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Humor As Medicine: Aging And Compassion In Prison

Photo of Cooper
ForwardThis Productions
Gary Cooper, 73, at San Quentin State Prison, has applied unsuccessfully for compassionate release.

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.

Today on Uncuffed, the story of someone who deals with his many ailments with the help of compassionate caretakers, and a good dose of humor.

Humor is, for real, medicine in here...prison is the darkest place I've ever been in in my life, next to juvenile hall, of course. There's so much suffering in here that to be able to laugh is like a superpower.
Thanh Tran

This piece was brought to you from the team at Uncuffed. Our work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The producers fact-check content to the best of their ability. Content is approved by an information officer.

Follow @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Learn more, and DONATE during our emergency fundraiser: www.WeAreUncuffed.org.

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Uncuffed From The Producers Of Uncuffed
Thanh Tran is a media-maker and journalist, raised in South Sacramento. Thanh left San Quentin in 2022, is a Senior Policy and Communications Fellow with the Ella Baker Center, and an Advisory Board member for Uncuffed.<br/>
Greg Eskridge is a founding member of the Uncuffed radio program and podcast. For over a decade in San Quentin, Greg fostered an atmosphere of professionalism and dedication which led to the program producing great content and winning numerous awards. On July 23, 2024, Greg was released from San Quentin prison after serving 30 years and 25 days. He was welcomed by family, friends, and both current and former members of the KALW team. A few months later, Greg began working full-time as Uncuffed’s first Leadership Fellow, preparing him for leadership roles in the program. Greg looks forward to continuing to elevate the voices of system-impacted individuals.
Thomas "Shakur" Ross is a producer of KALW's Uncuffed, presenting stories that show the humanity of incarcerated people.
Edmond Richardson is a producer with KALW's Uncuffed.
Uncuffed
Stories from inside California prisons