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 redemption and serves as a source of hope for those looking to turn their lives around.

Join us for this raw and inspiring conversation that highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of change, no matter how dire the circumstances. How do you get pardoned? Listen to Chris's story to find out in his unique journey, and more importantly how he dealt with life after prison.

Timestamps:

00:00 Highlights

00:27 Introduction

00:57 Chris's Early Life and Influences

03:49 High School Chaos and Gang Involvement

06:15 First Major Offense and Arrest

08:05 Life in County Jail

15:20 Second Major Offense and Arrest

19:24 Life After Second Release

21:58 Struggles with Addiction

24:57 Seeking a Pardon

30:06 Life After the Pardon

37:36 Reflections and Relationships

41:43 Closing Thoughts

Thanks for listening to Criminal Code: Our Story Behind Bars podcast.

#PrisonToPardon #AddictionRecovery #LifeAfterPrison #HowToGetPardoned

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 acquisition of Gretzky and his astounding experience in the world of Hollywood and the racehorse industry.

The episode also delves into his dramatic fall, detailing his legal battles and eventual imprisonment. Bruce offers a raw look into his time in prison and how he managed life post-release, maintaining friendships and diving back into business. This episode is a conversation of a life filled with high-risk ventures, monumental successes, and steep declines, providing a rare look behind the scenes of Hollywood, sports, and high-value collectibles.

00:00 Intro
01:56 The Rise of a Coin Dealer
11:28 Venturing into the Horse Business
18:33 Hollywood Connections and Movie Ventures
21:16 The Gretzky Trade and Transforming the LA Kings
38:42 Expanding into Canadian Football
45:41 A Lunch with Spielberg
46:04 Hiring David to Run MGM
46:26 Financial Troubles and Rising Debt
48:43 FBI Investigation and Legal Troubles
50:34 Pleading Guilty and Prison Sentence
55:55 Life in Prison
01:12:35 Release and Rebuilding Life
01:24:27 Reflecting on Life and Future Goals
01:28:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 necessity of maintaining respect among fellow inmates by not revealing his supplier.

Tony has to make a choice between ratting out his peanut butter supplier or being kicked out of his RDAP program and extending his time in prison.

00:00 Intro
01:00 Welcome
03:02 Life in Morgantown Federal Corrections
08:14 The RDAP Program
12:50 Smuggling Peanut Butter
21:46 The Peanut Butter Incident
22:40 Facing the Consequences
26:17 Interrogation
29:30 Aftermath
34:22 Lessons Learned
40:06 Closing Thoughts

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 the stringent disciplinary actions and behavioral modifications it enforces. He also addresses the psychological and social dynamics involved in being part of the program and touches upon an intriguing cliffhanger about an incident that nearly got him expelled from RDAP. Tune in to learn the pros and cons of RDAP and whether it's worth the effort for those looking to shorten their prison sentences.

00:00 Intro
01:10 Discovering RDAP
03:28 Navigating the Legal System for RDAP
10:37 Life in RDAP: Challenges and Adjustments
12:52 RDAP's Impact on Prison Life
20:51 Spotting Suspicious Activity
22:07 The Dilemma of Reporting
23:19 Confrontation in Group
26:32 The Consequences of Snitching
33:36 Reflecting on RDAP's Impact
36:09 Teaser for the Next Episode

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 minding one's own business to ensure safety. With raw and unfiltered accounts, this episode offers a gripping and informative look at the often unseen world behind bars.

00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
00:31 Prison Fights: Reality vs. Media
02:07 Personal Stories of Fights
06:43 Lock in the Sock
11:02 First Time in Prison
17:55 Commissary Line Fights
19:29 Exercise Room Conflicts
21:18 Shower and Bathroom Experiences
30:55 Halfway House Challenges
37:14 Final Thoughts

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 rollercoaster of preparing for release, the living conditions, safety concerns, and the bureaucratic hassles that come with halfway house regulations.

They share personal anecdotes, including encounters with memorable characters and the struggles of re-adjusting to the real world while under supervised release. This episode offers invaluable insights and advice for those approaching this transition or those curious about the criminal justice system's reentry process.

00:00 Intro
01:43 Transitioning from Prison to Halfway House
03:06 Life at the Halfway House
17:42 Meeting Fellow Inmates
19:00 Weekend Permissions and Routine
21:09 Parole Officer Meetings
23:42 Challenges and Characters
29:45 Supervised Release
30:17 Advice for Future Inmates
32:33 Final Thoughts

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 of connecting with fellow inmates, and the unwritten rules that govern prison life.

Whether it's about dealing with territorial disputes, understanding prison hierarchies, or just surviving the emotional toll, this episode provides a comprehensive view of what it's like behind bars and aims to demystify the prison experience for future inmates.

00:00 Intro
01:24 Initial Fears and Misconceptions
02:42 Research and Preparation Before Prison
09:33 First Day in Prison Experiences
15:54 Adjusting to Prison Life
21:52 Navigating Social Dynamics in Prison
31:58 Final Thoughts and Advice

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 story of weight gain before entering prison, humorously describing himself as "Hamburger Healthy" at 222 pounds. This sets the stage for a deeper conversation about how they both managed to stay fit during their time behind bars.

The "31 Down" Pushup Challenge. Sonny details this grueling pushup routine that starts with 31 pushups and decreases by one each set, totaling 500 pushups. The hosts emphasize the importance of consistent fitness routines, sharing insights on various exercises like pushups, pull-ups, and burpees that helped them stay in shape.

Sonny recounts how he found a group to work out with and the benefits of having workout partners. He shares stories about Big Mike, an imposing yet friendly inmate, who introduced him to intense burpee workouts. These anecdotes provide a glimpse into the camaraderie and support systems that form within prison walls.

The discussion then shifts to the creative cooking methods inmates use to prepare their meals. Tony and Sonny talk about how they managed to cook their meals using limited resources and contraptions. From making stir-fry and chicken soup to grilling cheese with irons, their stories highlight the ingenuity and resourcefulness required to maintain a healthy diet in prison.

Maintaining fitness post-prison is another crucial topic covered in this episode. Tony and Sonny offer advice on staying fit after release and discuss how the discipline learned in prison helps in the outside world. Tony shares his journey from gaining weight before prison to achieving a fit physique and how he maintains it post-release. They stress the importance of having a fitness routine to fall back on once outside, given the numerous distractions and pressures.