Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Drunk History, and One Prisoner's Story of Solitary Confinement
Anthony Graves spent 18 years in solitary confinement while on death row in Texas for murders he didn’t commit. He shares his story. Then, Comedy Central’s Drunk History returns tonight for its third season. Each episode features inebriated friends and guests of the show recounting events from American history.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenPrisoners who spent time in solitary confinement at Pelican Bay are now part of a legal settlement that will change how California prisons use the practice. The settlement affects thousands of prisoners who will be moved out of solitary cells—some have been in what’s called “the SHU” for 20 years. One prisoner, Anthony Graves,spent 18 years in solitary confinement on death row in Texas for murders he didn’t commit. Then, the story of Dr. Lisa Tseng who wrote more than 27,000 drug prescriptions from 2007 to 2010 —about 25 a day. Now she’s on trial for second degree murder in the cases of three young men who overdosed on opioid painkillers she prescribed. And Drunk History returns tonight for its third season. Each episode features inebriated friends and guests of the show recounting events from American history, which are re-enacted by celebrities. Finally, if you’re looking for a house in the Pasadena area, you can call a real estate agent or you can try CalTrans. Beginning in the 1950’s, the state’s transportation agency started buying homes in Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno to make way for a 6-mile extension to the 710 Freeway. Now CalTrans is getting ready to sell all those houses, and the people who rent them are worried that they’ll be priced out.
Banner Image: solitary confinement cell
In this episode
5 storiesSolitary Confinement Settlement
Prisoners who spent time in solitary confinement at Pelican Bay are now part of a settlement that will bring big changes to how California prisons use the practice. The settlement affects thousands of prisoners who will be moved out of solitary cells—some have been in what’s called “the SHU” for 20 years.
Read the story11 minSolitary: One Prisoner’s Story
Solitary confinement can have profound psychological and physical impacts on prisoners. One prisoner shares the story of what it was like to be in solitary confinement for 18 years.
Read the story8 minPrescription Abuse Trial
From 2007 to 2010, Dr. Lisa Tseng wrote more than 27,000 drug prescriptions—about 25 a day. Some of the appointments at her storefront medical clinic in Rowland Heights lasted as little as three minutes. Now she’s on trial for second degree murder in the cases of three young men who overdosed on opioid painkillers she prescribed.
Read the story7 minThe Funny World of Drunk History
The web series turned Funny or Die series turned Comedy Central series Drunk History returns tonight for its third season. Each episode features inebriated friends and guests of the show recounting events from American history, which are re-enacted by celebrities.
Read the story13 minCalTrans Selling Pasadena Homes
If you’re looking for a house in the Pasadena area, you can call a real estate agent or you can try CalTrans. Beginning in the 1950’s, the state’s transportation agency started buying homes in Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno to make way for a 6-mile extension to the 710 Freeway. But, there has been fierce opposition.
Read the story6 min
