From Conviction to Redemption: Chris' Journey through Prison and Pardon. Sharing his experiences growing up in the San Fernando Valley, getting involved with Southsiders gang, facing multiple convictions, and enduring the harsh realities of prison life. Most inspiringly, Chris recounts his path to recovery, the support he received from friends in AA, and the arduous but ultimately successful process of obtaining a pardon from the governor. This episode sheds light on the transformative power of ...
Jan 03, 2025•42 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of the Criminal Code Podcast, host Tony along with Sam and Sonny, welcomes Bruce McNall, the man who transformed the LA Kings and famously brought Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles. Bruce recounts his fascinating journey from his early love of ancient history and numismatics, leading to a booming business in ancient coins, to his ventures in the movie and horse business. A pivotal figure in sports history, Bruce shares intriguing anecdotes about high-stakes deals, including the acquis...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 15
Tony recounts his experiences in prison, focusing on the challenges and incidents within the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). The story revolves around Tony's quest to obtain and consume peanut butter as part of his dietary routine, despite prison restrictions. This leads to a series of risky exchanges for peanut butter and eventually being caught by a determined prison correctional officer. Tony discusses the consequences of this incident, including extended time in the program and the ne...
Oct 07, 2024•41 min•Ep. 14
Tony and Sonny dive into the world of the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). Tony shares his personal experience with the program, which can significantly reduce prison time for participants, provided they adhere to its strict behavioral requirements. They discuss the challenges of enrolling in RDAP, including dealing with jealousy and stereotypes from other inmates, and the stringent rules and expectations within the program. Tony narrates his journey from discovering RDAP to dealing with t...
Sep 17, 2024•37 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of the Criminal Code Podcast, hosts Tony and Sam, along with special guest Zo dive into the harsh realities of prison life, focusing on violent encounters and the strategies for survival. Zo shares personal anecdotes, including narrowly avoiding fights and a particularly intense incident involving a lock and a sock. The episode sheds light on the difference in violence across various security levels, from low to maximum, and emphasizes the importance of respect, manners, and mind...
Aug 15, 2024•40 min•Ep. 12
In this episode of the Criminal Code Podcast, hosts Tony and Sonny discuss the often overlooked transition period of moving from prison to a halfway house. They explore the various challenges and realities faced by former inmates during this crucial phase. The conversation provides first-hand accounts and vivid descriptions of the halfway houses in Compton and Hollywood, illustrating the harsh environmental contrasts compared to the prison camps. Tony and Sonny discuss the emotional rollercoaste...
Jul 31, 2024•34 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, hosts Tony and Sonny talk about their personal experiences and insights from serving time in federal prison. They discuss the fears and misconceptions they had before entering the system, the importance of doing thorough research, and how to navigate life in prison camps. Both Tony and Sonny share stories from their time at different security levels and offer practical advice for anyone who might be headed to prison. They highlight the mental preparation needed, the importance o...
Jul 18, 2024•36 min•Ep. 10
In today's episode, Tony and Sonny dive into the unique challenges and surprising solutions for maintaining health and fitness while incarcerated. From the humorous yet revealing story of Tony’s pre-prison weight gain to the rigorous workout routines that helped them stay fit, this episode offers a raw and insightful look at prison life through the lens of health and wellness. Tony and Sonny kick off the episode by discussing the topic of health and fitness in prison. Tony shares his personal st...
May 31, 2024•45 min•Ep. 9
Today marks a special episode as we introduce our new co-host, Sonny. Sonny’s story is one of unexpected turns, legal battles, and the harsh realities of prison life. This episode delves deep into his experiences, providing an eye-opening look at the journey from freedom to incarceration. We kick off the episode with Sonny reflecting on the day he received an envelope that would change his life. The indictment came two and a half years after his business had already been shut down by the governm...
May 23, 2024•39 min•Ep. 8
We go into the turbulent life of Henry, who descended from a promising student to a life entangled in crime. Raised by a single mother and influenced by a lack of a male role model, Henry's journey from an academically gifted child to a participant in drug sales and petty crimes shows what happens when you hang out with the wrong crowd. Highlights: Henry shares his early years marked by high academic achievements and the pressures of living up to the expectations of a Christian Asian family. The...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 7
Welcome to "Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars," the podcast where former inmates discuss their experiences and insights from prison life. In this episode, Tony, Sam, Tay, and Zo share powerful stories from their time behind bars, exploring themes of friendship, justice, and personal growth. Life Inside Prison: The hosts recount their first meeting in Morgantown prison and describe the unique bond they formed through shared experiences. They delve into daily life, the challenges faced, and the...
Apr 27, 2024•36 min•Ep. 6
Welcome to a special reunion episode of "Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars," hosted by Tony, with the company of Sam, Tay, and Zo. This unique gathering brings together the voices behind the characters of the "Criminal Code" cartoon for an insightful and often humorous look into their experiences within the prison system. This episode delves into the lighter side of prison life, exploring how humor, creativity, and unexpected friendships can emerge even in the most unlikely places. From makes...
Apr 18, 2024•37 min•Ep. 5
Welcome to this episode of "Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars." In today's episode, our host, Tony, welcomes a special guest, Tay who shares his gripping journey through the prison system, detailing the harsh realities of life behind bars, from his first federal number to the politics of prison life and the unexpected turns of fate that led him to a path of self-discovery and redemption. Key Highlights: Introduction to Tay: Our guest shares his first encounter with the federal prison system a...
Apr 11, 2024•36 min•Ep. 4
In this episode of "Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars," we dive into the raw and unfiltered journey of Zo, whose life took an unexpected turn leading to time spent behind bars. Zo, alongside our hosts Tony and Sam, unpacks the series of events that led to his imprisonment, the reality of life inside, and the lessons learned along the way. Zo's experience offers a firsthand look at the complexities of the criminal justice system, from the nuances of his case involving a wiretap conspiracy to t...
Apr 02, 2024•33 min•Ep. 3
Welcome to the latest episode of Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars. I'm Tony, joined by my co-host Sam. Both of us have faced the daunting reality of incarceration and have lived to tell the tale. Today's episode delves deep into the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies a prison sentence—from the moment of sentencing to the anticipation of release. Highlights from this episode include: The Moment of Sentencing: We share our personal experiences with sentencing, the immediate impact it had...
Mar 21, 2024•38 min•Ep. 2
Welcome to the very first episode of Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars. In this opening episode, hosts Sam and Tony introduce themselves and their unique background of meeting in prison. Both Asian-Americans, they offer a perspective not commonly represented in discussions about the U.S. prison system. Here's what you'll find in this episode: Introduction to the Hosts: Learn about Sam and Tony, how they met, and why they're breaking the silence on Asian-American experiences in prison. Life in...
Mar 18, 2024•38 min•Ep. 1
