How I Survived New Jersey State Prison | Shawn Johnson

Locked In with Ian Bick

Ian Bick

Society & Culture

4.8 • 743 Ratings

🗓️ 21 January 2026

⏱️ 98 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Shawn Johnson shares his story of growing up in poverty in New Jersey, getting pulled into street life, and eventually joining the Bloods. He breaks down how a murder charge led to a 60-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison, what it took to survive nearly two decades behind bars, and how prison life reshaped him mentally and emotionally. Shawn also opens up about the long road to freedom, the legal fight for clemency, and what it meant to finally walk out of prison after 19 years, when he was granted clemency by the governor in 2025. _____________________________________________ #PrisonStories #TrueCrime #NewJerseyPrison #SurvivingPrison #LifeBehindBars #RealStories #CrimeDocumentary #youtubepodcast _____________________________________________ Thank you to PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! _____________________________________________ Connect with Shawn Johnson: YouTube: Shawn Robert Johnson TikTok & Instagram: shawjohn1222 _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Shawn’s Case Overview & What Led to 19 Years in Prison 02:22 Growing Up in New Jersey: Childhood & Early Influences 09:05 Juvenile Charges, Family Struggles & Early Warning Signs 18:00 From Trouble to the Streets: Choices That Changed Everything 24:45 The Incident, Arrest & Facing Serious Charges 36:13 Trial, Sentencing & Life in County Jail 43:41 Arriving in Prison: Survival, Routine & Reality Shock 48:01 Daily Life in Prison: Politics, Social Dynamics & Rules 55:04 Avoiding Trouble, Growing Up & Mental Survival 01:00:01 Appeals, Legal Setbacks & Holding Onto Hope 01:08:05 Rehabilitation, Programs & Preparing for Release 01:15:15 COVID in Prison & a Major Legal Turning Point 01:20:32 Clemency Explained: Application, Review & Approval 01:25:11 Coming Home After 19 Years in Prison 01:28:18 Life Lessons, Advice & Final Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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