AFTER LIFE | Episode 4 The Penpal The untold story of how a group of incarcerated men reshaped rehabilitation in California

Welcome to Season Two: AFTER LIFE

Art by Mara J. Reynolds for Gray Area

PODCAST | Go to all current episodes

Gilbert’s younger brother Manny, who is also in prison, isn’t doing well. He’s deeply involved in prison gang “politics” and has spent years in the SHU — full-time solitary confinement. It’s taking a severe toll on Manny’s mental health. Saddened but knowing how dangerous isolation can be, Gilbert decides to do something about his own loneliness. He puts his name and picture on a prison penpal site, and wonders if anyone will write back.

LEARN MORE |

Season One’s episode “Lou” about life in the Pelican Bay SHU

Sign up for our newsletter: we’ll share exclusive content and links. 

Follow us on social media:
@GrayAreaPodcast on Facebook and Instagram
@GrayAreaAudio on Twitter


Oh and hey — if you like Gray Area and AFTER LIFE, please be sure to rate or review it on Apple Podcasts. It helps us reach more people.

Art by Mara J. Reynolds

Julie Reynolds

About Julie Reynolds

Julie Reynolds is a freelance journalist who has reported for the Center for Investigative Reporting, The Nation, NPR, PBS, The Imprint, The NewsGuild and other outlets. She is a co-founder of Voices of Monterey Bay and associate editor at The Imprint.