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.
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California's prison population is aging. Between 2000 and 2017, the share of incarcerated people over 50 has more than quintupled. For those with long or life sentences, watching friends aging and getting sick behind bars is a harsh reminder of what a life sentence can really mean.
On this episode of Uncuffed, we hear the story of someone who deals with his many ailments with a good dose of humor, and the help of a compassionate caretaker–his cellie.
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. -
Letter writing is an art, and the Uncuffed producers at San Quentin State Prison know that very well. At the height of the pandemic, after weeks of constant lockdowns, one of the only thing to do was write letters to friends and family.
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 June 2020, San Quentin had one of the biggest COVID-19 outbreaks in a California prison. 2,000 incarcerated people were infected, and 29 died. Two cellmates recount what it was like during that devastating time.
Thanks to Mourning Our Losses for the names of those who died of COVID at San Quentin. www.mourningourlosses.org.
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. -
Tommy "Shakur" Ross has been incarcerated for over 36 years. In those decades, he's experienced a lifetime of transformation. He discovered Islam, helped found a radio program, got a college degree, and embraced restorative justice. And a few months ago he was found suitable for parole. But getting to this moment has also been a roller coaster ride. And it's not quite over yet. On the newest Uncuffed episode, we'll hear about the twists and turns of Shakur's long parole journey and how his change has influenced others around him.
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. -
After over 20 years of incarceration, Uncuffed producer Nate McKinney is going home. Like other lifers in the system, he could have been incarcerated for life. But recently, the Board of Parole Hearings found him suitable to re-enter society. In today's episode, stories of facing the board — and wishes for a friend heading back into the big wide world.
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 -
At San Quentin State Prison, there are a variety of spaces for incarcerated people to practice their faith or spirituality. The sweat lodge serves as a space for the Native American population. -
Eldridge Leigh Yazzie is Navajo, and has been incarcerated for 27 years. Native Americans like Yazzie have the right to practice their spirituality in prison. But sometimes the rules of prison conflict with their spiritual practices. -
Some inmates say food in a prison's chow hall is tasteless and bland. But that's not the case when John Parratt — also known as Yah-Yah — is in the kitchen.
