Prison Pen Pal Podcast

Catfished Behind Bars - Could Cops Be Using the GettingOut App Pretending to be Underage?

Jason Evick is currently serving time at the Toledo Correctional Institution in Ohio for a violent crime. In Ohio and many other states, inmates have access to an app called GettingOut, which allows them to receive emails directly on their prison tablets. While this technology can significantly enhance communication with pen pals outside, it also carries potential risks. When we think about prison inmates and catfishing, the typical assumption is that the inmate is the one deceiving others—fabricating details about their age, crime, appearance, release date, or even their name. However, in an eye-opening episode of our podcast, Jason Evick reveals a startling twist: it's often free-world pen pals who are the ones lying to inmates. He recounts a chilling encounter where someone possibly from a child exploitation task force reached out to him, posing as a 16-year-old boy passionate about mixed martial arts. The boy reassured Evick, saying, "Don't worry, my parents know I'm talking to you and they're okay with it." This is just one of many unsettling examples of catfishing that Evick experienced in prison. This episode serves as a crucial warning for anyone with a loved one behind bars using the GTL GettingOut App or similar messaging services. The truth is, pen pals in the free world may not always be who they claim to be. If something feels off, trust your instincts. Stay informed and protect those you care about. To learn more about Jason, including his current contact info, visit https://penpals.buzz/inmate/jason-evick/ Want to share your story on a future episode? Email podcast@penpals.buzz or leave us a voice message at https://penpalpodcast.com

Serial Killer Pen Pal: DeWayne Lee Harris

In the 1990s, DeWayne Lee Harris was responsible for the tragic deaths of multiple women, earning infamy in the Seattle, Washington area under chilling monikers such as Chilly Willy, The Seattle Jungle Killer, and The Seattle Shoelace Slasher. His heinous acts included tying up victims like Denise Marie Harris and Antoinette Jones with their own shoelaces, ultimately strangling them with a belt. His third known victim, Olivia Smith, met a similarly grim fate, being stabbed to death. Disturbingly, Harris has hinted at the possibility of an additional 32 murders. Fast forward nearly 30 years of incarceration, and this notorious serial killer is now seeking connection through PenPals.Buzz, hoping to find a pen pal who will engage with him through handwritten letters. In this exclusive interview on the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Dewayne Lee Harris claims to have turned his life around, sharing insights into his troubled past marked by abuse and drug addiction, which he argues played a significant role in his violent behavior. He talks about the positive changes he has made, the books he is writing, and his desire to help others improve their lives. One day, he hopes to be recognized as a human being, as a father, and as an author who shared his story to help others avoid a similar fate. Only time will tell. Learn more at PenPals.Buzz [https://penpals.buzz/inmate/dewayne-lee-harris/] or write to Dewayne Lee Harris #908867 at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center in Washington.

Jason Kurtz's Fitness and Wisdom

Jason Kurtz is a PenPals.Buzz [https://penpals.buzz] member who lives and loves fitness. He remembers his first workout at the age of 11; since then, he never looked back. Over the past 30+ years, Jason has managed over 15 gyms, has worked for companies that sell fitness equipment, and even got arrested and sent to prison due to his involvement with a supplement he encountered during his fitness journey. In this episode, Jason Kurtz explains the important connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind, and shares suggestions for how to maximize one's fitness and health both in and out of prison. He talks about why prison workout equipment has improved so much in the past several years, and why he thinks Wisconsin inmates are more focused on health and fitness than they've ever been before. Some of Jason's tips include: start slow, be consistent, do everything in moderation, and treat your body the way you'd treat a new Lamborghini. He also shares details about his Miracle Workout, a system that took him over 20 years to develop and perfect. This workout is available for free on his YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOsG6JoTxsY] and is recommended for incarcerated and free-world men and women. Learn more about Jason at https://jasonkurtz.bio.link [https://jasonkurtz.bio.link/] Do you know an incarcerated man or woman who might like a pen pal? Sign up at https://penpals.buzz/submit-profile [https://penpals.buzz/submit-profile]. To be a guest on our show, contact the Prison Pen Pal Podcast at podcast@penpals.buzz [podcast@penpals.buzz] or by phone at 888.273.6725. Listen to all episodes at https://penpalpodcast.com [https://penpalpodcast.com]

Jacobi Thornsberry: Conversation with an Oregon Inmate

Jacobi Thornsberry’s journey began in the vibrant streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. Seeking an escape from the bustling chaos of the city, he made the leap to Oregon. However, fate had other plans, and within three years, he found himself behind bars in an Oregon prison. Loneliness settled in, and the thought of finding a meaningful connection crossed his mind. He considered WriteAPrisoner.com as a way to meet that special someone. But then there was the enigmatic "Baby Gua," a mysterious figure in the dayroom, who steered him towards PenPals.Buzz instead. In this captivating episode, Jacobi, a 31-year-old spiritual black "adult in custody," opens up about his life in prison. He shares how he strives each day to nurture his physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, challenging himself to learn something new daily. He’ll also reveal the qualities he hopes to find in a partner through our pen pal platform. And as a devoted father, he talks about his relationship with his 11-year-old daughter, who has recently started texting boys — a situation he admits is tough for him to navigate from behind bars. Learn more about Jacobi’s story at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/jacobi-thornsberry or write to: Jacobi Thornsberry #21598022 at the Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, Oregon. You can also connect with him on the GTL GettingOut App or at GettingOut.com.

Name Change in Prison: Savannah's Story

Changing your name while incarcerated is impossible in some states, and quite easy in others. There are countless reasons why someone behind bars might feel the need to legally reinvent themselves. In this episode, we’ll explore the inspiring story of Savannah Turner, formerly Gena, an incarcerated member of PenPals.Buzz. Currently incarcerated for identity theft, Savannah has moved beyond a troubled past filled with poor choices and substance abuse. Today, she seeks to shed her old name and embrace a fresh start complete with a new attitude, new goals, and new values. This episode will guide you through the process of changing your name while incarcerated, including the time it typically takes and the various motivations behind such a decision. Are most inmates seeking to escape their pasts, hide their crimes, and protect themselves from online searches? Or do they have deeper, more legitimate reasons for wanting a name change? Once an inmate has paid their debt to society, should they be given the chance to leave their past behind? Unlike some European countries that offer ex-prisoners a new identity to aid in rehabilitation, the U.S. often seems to impose a lifelong stigma on those who have already served their time. Join us for a thought-provoking 15-minute exploration into the significance (or insignificance?) of a legal name and what it truly means for those looking to rebuild their lives.