Escaping Prison with Role-Playing Games

Published: Sept. 25, 2024, 7 p.m.

Role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder aren\u2019t just played in game shops or living rooms. They\u2019re also very popular in prisons \u2013 if the prison officials haven\u2019t banned them. I talk with Joseph Krauter, who is formerly incarcerated, and David Annarelli, who is currently incarcerated, about the role that playing games have had on their mental health, personal development and socializing in prison. Plus, they discuss the ways they\u2019ve had to MacGyver whatever they can find into makeshift gaming materials. Michelle Dillon, a board member at Books to Prisoners in Seattle, and Moira Marquis, founder of Prison Banned Books Week and lead author on PEN America\u2019s report on book banning in prisons, explain how prisons have justified banning game books, and their efforts to get those books to incarcerated gamers.\n\nThis week\u2019s episode is sponsored by Hims, Henson Shaving and TodayTix.\n\n\nStart your free online visit today at hims.com/imaginary.\n\nVisit hensonshaving.com/imaginary to pick the razor for you and use the code \u201cimaginary\u201d to get two years' worth of blades free with your razor \u2013 just make sure to add them to your cart.\n\nGo to TodayTix.com/imaginary and use the promo code IMAGINARY to get $20 off your first Today Tix purchase.\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices