Locked In with Ian Bick

Kevin "Fresh" Townsend grew up in Brooklyn with his father in prison and his mother raising him on her own. He took to the streets at a young age, dropped out of high school, became involved with gangs, and started dealing drugs. Then, at just 19 years old, he landed on America's Most Wanted for a murder he says he did not commit. After two trials, Kevin was convicted and sentenced to 20 years to life in New York state prison. Over the next two decades, he ran with the Bloods, navigated Rikers Island, and survived some of New York's toughest maximum-security prisons. After serving 20 years, Kevin finally walked free — just two weeks before sitting down to record this episode.
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Connect with Kevin "Fresh" Townsend: Book:
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Kevin
00:50 Growing Up in Brooklyn
02:10 The Impact of Having a Father in Prison
03:03 Street Lessons and Gang Life
03:57 Gambling and the Addiction to Money
06:10 The Routine of Gang Life
08:12 Staying Away from Selling Drugs
10:14 Family Love and His Father's Advice
12:56 Reading Books and Dreaming of a Better Life
14:27 A History of Violence and Fear
17:35 Charged with Murder
25:53 Arrest and Interrogation
27:31 Lack of Evidence and False Testimony
30:19 First Day at Rikers and the Start of Prison Life
34:00 First Trial and Mistrial
37:12 Convicted at the Second Trial
40:01 Sentencing and a 20-Year Prison Sentence
44:37 Failed Appeals and Losing Hope
48:53 Sent Upstate to Prison
51:18 Five Points and Adjusting to a New Life
54:00 Prison Rules and Survival Tactics
57:19 Solitary Confinement and Mental Struggles
59:49 Transfers Between Prisons and Different Experiences
01:04:18 Relationships with Other Inmates and Unexpected Events
01:07:57 Back in Solitary and Working on Himself
01:12:54 Released from Prison and Reuniting with Family
01:15:19 Adjusting to Life on the Outside
01:18:50 New Goals and Hope for the Future
01:23:22 Marriage and Relationship Struggles
01:26:29 Lessons from Prison and Advice for Young People
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Tyler Ryals couldn't get into the military, so at 18 years old he became a correctional officer in the Georgia state prison system. He quickly worked his way up, becoming one of the youngest CERT team commanders and sergeants in the system. Over nearly 10 years, he worked inside some of Georgia's most violent maximum-security prisons and witnessed firsthand how severe staffing shortages put both officers and inmates at risk. Eventually, Tyler became a whistleblower, speaking out about just how dangerous conditions inside Georgia's prison system had become — a decision that ultimately pushed him out of the career he had built.
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Thank you to AG1, HUNGRYROOT & CASH APP for sponsoring this episode:
AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin
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Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "THE COMMISSARY UPGRADE" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN
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Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod
Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
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Connect with Tyler Ryals:
https://linktr.ee/TylerRyalsX?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c0142663-7c83-4224-a495-33de8fbea012
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 A Brutal Attack
00:31 Tyler's Upbringing
01:42 Family and Early Plans
03:31 Failed Military Enlistment
04:45 Choosing Corrections
06:00 Age Requirements Then and Now
07:37 No Other Options
08:33 Juvenile Detention and Fight
10:15 The Legal Battle
13:44 Community Service
15:15 Inside YDC
17:44 Teenage Trouble
18:19 Parents' Reaction
20:04 Corrections Application
22:35 AG1 Advertisement
23:56 Training Begins
26:24 First Test
27:57 The Hole
28:50 Why Start in Max Security
29:25 BCOT Experience
30:53 Choosing a Shift
32:00 What is Tier?
35:13 Tier Program Expansion
36:20 Getting into Tier
37:00 Officer Role in Tier
40:14 Was the Tier Effective?
42:37 Career Goals
43:19 Joining the CERT Team
44:04 Cell Extraction Stories
45:00 Early Rise to Supervisor
45:50 Knife Extraction Part 1
49:40 Electrical Surprise
50:02 Hungryroot Ad
51:33 After the Extraction
52:15 Supervisor Pay and Benefits
53:37 High Turnover Reasons
54:36 First Day in Uniform
58:26 How Inmates Throw Poop
59:18 Getting Hit
01:00:00 The Flooding Incident
01:02:33 Keeping Professional
01:03:23 The Sour Milk Story
01:04:29 Dad's Advice
01:05:35 Worst Gangs
01:08:29 Paperwork and Snitches
01:10:57 Worst Thing Seen
01:13:31 State Reporting and Coverups
01:16:19 The 10% Reduction
01:17:18 Cash App Ad
01:19:52 First Misconduct by Staff
01:19:52 First Misconduct by Staff
01:21:00 Staff Shortages Worsen
01:23:19 Return to Telfair
01:25:40 Abandoned Buildings
01:27:40 Inmate-Reported Deaths
01:28:48 Dealing with Killers
01:29:39 Calling for the National Guard
01:32:48 The Whistleblowing Letter
01:33:56 Instructing and Realization
01:36:35 No Safety in Prisons
01:38:00 Meetings with Gang Members
01:40:20 Georgia State Prison Collapse
01:41:21 Buck Flaps
01:41:50 How Tyler Got Stabbed
01:46:10 Training Green Officers
01:48:20 Gear Shortages
01:49:45 The Cell Extraction Begins
01:52:08 The Struggle
01:57:40 The Aftermath
02:01:20 Machete Incident
02:02:00 Post-Extraction Chaos
02:02:30 Wrapping Up
02:03:00 Constitutional Violations
02:03:40 The Bloods vs GDs War
02:04:56 Final Thoughts
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James Kearney grew up in New York City as the son of a Rikers Island correctional officer. He originally wanted to become a teacher, but ultimately followed in his father's footsteps and joined the New York City Department of Correction in the late 1990s. By his third year on the job, he had become one of the youngest captains in Rikers Island history. But stepping into leadership exposed him to a side of the system he never expected — inexperienced people being placed in positions they weren't prepared for, and a culture that didn't always welcome those who challenged it. When James tried to address what he was seeing, he says he experienced the full weight of institutional retaliation. Less than a decade into his career, an injury on the job ultimately led to his medical retirement.
