If you haven't been listening to Ear Hustle, you've been missing out. Ear Hustle is an award winning podcast about life in San Quentin prison in California, and is the first podcast to be created entirely inside a prison. Back in September 2017, the season one episode ‘Left Behind‘ detailed the story of Curtis Roberts. Curtis was sentenced under California’s controversial three-strikes law, which gives life in prison to anyone convicted of three crimes. Curtis was convicted of three non-violent burglaries, the last of which involved him stealing two $20 bills from a cash register. For the crime of stealing $40, Curtis was sentenced to life in prison, with a non-parole period of 50 years.
Publicity from his Ear Hustle interview has, thankfully, led to an outpouring of community sympathy. After serving 29 years in prison, then Governor of California Jerry Brown commuted Curtis’ sentence in December 2018. Curtis is now living in a half-way home for released prisoners in San Fransisco. Earlier this month, a GoFundMe account was set up to help get Curtis out of the half-way home and back on his feet. You can donate to that fund by clicking here.
Update: I’m pleased to announce that the GoFundMe account for Curtis reached its goal and has now closed. Thanks to everyone who supported the campaign.