McNeil Island in South Puget Sound is the Alcatraz you've never heard of. The now-abandoned prison on McNeil operated for 136 years. Today, the island is home to the Special Commitment Center, which houses Washington state's "sexually violent predators." A collaboration between KNKX and the Washington State Historical Society, Forgotten Prison tells the stories of inmates, guards, and children who grew up on the island. The history of this forgotten place can tell us a lot about how and why we lock people up.
Latest episodes
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32 min
New Podcast: The Walk Home
KNKX Public Radio and The Seattle Times want to share a new podcast: The Walk Home. Listen to the first episode here. To get new episodes as they come out, look for The Walk Home w…
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4 min
Outsiders: A new podcast about homelessness from KNKX and The Seattle Times
Homelessness on the West Coast is rising to crisis levels at a time of historic economic growth and prosperity. Why? KNKX Public Radio and The Seattle Times' Project Homeless spent…
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4 min
Outsiders: A new podcast about homelessness from KNKX and The Seattle Times
Homelessness on the West Coast is rising to crisis levels at a time of historic economic growth and prosperity. Why? KNKX Public Radio and The Seattle Times' Project Homeless spent…
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9 min
UPDATE: Laura McCollum leaves the island
Laura McCollum, who was profiled in Episode 2 of Forgotten Prison , has been conditionally released from the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. Hosts Simone Alicea and Pau…
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9 min
UPDATE: Laura McCollum leaves the island
Laura McCollum, who was profiled in Episode 2 of Forgotten Prison, has been conditionally released from the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. Hosts Simone Alicea and Paul…
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32 min
Episode 6: Every Prison is an Island
McNeil Island is an especially forgotten prison. But, in the end, all prisons are forgotten in some way. In the last episode of Forgotten Prison , hosts Simone Alicea and Paula Wis…
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31 min
Episode 6: Every Prison is an Island
McNeil Island is an especially forgotten prison. But, in the end, all prisons are forgotten in some way. In the last episode of Forgotten Prison, hosts Simone Alicea and Paula Wiss…
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36 min
Episode 5: It Happened Here
Studying the history of an American prison is really just a study in American history. Pick a major event, and odds are good you can find at least one story related to McNeil Islan…
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36 min
Episode 5: It Happened Here
Studying the history of an American prison is really just a study in American history. Pick a major event, and odds are good you can find at least one story related to McNeil Islan…
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31 min
Episode 4: Island Life
One obvious thing that made the prison on McNeil unique was its island location. In Episode 4 of Forgotten Prison, we hear from former guards, inmates and children who grew up ther…
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31 min
Episode 4: Island Life
One obvious thing that made the prison on McNeil unique was its island location. In Episode 4 of Forgotten Prison, we hear from former guards, inmates and children who grew up ther…
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37 min
Episode 3: Designing Incarceration
The abandoned prison on McNeil Island and its 136-year history can tell us a lot about why we lock people up and how it has changed over time. Hosts Simone Alicea and Paula Wissel…
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37 min
Episode 3: Designing Incarceration
The abandoned prison on McNeil Island and its 136-year history can tell us a lot about why we lock people up and how it has changed over time. Hosts Simone Alicea and Paula Wissel…
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32 min
Episode 2: Not a Prison
While the prison on McNeil Island closed in 2011, Washington state still runs the Special Commitment Center there. It's where the state keeps "sexually violent predators" who have…
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31 min
Episode 2: Not a Prison
While the prison on McNeil Island closed in 2011, Washington state still runs the Special Commitment Center there. It's where the state keeps "sexually violent predators" who have…
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28 min
Episode 1: Forgotten
There are a thousand stories about McNeil Island. And odds are, you haven't heard any of them. In Episode 1 of Forgotten Prison , hosts Simone Alicea and Paula Wissel explain how w…
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28 min
Episode 1: Forgotten
There are a thousand stories about McNeil Island. And odds are, you haven't heard any of them. In Episode 1 of Forgotten Prison, hosts Simone Alicea and Paula Wissel explain how we…
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2 min
TRAILER: Forgotten Prison, a new podcast about McNeil Island
KNKX premiers Forgotten Prison on Jan. 22, a new podcast featuring McNeil Island — the Alcatraz you've never heard of.
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2 min
TRAILER: Forgotten Prison, a new podcast about McNeil Island
KNKX premiers Forgotten Prison on Jan. 22, a new podcast featuring McNeil Island — the Alcatraz you've never heard of.