Tommy "Shakur" Ross
Uncuffed Co-hostTommy "Shakur" Ross paroled in 2022, after being imprisoned for over 36 years. In 2012, Shakur helped launch the radio program at San Quentin, producing stories for KALW 91.7 FM in San Francisco. In 2017, Shakur received an award for Excellence in Journalism by the Northern California Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalism, of which he is a member. He also earned an AA degree in General Studies at Patten College, graduating as class valedictorian in 2019. Shakur leads Uncuffed podcasting classes for formerly incarcerated individuals, and also works for GRIP (Guiding Rage Into Power) and RJoy in Oakland. Other achievements include training and experience as a Peer Health Educator, Circle Keeper, group facilitator, mentor, event planner/organizer and Restorative Justice Practitioner.
-
UncuffedChildhood trauma, embracing differences, and putting your heart out there - what it feels like to return home after prison. A special re-entry episode of Uncuffed. -
UncuffedAn original Uncuffed producer visits prison again, this time as a free man. Tommy "Shakur" Ross shares stories and advice from almost two years of freedom. -
As part of Uncuffed’s new storytelling class for people who recently returned home from prison, participants shared stories about their complicated childhood experiences and their relationships with their own children. -
Just over a year ago, Uncuffed producer Tommy “Shakur” Ross walked out of the gates of San Quentin State Prison in a new fitted suit. He had been incarcerated for almost 37 years. Since getting out, he’s been to Norway, bought a new car, and started teaching audio storytelling to other formerly incarcerated people. We’ll hear from Shakur and his students in this Uncuffed special. -
In our previous episode, a team of formerly incarcerated producers visited a prison from another planet. Or at least that's how it seemed. Norway's progressive and unique prison system is wildly different from anything in the United States, and it serves as a model for folks trying to make a change here. So now we’re heading back to another Norwegian prison with horses, a marathon, and little cottages—and asking what California can learn from Norway's example. -
Last summer, some formerly incarcerated graduates of the Uncuffed program traveled to Norway to see how prisons work over there. What they found was something that felt very different, but in some ways, very familiar.
In the second part of the episode, Greg Eskridge from Uncuffed, Rahsaan "New York" Thomas from Ear Hustle, and Juan Haines from San Quentin News react to what they've heard. -
Last summer, the Uncuffed team was invited to the world’s first International Prison Radio Conference in Oslo, Norway. Formerly incarcerated producers and staff hopped on a plane (some for the first time in their lives), and joined other prison radio makers from countries like Australia, India, and the UK.
On this special episode of Uncuffed, we're sharing a few of our favorite pieces from around the globe.
Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.weareuncuffed.org.
Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Hear more from the shows featured in this episode:
The Secret Life of Prisons, from the UK's Prison Radio Association: www.prison.radio
Jailbreak, from the Community Restorative Centre in Australia: www.crcnsw.org.au/services/jailbreak-radio
Ear Hustle, from PRX's Radiotopia in the US: www.earhustlesq.com
Inside Wire, from Colorado Prison Radio: www.coloradoprisonradio.com
Tinka Tinka Foundation in India: www.tinkatinka.org/jail-music-2
Learn about all the programs that make up Prison Radio International: www.prison.radio/prison-radio-international -
For people in prison, the holiday season can be a painful time. Many miss their families and traditions. But it’s also a time when they get together with food and acts of kindness. During the holiday season, we're playing you a favorite episode from season one, all about making it through the holidays in prison.
Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.weareuncuffed.org
Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out, at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed -
At Folsom State Prison, Wendell El-Amin James gravitated towards incarcerated Muslims out of a need for protection. But ultimately his conversion restructured his life to one of education and purpose. Uncuffed presents a special episode from our friends at KALW podcast The Spiritual Edge.
Learn more, and donate to support the program: www.weareuncuffed.org.
Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out, at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed. -
In this season of gratitude, two founding co-hosts of Uncuffed, Tommy "Shakur" Ross and Thanh Tran, give a special update on the program.
Thank you to everyone who supported Uncuffed during our emergency fundraiser!
Learn more, and donate to support the program: www.weareuncuffed.org.
Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out, at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed.
