Eric King Survived Prison, Now He is Working to Abolish Them

Eric King Survived Prison, Now He is Working to Abolish Them

From Party Girls by Jamie Peck and Sam Beard

May 16, 2026 · 1h 2m

About this episode

Sam interviews Eric King about his experiences in prison and his work towards abolitionism.

Sam is joined by Eric King, an anarchist writer, antifascist organizer, and former federal prisoner whose new memoir, A Clean Hell: Anarchy and Abolition in America’s Most Notorious Dungeon, offers a firsthand account of incarceration inside some of the most restrictive prisons in the United States, including ADX Florence, Alcatraz of the rockies, the federal supermax sometimes described as the most secure prison in the world. Eric, like many, was further radicalized during the Ferguson Rebellion in 2014, and since that time has devoted his life to abolitionism. On this week’s episode Sam and Eric talk life inside, and how the relationships we build across prison walls serve as a lifeline for those the State is trying to make disappear. How does prisoner support work, do you have any excuse not to be doing it? How does the disposability culture peddled by prison wardens show up in our social movements and communities? How do we win? All this in more in this week’s Party Girls. Want to get started doing prisoner support? Write a letter to: Greg Curry #A213159 884 Coitsville-Hubbard Road Youngstown, Ohio 44505 Order A Clean Hell: Anarchy and Abolition in America’s Most Notorious…

People in this episode

Host: Sam

Guest: Eric King

Topics covered

  • prison abolition
  • incarceration
  • anarchism
  • prisoner support
  • radicalization
  • social movements

Keywords

  • prison
  • abolition
  • memoir
  • anarchist
  • organizer
  • support
  • Ferguson
  • disposability culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ferguson Rebellion

Books & works: A Clean Hell: Anarchy and Abolition in America’s Most Notorious Dungeon

Places: ADX Florence, Alcatraz of the rockies, Youngstown, Ohio

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