Here in Central New York we’re surrounded by people we rarely see or hear: people who are imprisoned. Hear the voices of poets who are transforming their lives from within prison walls on "The Undiscovered Country: Voices Over the Wall" with your host Michael Rhynes.
Poet Ketu Oladuwa on the Undiscovered Country
In this episode of the "Undiscovered Country—Voices Over the Wall" host Michael Rhynes continues to explore the role of poetry and literature in the lives of people affected by the carceral state.
Ketu Oladuwa is an octogenarian poet who was wrongfully locked up for 5 years on death row in the 1960s. Listen below to hear Michael's interview with Ketu Oladuwa which originally aired Sunday August 10 2025.
This program co-produced by Michael Rhynes and Felix Teitelbaum. It's funded by a 2025 Humanities New York grant and by WRFI's listeners. It's produced in collaboration with Civic Ensemble, Prisoner Express, and the Cornell Prison Education Program.
Due to funding cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities, our grant for this program was partially rescinded in spring 2025. WRFI is seeking new funding sources to continue the Undiscovered Country series. If you're interested in supporting the program please making a donation or reach out to Program Director Felix Teitelbaum to discuss opportunities.
Poet Quentin Lewis on The Undiscovered Country
In this episode we meet Quentin Lewis who is fighting his conviction while locked up at Wende Correctional in Western New York. Hear his poems. And listen as he joins Michael in conversation about writing in prison, Quentin’s work as a jailhouse lawyer, and the burden of being imprisoned while maintaining one’s innocence.
Quentin Lewis was featured on the March episode of The Undiscovered Country. Copies of a hand-bound chapbook featuring Quentin's poems can be purchased in our webstore. 50% of proceeds of the sale of the book will be sent to Quentin. The book's cover and title page were hand-printed on an antique letter-press in collaboration with Caleb Harrington at the Ithaca Generator. The bindings were sewn by the staff at Sew Green.
Your Host - Michael Rhynes
Michael was wrongfully incarcerated in New York State for 39 years and was exonerated in 2023. While in prison he published poetry including a chapbook entitled "Guerillas in the Mist" and started a theatre troupe. He brings his wealth of lived experience to discussions of incarceration, re-entry, and criminal justice.
Hamlet calls death "the undiscovered country," a mysterious land from which no one returns. Host Michael Rhynes repurposes the concept to highlight the invisibility and disenfranchisement of prison populations. Although incarcerated people are all around us, they are largely invisible to us, their humanity erased.
In the program, Michael engages poets and writers who are incarcerated in New York. We'll hear about their work and lives. The project aims to elevate these writers' voices and restore what's lost to all of us when people are exiled to the "Undiscovered Country."
"The Undiscovered Country" is a partnership between WRFI, Prisoner Express, the Cornell Prison Education Program and Civic Ensemble's Re-Entry Theatre project and supported by a grant from Humanities New York.
To support the Undiscovered Country, please contact Felix Teitelbaum at WRFI.
Previous Episodes of "The Undiscovered Country"
The Undiscovered Country w/ Ketu Oladuwa
Host Michael Rhynes continues to explore the transformative role of poetry and literature in the lives of people affected by the carceral state. In this episode, scheduled to air Sunday August 10 and Wednesday August…
Read More
The Undiscovered Country: Quentin Lewis, Poet
Here in Central New York we’re surrounded by people we rarely see or hear: people who are imprisoned. Hear the voices of poets who are transforming their lives from within prison walls on “The Undiscovered…
Read More
The Undiscovered Country: Jason Hoge of LawNY on the NYS Clean Slate Act
Host Michael Rhynes interviews attorney Jason Hoge about the new legislation that will make a difference to men and women coming home from prison. The law holds a unique promise for 2.3 million New Yorkers…
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The Undiscovered Country: Taili Mugambee
Host Michael Rhynes interviews Taili Mugambee Director of the Ultimate Re-Entry Opportunity about re-entry work underway in Tompkins County. The organization works to address housing, employment, safety, health, and wellness of those impacted by incarceration,…
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