By Anthony Tone Payton

I shouldn’t be writing this from the comfort of my home. According to statistics, I’m supposed to be back in prison, watching E.S.P.N. and keeping a “lookout” for my friend trying to smuggle ten sandwiches out of the prison kitchen.

See, these sandwiches are part of a business contract I had with the Mafia guys back on my cell block. I provided them with exclusive food, and they sent the money to our accounts. After that, we -

Never mind. I’ll tell you all about it later.

It can be a task trying to attain success after incarceration.

I can tell you from experience. Yes, I was the grand architect who designed my plans, but my achievements weren’t made in a vacuum. My support system was strong, and my support on the inside was better than most. I surrounded myself with men who wanted to better themselves.

And we were surrounded by a few C.O.s (Correction Officers) who wanted to see the same.

My tour of duty included Rikers Island and various state prisons, and I can assure you that these C.O.s weren’t normal.

This podcast does not highlight bad C.Os.

I’m talking about the ones that may make you feel better about your tax dollars.

Lock and Key Podcast represents both sides of the prison experience. On this podcast, an ex-prisoner and ex-correction officer from the same federal prison are hosting a podcast together. Our valuable and nuanced insight can improve the criminal justice system at every level. Expect to be entertained and enlightened through storytelling, conversation, true crime, growth, and redemption.

Imagine a graduating class of Correction Officers hearing Marv discuss helping prisoners rather than being punitive. This could shift their view of their role beyond punishment.

Consider having at-risk youth listen to some of my stories about overcoming pain and loss and how it required a mindset shift. The experience might serve as a cautionary tale and a roadmap for others.

Think about colleges and criminal justice students tuning into this podcast, gaining immediate insight into the system's needs and challenges and shaping the future of criminal justice.

Judges, attorneys, and supervisors can all listen and hear the impact of their decisions, giving everyone an often-needed dose of reality about life after the courtrooms.

How it began-Backstory:

After my brilliant life choices got me sentenced to 10 years in Federal prison, I became a guest at Danbury Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut. (A prison that has held notable people like Lauryn Hill and Steve Bannon, and where the Netflix hit, “Orange Is The New Black” was written)

I arrived at the prison shackled to another man, hungry and continually being violated by a gas bubble that had been bothering me since the bus ride from Brooklyn.

After arriving at this prison, I was immediately approached by the New York guys who wanted to make sure that I wasn’t a snitch or a sexual predator. Once they found out that I was a stellar convict, once accused of fighting naked in prison showers (my apologies for the visual), the world of security and contraband opened up to me. I was offered a cell phone, a homemade prison shank, and marijuana.

I declined. And I especially didn’t want to smoke something that I knew was smuggled in between someone’s a$% cheeks.

Maybe later, but not now.

I just wanted to be able to hold my daughter, who was born while I was in the county jail awaiting sentencing. I’d only seen her through a thick plexiglass up until then. I could now do what I’d waited for since staring at her ultrasound picture 1 year prior.

I used to daydream about holding her hand and crossing a street.

I just wanted to hold her, kiss her forehead, and promise never to let her down like this again.

I was looking for a place to help me grow while allowing me to be away from everything around me.

That place was the prison mess hall.

Eventually, my food business hustle earned me enough money to send home from prison.

You’d be surprised at the appetites of millionaire scammers and drug lords.

I was surrounded by men learning trades ranging from culinary arts to H.V.A.C. Some of these men took college correspondence courses, often paying out of pocket for them. Most were family men. Some made bad decisions and sought to get home to right their wrongs. In any event, these men assisted in my growth.

I was also surrounded by staff, some of whom considered themselves more than C.O.s. They considered themselves our supervisors at a job site. Marv Kinnel was one of those people. They encouraged us to take culinary arts courses, learn to drive a forklift, pursue college, and take advantage of whatever the prison offered.

The Release

After nearly 7 years, I was released to a halfway house in Manchester, N.H.

It wasn’t long before I heard from Marv, who was very close to retirement and still supportive.

I put my ideas and plans into motion. I wound up giving back to the community, winning awards, and landing a TEDx Talk.

More importantly, I held my daughter’s hand as we crossed a street. I used to stroll around the prison yard, imagining conversations with her as she walked beside me. I once envisioned this; now, I'm doing it.

Present Time

Our first episode aired this month.

Here is the link to Apple Podcasts.

Here is the link to Podbean.

Our Patreon has been launched to help us bring you these stories and perspectives. A sample podcast excerpt has also been uploaded to the Patreon page.

Patreon funding will assist in equipment, marketing, and production.

Patreon members will also have access to behind-the-scenes stories and narratives that may have been too spicy for the show. We’ll also encourage our members to send feedback, questions, and topics you’d like to see covered.

Please tell a friend to tell a friend.

Welcome to Lock and Key Podcast-Both sides of Prison