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Thank you to CASH APP, AG1, & HUNGRYROOT for sponsoring this episode:
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod
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Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
_____________________________________________
AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin
_____________________________________________
Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "THE COMMISSARY UPGRADE" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: James Kernney's Rikers Story
00:45 Growing Up and Family Background
03:37 Father's Influence and Taking the Civil Service Test
05:50 The Job vs. Career: Advice for New Officers
07:20 Problems in the System: Contraband and Nepotism
09:29 The Best Kept Secret: Rikers Island
10:43 Promotion Process: Becoming a Captain
12:27 Mini Medical Incompetence and Weight Requirements
14:50 Fastest Promotion: Youngest Captain in History
17:27 Academy Life and First Days
19:42 First Assignment: C76 and Learning the Ropes
22:45 Queen's House: The Preferred Command
24:32 Sentenced vs. Remanded Inmates
26:42 First Lessons: Academy vs. Reality
29:00 Use of Force Directive and Its Flaws
32:25 Officers and Inmates: Handling with Care
34:05 Surprises: Nepotism and Comfort with Favors
36:49 Night Tours and Midnight Intake Duties
38:00 Midnight Intake Captain: Court Lists and Punitive Segregation
41:03 Captain's Role: Intake Challenges
42:27 Becoming Captain: Test and Training
44:54 Probationary Periods and Petty Charges
47:27 Transfer to Queen's Courts Division
50:53 Desire to Go to GRVC and First Assignments
52:50 Low Pay and Struggles for New Officers
53:04 Pay Raises and Retention Issues
57:01 Officer Housing and Commute Struggles
58:04 Captain's Pay and Rank Structure
59:18 Role as a Captain: Intake Nightmare
01:00:26 Trouble Begins: First Erroneous Discharge Charges
01:02:32 West Facility Discharge and Order to Produce
01:04:06 Second Incident: Mark Gastino and Retaliation
01:06:39 Facing Charges and Defending Actions
01:09:20 Charges Dropped but Warnings Persist
01:10:08 The Threat of Overholding Inmates
01:11:11 Release Procedures and Returning Inmates
01:13:20 Inmate Relations and Targeting Officers
01:14:21 Impact of Cameras on Inmate Behavior
01:15:27 Corrupt Staff and Personal Shocks
01:16:29 Further Retaliation: Free Tour and Use of Force
01:17:58 Infection and Surgery: Gangrene Scare
01:18:20 Chief's Nephew Incident and Consequences
01:20:12 Transfer to GRVC and More Trouble
01:22:05 Arrogance and Further Charges
01:23:25 Union Support and Family Advice
01:24:33 Final Incident: CMC Max and Cameras
01:26:20 Charges for Looking Angry and Medical Separation
01:29:20 Getting the Pension and Unemployment Struggles
01:31:35 Meeting His Wife and Family Life
01:33:53 Career End and Teaching Dreams Blocked
01:36:30 Why Not Marry Another Officer?
01:38:41 Advice for Officers and Mental Health Crisis
01:41:26 Psych Exams: A Joke and Stigma
01:44:12 Final Thoughts: No Regrets and Hopes for Return
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George "Joby" Walters grew up in Ohio, joined the Army, and developed a passion for mechanics and motorcycles before joining the Avengers Motorcycle Club in Alabama. After an injury pushed him away from the club, he eventually landed in Arizona, where he patched into the Hells Angels in the late 1990s and became close personal friends with the legendary Sonny Barger. Over the next decade, Joby found himself in the middle of violent conflicts with rival clubs including the Mongols and Vagos and was present at the infamous Harrah's Casino riot in Laughlin, Nevada, on April 27, 2002, when the Hells Angels and Mongols clashed in one of the most notorious biker confrontations in American history. In the aftermath, he went on the run to Mexico, eventually took a plea deal that sent him to prison, and ultimately made the decision to walk away from the Hells Angels after 10 years. Now, Joby is telling the complete story of what life inside one of the world's most notorious motorcycle clubs was really like — from brotherhood and loyalty to violence, prison, and what it took to finally leave it behind.
