Uncuffed

Season 4, Ep. 7 - Home Cooking

By Uncuffed,

Greg Eskridge, Anthony Gomez, Jeremy Strain, Vincent O'Bannon, Ryan Pagan, Keyna Osorio

Published May 8, 2025 at 6:17 AM PDT

Ways To Subscribe

Greg Eskridge visits his family for his first Thanksgiving in over 30 years.

It’s no secret that the food inside prison is – to put it mildly – not great. That’s why folks often daydream about memorable meals from their pasts, and find creative ways to make their own food inside their cells. Today on the episode, host Greg Eskridge goes to his first Thanksgiving dinner in over 30 years. We’ll hear about the magic of a shared meal and how it can bridge divides in and outside of prison.

Our work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, independent foundations, and donations from listeners like you.

Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.uncuffed.org

Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram and Facebook

Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed

Tags

Uncuffed From The Producers Of UncuffedPersonal Stories

Uncuffed

Stories from inside California prisons

Greg Eskridge

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.

See stories by Greg Eskridge

Anthony Gomez

Anthony Gomez is a film producer with Forward This Productions at San Quentin. He is passionate about storytelling and sees Uncuffed as another avenue to grow and develop in. Anthony hopes to have an impact on the false narratives surrounding people that are incarcerated. He's been incarcerated since the age of 18 and knows the transformation people can have when given opportunity and empowerment.

See stories by Anthony Gomez

Jeremy Strain

Jeremy Strain has been incarcerated for 18 years and never thought he'd be where he's at today, working with media and pro-social skills in the San Quentin Media Center. The media center has been his utopia, where's experienced growth, impact, strength, confidence, and communication. His experiences in the media center have given Jeremy the education and wisdom to to build his career dreams and goals. Aside from Uncuffed, Jeremy works with Forward This Productions. He has been apart of the rehabilitation remodeling program with Gavin Newsom, custody staff, non-profits, and visitors from all over the world. He lives by the words, "be positive, stay humble, and make impact."

See stories by Jeremy Strain

Vincent O'Bannon

Vincent O'Bannon is the photographer for San Quentin News, Chairman of the Big House Fitness Program, General Manager of the SQ Niners Flag Football Academy, Facilitator for AIDA (a domestic violence prevention program), and co-founder of the Concrete Rose Truck Driver Training Program. As an activist aiming to promote social justice from within, he also works as a member of San Quentin's Civic Engagement Group.

See stories by Vincent O'Bannon

Ryan Pagan

Ryan C. Pagan is a storyteller and multimedia producer raised in Riverside, California. He is currently the Program Lead of Forward This Productions at San Quentin State Prison. Ryan believes in changing society's perceptions of incarcerated people, and works to provide opportunities to at-risk youth.

See stories by Ryan Pagan

Keyna Osorio

See stories by Keyna Osorio