12 Hours on the Yard

Ear Hustle

Ear Hustle & Radiotopia

Documentary, Society & Culture

4.9 • 21.6K Ratings

🗓️ 6 September 2023

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Inspired by the classic This American Life episode “24 Hours at the Golden Apple,” the Ear Hustle team documents one day in the life of San Quentin’s lower yard, from Haka dancing to dominoes; gospel to geese; and weight-lifting to waiting to get out.

Big thanks to Acting Warden Oak Smith and Lt. Guim'Mara Berry at San Quentin State Prison, and Acting Warden Molly Hill and Lt. William Newborg at the California Institution for Women for their support of the show.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is my voice. It can tell you a lot about me and I'm not changing it for
0:07.0	anyone. In NPR's Black Stories, Black Truths, you'll find a collection of NPR
0:13.1	episodes centered on the Black experience. Search NPR Black Stories, Black
0:18.8	Truths, Wherever You Get Podcasts.
0:27.2	Attention to Leroy. This is Officer Jay Azavilo. This episode of
0:35.3	Universal contains language and content that may not be suitable for all
0:41.3	listeners. Discretion is advised.
0:48.8	So it's like six o'clock and we just walked through the gate and the
1:05.4	sun's already up. It's the earliest I've ever been in here. I have no idea what
1:12.4	the art's gonna look like. I think there's gonna be anyone down there.
1:19.5	Right now the yard is totally empty. It's peaceful. It's just quiet. You know that
1:27.0	people are probably looking at you but you don't see them. Yeah that's true.
1:31.6	They're looking down at you wondering what you're doing.
1:36.2	We got one guy coming across the field now, right? Good morning. Are you the first
1:42.6	person on the yard? I don't know. I don't know. I have a duck for a six o'clock.
1:47.6	Oh, what's your name? Louis. Louis. Do you know time in this Louis? Maybe six,
1:52.5	15, six, 20, something. Is it usually this quiet, six, 15? Yeah they're gonna start
1:56.6	serving breakfast real soon. It's actually kind of peaceful right now. Yeah it is right now.
2:01.3	We think of the view up there. Oh that's tiny. It looks real good but on not from
2:10.2	here. Not from here. Is it tormenting you? Yeah no. I really don't even pay
2:16.8	attention. Oh okay. Well thanks for talking to me. Yes, now you guys have a good day. Bye.
2:27.7	Good morning. Good morning. How are you guys? Good you going to work? What's in your bag?
	...

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