Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars

In today's episode, Tony and Sonny dive into the unique challenges and surprising solutions for maintaining health and fitness while incarcerated. From the humorous yet revealing story of Tony’s pre-prison weight gain to the rigorous workout routines that helped them stay fit, this episode offers a raw and insightful look at prison life through the lens of health and wellness.

Tony and Sonny kick off the episode by discussing the topic of health and fitness in prison. Tony shares his personal story of weight gain before entering prison, humorously describing himself as "Hamburger Healthy" at 222 pounds. This sets the stage for a deeper conversation about how they both managed to stay fit during their time behind bars.

The "31 Down" Pushup Challenge. Sonny details this grueling pushup routine that starts with 31 pushups and decreases by one each set, totaling 500 pushups. The hosts emphasize the importance of consistent fitness routines, sharing insights on various exercises like pushups, pull-ups, and burpees that helped them stay in shape.

Sonny recounts how he found a group to work out with and the benefits of having workout partners. He shares stories about Big Mike, an imposing yet friendly inmate, who introduced him to intense burpee workouts. These anecdotes provide a glimpse into the camaraderie and support systems that form within prison walls.

The discussion then shifts to the creative cooking methods inmates use to prepare their meals. Tony and Sonny talk about how they managed to cook their meals using limited resources and contraptions. From making stir-fry and chicken soup to grilling cheese with irons, their stories highlight the ingenuity and resourcefulness required to maintain a healthy diet in prison.

Maintaining fitness post-prison is another crucial topic covered in this episode. Tony and Sonny offer advice on staying fit after release and discuss how the discipline learned in prison helps in the outside world. Tony shares his journey from gaining weight before prison to achieving a fit physique and how he maintains it post-release. They stress the importance of having a fitness routine to fall back on once outside, given the numerous distractions and pressures.

Today marks a special episode as we introduce our new co-host, Sonny. Sonny’s story is one of unexpected turns, legal battles, and the harsh realities of prison life. This episode delves deep into his experiences, providing an eye-opening look at the journey from freedom to incarceration.

We kick off the episode with Sonny reflecting on the day he received an envelope that would change his life. The indictment came two and a half years after his business had already been shut down by the government. Despite having no prior criminal history, Sonny found himself facing serious charges related to his business operations.

Sonny discusses the emotional turmoil and confusion that followed the indictment. With no previous run-ins with the law, he was unprepared for the legal nightmare that ensued. Over the next two years, Sonny navigated court dates, legal fees, and the constant stress of an uncertain future. He explains how the government’s case was riddled with inaccuracies and fabrications, yet the burden of proof was on him.

The anticipation of his sentencing was filled with hope and fear. Sonny’s lawyer assured him that the worst-case scenario would be home confinement or community service. However, the reality was far more devastating. In court, the judge’s unexpected harshness led to Sonny receiving a sentence of a year and a day in federal prison. The judge’s cryptic and prejudiced remarks added to the shock and disappointment.

Sonny details the surreal experience of self-surrendering to Atwater Federal Prison. From his last meal at Carl’s Jr. to the moment the prison doors closed behind him, Sonny shares the visceral emotions and thoughts that raced through his mind. He describes the intake process, the dehumanizing strip search, and the adjustment to prison life.

Inside Atwater, Sonny was placed in a low-security camp adjacent to a maximum-security facility. He recalls the challenges of adapting to the prison environment, including the strict routines, the fluorescent floodlights that never turned off, and the community of inmates divided by race and car assignments.

One of the most memorable aspects of Sonny’s first night was his bunkmate, Eugene, a deeply religious man who would call out goodnight to every inmate each evening. This peculiar ritual, though unsettling at first, became a part of Sonny’s nightly routine.

Throughout the episode, Sonny’s resilience and determination shine through. Despite the overwhelming odds and the harsh conditions, he found ways to maintain his sanity and dignity. His story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of perseverance.

Join us for this compelling episode as Sonny’s journey unfolds, shedding light on the personal impact of the criminal justice system. Stay tuned for more episodes where we continue to explore the intricate realities of life behind bars.

We go into the turbulent life of Henry, who descended from a promising student to a life entangled in crime. Raised by a single mother and influenced by a lack of a male role model, Henry's journey from an academically gifted child to a participant in drug sales and petty crimes shows what happens when you hang out with the wrong crowd.

