I Was a Latin King — This Is How I Survived Prison | Steven Johnson
Thu Feb 05 2026
Steven Johnson grew up in Connecticut surrounded by instability and a rough childhood that pushed him toward the streets at a young age. As a teenager, he joined the Latin Kings and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a chapter president before landing in Connecticut state prison. While serving time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Steven made a decision that could have cost him his life — walking away from the gang while still incarcerated. In this episode, he shares what prison was really like during that era, how he survived the consequences of leaving the Kings behind bars, and how that choice completely changed the course of his life. After his release, Steven never looked back, building a new path rooted in discipline, accountability, and staying out of the system for good.
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#LatinKings #PrisonStories #GangLife #LifeAfterPrison #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeSystem #RedemptionStory #lockedin
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Than you to AVA & LUCY for sponsoring this episode:
AVA: Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app and when you join using my promo code LOCKEDIN, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice.
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LUCY: Go to HTTP://LUCY.CO/IANBICK and use promo code IANBICK to get 20% off your first order.
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Connect with Steven Johnson:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.john.247800
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@newslifeandbeyond?si=9xofBYhgZMzYNf4b
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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
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Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
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Timestamps:
00:00 Worst Jail Memory That Still Haunts Him
00:36 Meet Steven: Life, Background & Podcast Journey
03:20 Growing Up in New London, Connecticut
07:00 Family Life, Poverty & Early Struggles
13:41 Drugs, Trauma & Losing Stability at a Young Age
19:49 Teenage Hustles, Survival & Dropping Out of School
25:05 Entering Street Life & First Crimes
28:59 When Gang Culture Took Over Connecticut
32:32 Deeper Gang Involvement & Losing Control
36:04 Becoming a Latin King
40:03 Gang Leadership, Power & Expanding Influence
44:00 Trying to Change — Then Getting Arrested
54:05 County Jail Reality Check
01:03:33 Leaving the Gang While Locked Up
01:09:19 Transfer to Cheshire Prison & Daily Routine
01:14:02 Getting Sent to Virginia Prison
01:18:04 Prison Politics & Surviving Without Trouble
01:25:01 Life Lessons From Prison & Walking Away From the Gang
01:27:01 Life After Prison & Staying Clean
01:33:01 Rebuilding Family Relationships & Finding Purpose
01:40:11 Final Reflections & Advice to the Next Generation
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Steven Johnson grew up in Connecticut surrounded by instability and a rough childhood that pushed him toward the streets at a young age. As a teenager, he joined the Latin Kings and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a chapter president before landing in Connecticut state prison. While serving time in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Steven made a decision that could have cost him his life — walking away from the gang while still incarcerated. In this episode, he shares what prison was really like during that era, how he survived the consequences of leaving the Kings behind bars, and how that choice completely changed the course of his life. After his release, Steven never looked back, building a new path rooted in discipline, accountability, and staying out of the system for good. _____________________________________________ #LatinKings #PrisonStories #GangLife #LifeAfterPrison #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeSystem #RedemptionStory #lockedin _____________________________________________ Than you to AVA & LUCY for sponsoring this episode: AVA: Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app and when you join using my promo code LOCKEDIN, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice. _____________________________________________ LUCY: Go to HTTP://LUCY.CO/IANBICK and use promo code IANBICK to get 20% off your first order. _____________________________________________ Connect with Steven Johnson: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.john.247800 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@newslifeandbeyond?si=9xofBYhgZMzYNf4b _____________________________________________ 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 Worst Jail Memory That Still Haunts Him 00:36 Meet Steven: Life, Background & Podcast Journey 03:20 Growing Up in New London, Connecticut 07:00 Family Life, Poverty & Early Struggles 13:41 Drugs, Trauma & Losing Stability at a Young Age 19:49 Teenage Hustles, Survival & Dropping Out of School 25:05 Entering Street Life & First Crimes 28:59 When Gang Culture Took Over Connecticut 32:32 Deeper Gang Involvement & Losing Control 36:04 Becoming a Latin King 40:03 Gang Leadership, Power & Expanding Influence 44:00 Trying to Change — Then Getting Arrested 54:05 County Jail Reality Check 01:03:33 Leaving the Gang While Locked Up 01:09:19 Transfer to Cheshire Prison & Daily Routine 01:14:02 Getting Sent to Virginia Prison 01:18:04 Prison Politics & Surviving Without Trouble 01:25:01 Life Lessons From Prison & Walking Away From the Gang 01:27:01 Life After Prison & Staying Clean 01:33:01 Rebuilding Family Relationships & Finding Purpose 01:40:11 Final Reflections & Advice to the Next Generation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices