FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You're not the first to be curious
Can incarcerated people listen to Uncuffed?
Yes! Uncuffed is available for free on the Edovo platform, on tablets in over 1000 jails and prisons in North America. Within CDCR, the Uncuffed Podcast and Uncuffed Personal Stories are also available on the free podcast app on tablets.
Can I be interviewed on Uncuffed?
We focus on interviewing currently incarcerated people.
All our guests are either residents of one of the prisons where we work, or alums of our program.
You can pitch other KALW programs by emailing news@kalw.org.
All our guests are either residents of one of the prisons where we work, or alums of our program.
You can pitch other KALW programs by emailing news@kalw.org.
Are Uncuffed programs censored?
All Uncuffed content coming out of a prison has to be approved by a Public Information Officer at that institution. We stay away from foul language, accusations that can’t be backed up, and anything that would get someone in trouble or could endanger anyone. In practice, we are very rarely asked to take anything out of the program.
I’m a returned resident. Are there opportunities to work with Uncuffed?
Join our Returned Resident Email List to learn about opportunities with Uncuffed, and other organizations in California. Mt. Tamalpais College maintains a list of resources for re-entry, especially in California.
How can I support people in prison?
There are so many ways! You can become a penpal, volunteer in prison, donate books, join an advocacy group, or support in-prison programs like Uncuffed.
Are you connected to Ear Hustle?
We're close cousins! The podcast Ear Hustle was created by two early Uncuffed participants in San Quentin, Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams, along with artist Nigel Poor, who volunteered for the KALW program in its early days.
Ear Hustle and Uncuffed are part of separate organizations, but have stayed close ever since. Uncuffed and Ear Hustle collaborated to create a podcast studio and training program at CIW women’s prison.
Ear Hustle and Uncuffed are part of separate organizations, but have stayed close ever since. Uncuffed and Ear Hustle collaborated to create a podcast studio and training program at CIW women’s prison.
How can I collaborate with incarcerated journalists for an op-ed or news story?
Check out Empowerment Avenue and the Prison Journalism Project. For a story about Uncuffed or Uncuffed alumni, contact us here.
What’s the difference between the Uncuffed podcast, Uncuffed Personal Stories, and the Uncuffed Playlist?
The Uncuffed podcast, hosted by our participants at San Quentin and Solano prisons, is a showcase of great stories from our audio storytelling program, surrounded by thoughtful roundtable conversations. Podcast episodes are usually around 30-45 minutes. Between the larger episodes, which come out every other week during each season, there are shorter “My Mixtape” episodes where Uncuffed participants talk about a favorite song. The Uncuffed podcast can be heard in any podcast player (search “Uncuffed”) and here on our website.
Uncuffed Personal Stories are interviews with incarcerated people, conducted and edited by participants in our programs. They’re usually around 5 to 8 minutes, and they air as part of the KALW radio show Crosscurrents, hosted by Hana Baba. These stories can be heard on KALW 91.7fm in the Bay Area, at KALW.org, and here on our website.
A selection of Uncuffed Personal Stories end up on our podcast, but most don’t.
The Uncuffed Playlist is our music radio program, hosted by student DJs in Solano Prison. It is the first music radio show in California hosted by incarcerated people and available to the public. DJs choose an hour of their favorite music related to a theme of their choice, and talk about what the songs mean to them.
You can hear the Uncuffed Playlist on KALW 91.7fm in the Bay Area on Fridays and Saturdays at midnight, and here on Spotify. Spotify subscribers will hear complete songs, non-subscribers will hear 30 second samples of the songs. But all listeners will hear the DJs recorded “breaks” between sets, where they tell personal stories related to the themes of the music.
Uncuffed Personal Stories are interviews with incarcerated people, conducted and edited by participants in our programs. They’re usually around 5 to 8 minutes, and they air as part of the KALW radio show Crosscurrents, hosted by Hana Baba. These stories can be heard on KALW 91.7fm in the Bay Area, at KALW.org, and here on our website.
A selection of Uncuffed Personal Stories end up on our podcast, but most don’t.
The Uncuffed Playlist is our music radio program, hosted by student DJs in Solano Prison. It is the first music radio show in California hosted by incarcerated people and available to the public. DJs choose an hour of their favorite music related to a theme of their choice, and talk about what the songs mean to them.
You can hear the Uncuffed Playlist on KALW 91.7fm in the Bay Area on Fridays and Saturdays at midnight, and here on Spotify. Spotify subscribers will hear complete songs, non-subscribers will hear 30 second samples of the songs. But all listeners will hear the DJs recorded “breaks” between sets, where they tell personal stories related to the themes of the music.
Where can I find my loved one’s story?
Search for their name on the Listen page.
Who supports Uncuffed?
Uncuffed is a program of KALW Public Media in San Francisco. We are supported by the state of California, and grants from foundations including Unlikely Collaborators. Our listeners also make a critical difference in providing operating support. Make a monthly donation to join The Uncuffed Circle, our team of outside supporters.
I want to volunteer or work with Uncuffed. Where do I apply?
Thanks so much for your interest! Please fill out our form here and we’ll keep you posted about opportunities.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes. Uncuffed is a program of KALW Public Media, a San Francisco-based non profit organization with the tax ID 84-3580297.
What is the Uncuffed Circle?
The Uncuffed Circle is a membership program for Uncuffed super fans and supporters.
Members get access to free virtual and live events, and behind-the-scenes extras.
Make a monthly or annual gift to join the Uncuffed Circle.
The minimum gift is $5 per month ($60 per year) but we encourage you to give at whatever level feels meaningful.
By joining the Uncuffed Circle, you make a sustained commitment to empowering incarcerated people to tell their stories. What’s more, when you join the Uncuffed Circle, you also become a KALW Member, supporting KALW’s broader mission to inform listeners, connect the diverse communities of the Bay Area, and help train the next generation of media makers.
You’ll learn about new initiatives at KALW, like the launch of the People’s Studio, where we will invite formerly incarcerated individuals to amplify their stories as part of our growing Uncuffed program.
Current KALW members are eligible to join the Uncuffed Circle and should reach out to membership@kalw.org to be added.
Join today!
Members get access to free virtual and live events, and behind-the-scenes extras.
Make a monthly or annual gift to join the Uncuffed Circle.
The minimum gift is $5 per month ($60 per year) but we encourage you to give at whatever level feels meaningful.
By joining the Uncuffed Circle, you make a sustained commitment to empowering incarcerated people to tell their stories. What’s more, when you join the Uncuffed Circle, you also become a KALW Member, supporting KALW’s broader mission to inform listeners, connect the diverse communities of the Bay Area, and help train the next generation of media makers.
You’ll learn about new initiatives at KALW, like the launch of the People’s Studio, where we will invite formerly incarcerated individuals to amplify their stories as part of our growing Uncuffed program.
Current KALW members are eligible to join the Uncuffed Circle and should reach out to membership@kalw.org to be added.
Join today!
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The Uncuffed podcast is a showcase for personal stories and deep roundtable conversations with the incarcerated Uncuffed producers.
