Episode Details

What happens when a writer steps into a prison and discovers more than just stories behind bars? In this episode author and educator Jim Reese shares vivid stories and hard lessons from more than a decade working with incarcerated men.

In a world obsessed with punishment over understanding, this episode dives deep into the transformative power of writing in places most people never dare to go. If you’ve ever wondered whether creativity can truly change lives—on both sides of the prison walls—this conversation offers surprising answers.

• Discover how inmates find their voices and reconnect with family and humanity through storytelling.
• Hear how teaching in prisons reshaped Jim Reese’s understanding of justice, redemption, and the role of an artist.
• Learn why authentic connection, vulnerability, and purpose can break barriers even in the most rigid environments.

Tune in explore how the written word is transforming lives and shifting mindsets—inside and outside the prison system.

* A "kite" In prison slang, a term for a written note or message. It's a way for inmates to communicate with each other or staff, especially when direct verbal communication is restricted. The term likely originated from the way inmates would attach folded notes to strings and "fly" them between cells, resembling a kite. 

Notable Mentions

Here’s a list of the people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in the show with hyperlinks for more in-depth information:

People

Jim Reese: An American poet, professor, and advocate for arts in corrections. He is the Associate Professor of English at Mount Marty University and has taught creative writing at the Yankton Federal Prison Camp.

David Sedaris: A renowned humorist and author known for his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques. Jim Reese had the opportunity to open for Sedaris during a live performance.

Kyle Roberson: Supervisor of Education at Yankton Federal Prison Camp who collaborated with Jim Reese on the prison’s creative writing program.

Marquise Bowie: An inmate participant in the creative writing program at Yankton Federal Prison Camp who credited the program with aiding his healing process.

2. Events

Jim Reese Opening for David Sedaris: In October 2023, Jim Reese opened for David Sedaris at the Orpheum Theater Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A Decade of Learning at Federal Prison Camp Yankton: Celebrating Jim Reese’s ten years of teaching creative writing at the Yankton Federal Prison Camp, highlighting the impact of arts in corrections.

3. Organizations

Mount Marty University: A Catholic liberal arts university in Yankton, South Dakota, where Jim Reese serves as Associate Professor of English.