUENTIN episode - conversations inside San Quentin produced exclusively by men incarcerated inside the prison.
We have laptops and can watch just about any movie or series anytime we want. Prisoners have access to some tv and select movies approved by the prison, but not all movies and, up until recently, not Moonlight, winner of the 2017 Academy Award for Best Picture. One day after watching the movie on my laptop, I described it to a couple of men, scene...2018-03-061h 14
HeavyweightEar Hustle: CelliesPublished on 14 Jun 2017. At San Quentin Prison, the typical cell measures approximately 4’ x 9’ and contains a bunk bed, toilet, sink, two men, and their six cubic feet of belongings. In our first episode of Ear Hustle, hear stories of negotiating this space and the relationships that come with living in such close quarters. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor, Antwan Williams and Earlonne Woods. Thanks to additional storytellers in this episode: Ron Self (had cellie from hell), Eddie and Emile DeWeaver (brother cellies), Cleo Cloeman (Earlonne's former cellie), Sha Wallace-Stepter & Donte Smith (laughing cellies). Thanks also to Joshua Burton and...2018-01-0700 minLife of the Law125: A Whole 'nother World - San Quentin Live (2017 Holiday Rebroadcast)On Saturday night, Dec 5, 2015 more than 200 people filled the pews of the Catholic chapel inside San Quentin State Prison for a first-ever uncensored storytelling event behind the prison walls. Together, inmates and volunteers, officers and staff gathered to hear stories about the all-too-secret, often misunderstood community that sustains each of them inside and outside the prison walls.
For two storytellers, Troy Williams and Watani Stiner, the night would be the first time they would return to San Quentin after being released a year earlier following decades as inmates.
Like those in the audience for Live @ San Quentin, this special episode...2017-12-271h 03Life of the LawTraditionsTraditions. We all have them. Some good and, well, some not so good. Think for a minute. When you were a kid, what were your holiday traditions? Do you still follow some of them today? Put up lights? Bake special cookies or visit relatives? What if the law makes it impossible to follow your traditions?
More than two million Americans will spend the holidays locked up in a jail or prison. In the Bay Area, volunteers spend a few hours inside San Quentin State Prison's cell blocks singing holiday songs with the men. It's an annual tradition.
What's it like...2017-12-1241 min
Ear HustleLooking OutThe need to nurture and show love for another living being (or, in San Quentin parlance, “looking out”) is an essential human impulse. Away from your family and friends in prison this can be difficult, if not impossible. Sure, guys create strong bonds among themselves that help to alleviate the pain of missing family. But like on the outside, some people inside just relate better to animals than people.Thanks to Rauch (aka Ronell Draper) for sharing his story, and to the guys who contributed to the Yard Talk segments in this episode: Jovon Mills, Kao Chung, Henr...2017-07-1223 minLife of the Law110: In StudioWhat does color of skin have to do with equal access to justice in America? The Equal Protection Clause, part of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution which took effect in 1868, provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws." In 2017 America, does every person have equal protection under the law, or not?
Over the past month, Life of the Law presented Sarah Marshall's two part report on the life and execution of Warren McCleskey.
Unequal Protection Part 1
Unequal Protection Part 2
Warren McCleskey was a black man living in Georgia. He w...2017-06-0251 min