Highlights:

• Henry shares his early years marked by high academic achievements and the pressures of living up to the expectations of a Christian Asian family.
• The sudden responsibility of fending for himself and his mother, grappling with economic hardships and cultural adjustments after moving from Taiwan
• The pivotal moment during high school when Henry began associating with the wrong crowd, leading to his involvement with drugs and eventually dropping out of school.
• His first brush with the law at 18, which emboldened him rather than deterring his activities due to a lack of severe repercussions.
• Henry describes various encounters with law enforcement, including being set up by an undercover officer in a scenario reminiscent of "21 Jump Street."
• The escalation from marijuana to harder substances, marked by increasingly risky behaviors including armed robbery and dealing with larger amounts of drugs.
• Henry reflects on the numerous times he narrowly escaped more severe legal consequences, attributing some to sheer luck and others to minor technicalities.
• The impact of his actions on his personal relationships and how his criminal activities eventually caught up with him, leading to significant life changes.
• Insight into Henry’s moments of realization about the need for change, spurred by the harsh realities of jail time and the loss of freedom.
• His current efforts to rebuild his life and the lessons he hopes to pass on to others about the consequences of choices made in youth.

Henry’s candid recount of his descent into criminal activities provides a poignant look at the consequences of societal pressures, the search for identity, and the long road to redemption. His story is a stark reminder of how quickly life can spiral out of control and the importance of guidance and positive role models in the lives of young people.

Welcome to "Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars," the podcast where former inmates discuss their experiences and insights from prison life. In this episode, Tony, Sam, Tay, and Zo share powerful stories from their time behind bars, exploring themes of friendship, justice, and personal growth.

Life Inside Prison:
The hosts recount their first meeting in Morgantown prison and describe the unique bond they formed through shared experiences. They delve into daily life, the challenges faced, and the unusual incidents that occur behind bars, including encounters with wildlife and prison food woes.

The Psychological Impact:
Sam discusses the profound mental and emotional toll of imprisonment, reflecting on his struggles with depression and societal reintegration. The conversation highlights the stigma of being labeled a felon and how it affects relationships and professional opportunities.

Legal and Justice System Challenges:
A detailed discussion on the complexities of the justice system, focusing on plea deals and the high costs of legal defense. The hosts share personal anecdotes about the difficult choices they had to make, weighing the risk of long sentences against taking plea deals.

Rehabilitation and Personal Growth:
Insights into personal transformation experienced by the hosts during their time in prison. They discuss the concept of "kaizen" – improvement and growth, which Tony emphasizes by encouraging listeners to strive for continual personal development.

Reentry into Society:
The hosts share their experiences and challenges of reintegrating into society, including transitioning through halfway houses. They discuss the mix of characters in halfway houses, contrasting it with their time in minimum security and the additional challenges they faced.

Building New Lives:
Reflections on how their past experiences influence their current lives and aspirations. The hosts discuss their efforts to rebuild their lives, maintain old friendships, and form new ones, all while navigating the challenges that come with their pasts.

Welcome to the very first episode of Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars. In this opening episode, hosts Sam and Tony introduce themselves and their unique background of meeting in prison. Both Asian-Americans, they offer a perspective not commonly represented in discussions about the U.S. prison system. Here's what you'll find in this episode:

• Introduction to the Hosts: Learn about Sam and Tony, how they met, and why they're breaking the silence on Asian-American experiences in prison.
• Life in the Federal System: An insider's look at navigating the challenges and absurdities of prison life, from the RDAP program to the dynamics of a diverse inmate population.
• RDAP (Residential Drug Abuse Program): A deep dive into their experiences in the RDAP program, highlighting the irony of the system's approach to rehabilitation.
• Behind Bars, Beyond Stereotypes: Discussions that challenge common misconceptions about prison life, focusing on the stories of Asian inmates in a system that often overlooks them.
• Friendship and Resilience: The story of how adversity forged a strong bond between two unlikely friends and how it sustained them through their sentence and beyond.
• Humor in Hardship: From basketball leagues to unexpected bathroom etiquette, Sam and Tony share the lighter side of their prison experience.
• Looking Ahead: A brief overview of what listeners can expect from future episodes, including more stories, insights, and advice for those facing the prison system themselves.