What If Your Worst Mistake at 16 Meant Life in Prison? The Nicco Plowden Interview

On this episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve is joined by Nicco Plowden from the Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus, New York. Nicco, incarcerated for well over three decades, shares his journey from growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s, getting caught up in street life, and eventually being sentenced to 55 years to life for crimes committed as a teenager. He talks about the realities of life on the run, the differences between federal and state prisons, and how he stays out of trouble. Nicco hasn’t received a disciplinary write-up in over 25 years, and he credits that in part to education, programming, and cooking — turning even the most limited resources into moments of comfort and creativity, while never losing hope for a better future.

The conversation also veers into the impact of long (or life) sentences on juvenile offenders, the fight for reform through New York’s proposed Second Look Act, and the challenges of finding connection and hope inside. Nicco talks candidly about the importance of friendship, the loneliness of incarceration, and his wish for genuine pen pals — people who see him for who he is now, not just for the mistakes of his youth.

To learn more about Nicco Plowden, visit his PenPals.Buzz Profile Page

Let us know your thoughts at [email protected] or hear other episodes at https://penpalpodcast.com.