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Thank you to HUNGRYROOT, AG1 & CASH APP for sponsoring this episode:
Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "THE COMMISSARY UPGRADE" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN
_____________________________________________
AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin
_____________________________________________
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
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Connect with George "Joby" Walters:
https://www.jobywalters.com/
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
 https://ianbick.com/
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Growing Up in Rural Ohio
01:29 Joining the Army
02:16 Young Joby's Personality
03:00 Joining the Military
04:03 Life in the Army
05:39 Quitting Drugs and Alcohol
06:48 Life After the Army
08:07 Heading to Alabama
09:20 Meeting the Avengers
10:51 Finding Brotherhood
11:36 Prospecting with the Avengers
12:53 The Prospecting Process
15:24 What It Meant to Be a Biker
16:40 A Story with the Pagans
20:59 Communication and Money
22:45 Clubhouses and Fights
23:47 Marking People Out
26:00 Rules and Politics
27:44 Law Enforcement
28:54 Leaving the Avengers
30:30 Joining the Circus
33:44 Working with Elephants
36:35 Running From Yourself
39:04 Leaving the Avengers
43:45 Life in Arizona
47:01 Getting Back into Bikes
51:10 Meeting the Hell's Angels
56:39 Becoming a Prospect
59:16 The Warning
01:01:36 Prospecting Differences
01:04:36 Getting Patched In
01:06:11 The Reality of the Patch
01:07:58 Wars and Conflicts
01:09:00 The Laughlin River Run
01:11:20 The Aftermath
01:13:28 The Root of the War
01:15:20 Arrest and Charges
01:18:00 Jay Dobyns Revealed
01:20:39 The Vagos Incident
01:22:40 Fleeing to Mexico
01:24:30 Life in Mexico
01:26:00 Returning and Getting Caught
01:28:45 Going to Prison
01:30:40 Finding God
01:32:36 Last Conversation with Sunny
01:33:40 The Club's Evolution
01:35:50 Federal Prison
01:37:20 Preaching in Prison
01:40:12 Removing the Tattoos
01:41:12 Would You Do It Again?
01:43:00 Riding with Sunny
01:48:24 Getting Out of Prison
01:51:45 Pee-Wee and George Christie
01:53:30 Life After the Club
01:58:20 Final Thoughts
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Michael Dodge grew up in a dysfunctional household, moved around constantly, and eventually found himself caught up in the streets, gangs, and addiction. He turned his life around and became a parole officer specializing in gangs for the Indiana Department of Correction. But after becoming addicted to painkillers, his life unraveled again. Michael committed a crime involving a confidential informant, was arrested, and sentenced to five years in prison — inside the same Indiana prison system he had once worked for.
_____________________________________________
Thank you to AG1, HUNGRYROOT & CASH APP for sponsoring this episode:
AG1: For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/lockedin
_____________________________________________
Hungryroot: Explore my Hungryroot Digital Cookbook "THE COMMISSARY UPGRADE" at https://hungryroot.com/LOCKEDIN
_____________________________________________
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/6pao71et #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: 
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 Arrested on Conspiracy Charges
01:02 Growing Up in Atlanta
02:24 A Tough Childhood
04:43 Struggling to Fit In
06:14 Life in Florida and First Initiation
10:54 Return to Atlanta and Gang Life
13:30 Juvenile Trouble and Boys Home
15:41 Mother's Role and Self-Reflection
16:39 Teenage Years and Turning Point
22:18 Rededication and Family
25:35 Education and Career Start
28:49 Joining the Indiana DOC
31:56 Gang Members on Parole
34:20 Building Rapport with Parolees
36:29 Memorable Field Work Story
42:03 Challenges of the Job
44:40 Problems in the System
48:24 Inexperienced Officers
51:29 Judging Parolees by Their Files
53:20 A Case That Haunts Him
56:36 Power and Discretion
01:00:00 Supervising Sex Offenders
01:07:52 Reflections on Accountability
01:10:30 Drug Testing and Dodging
01:12:00 Needing Mental Health Support
01:13:34 Injury and Prescription Addiction
01:17:24 Suboxone and Family Awareness
01:19:18 The Downfall Begins
01:23:43 The Arrest and Run
01:27:00 Caught and Extradition
01:31:31 The Ride to Jail
01:33:41 Fired and Shunned
01:38:10 Facing Judge and Sentence
01:46:40 Jail and Prison Experience
01:48:40 Sentencing to DOC
01:50:30 Transfer to Oklahoma
01:56:35 Life at Lawton Facility
02:00:40 Adjusting to Prison Culture
02:04:50 Violence in Oklahoma Prisons
02:09:02 Learning from Within
02:14:50 Release and Probation
02:18:54 Life After Prison
02:20:19 Finding Love Again
02:23:23 Looking Forward
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To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka