Ernie Leon shares a story of survival, violence, and redemption. Growing up in Arizona, Ernie fell into addiction and gang life at a young age, which led to an armed robbery conviction and time in the Arizona prison system. After getting into trouble behind the walls, he was sent to maximum-secur...
Ernie Leon shares a story of survival, violence, and redemption. Growing up in Arizona, Ernie fell into addiction and gang life at a young age, which led to an armed robbery conviction and time in the Arizona prison system. After getting into trouble behind the walls, he was sent to maximum-security prison, where survival became a daily battle. Following his release, tragedy struck when Ernie witnessed his brother get shot and killed, and Ernie himself was shot and paralyzed. Despite everything, he was later sent back to Arizona max prison on another armed robbery case. In this conversation, Ernie breaks down the realities of Arizona maximum-security prisons, the consequences of street life, and what it takes to keep going after losing everything.
_____________________________________________
#PrisonSurvival #TrueCrimeStories #MaximumSecurityPrison #ArizonaPrison #LifeAfterPrison #SurvivalStory #PrisonLife #RedemptionStory
_____________________________________________
Connect with Ernie Leon:
YouTube Channel: @ErnieLeon-vh9eu
Facebook: Ernie Leon
Instagram: erni.eleon1983
TikTok: @ernie.leon07
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: Ernie’s Life, Crime & Consequences
03:34 Growing Up in South Phoenix: Violence, Poverty & Survival
06:00 Family Trauma, Addiction & Early Warning Signs
09:17 Gang Life, Street Loyalty & Losing Loved Ones
13:13 First Prison Sentence: Entering the System
17:38 Racial Politics & Survival Inside Prison
22:00 Prison Gangs, Violence & Daily Threats
25:45 Life in Special Management Units (SMU)
30:36 Release From Prison, Family Pressure & Relapse
35:35 Trying to Save His Brother & Returning to the Streets
40:44 The Night Everything Changed: The Shooting
45:39 Aftermath of the Shooting: Loss, Paralysis & Trauma
50:07 Arrested Again: Facing the System Once More
54:48 Going Back to Prison While Paralyzed
01:01:41 Identity, Loyalty & Reality Behind Bars
01:07:02 Hitting Rock Bottom & Finding Faith
01:11:20 Getting Sober & Choosing a Different Life
01:14:34 Life After Prison: Recovery, Setbacks & Struggles
01:16:43 Lessons Learned & Advice to His Younger Self
01:17:38 Final Thoughts, Redemption & Closing
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices