On Our Watch

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When correctional officer Valentino Rodriguez first stepped behind prison walls, he wasn't just starting a job, he was joining a family. What he didn’t know was that he was now bound by an unwritten code that would ultimately test his loyalty to his oath and his fellow officers. Five years later, Valentino's sudden death would raise questions from the FBI, his family and his mentor in the elite investigative unit where they both worked. This season, join us as we follow in Valentino’s footsteps to uncover the secrets hidden inside the most dangerous prison in California: New Folsom.If you have tips or feedback about this series please reach out to us at onourwatch@kqed.org.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

pacman81

Awesome podcast!!!

Love this podcast. Can’t wait to hear more! But would love it if you don’t bleep out words especially the bad words. I doubt a 5 year old is listening to this podcast.
HateNot

Great pod!

I would love it if there were more episodes of district attorneys getting exposed for their lies, backroom dealings, intimidating, etc. and for gods sake stop allowing testimony from other inmates. Ridiculous!
TRB1986

Keep fighting!

From the first episode I’ve been locked in!!! I have already recommended this show to my circle!!! Thanks!!
FNOMINL

Important work being done here!

We all KNOW how law enforcement is getting away with…well, often, literal murder! Any help, from anyone to shine light on the matter, though a small pebble in a sea, is valuable, honorable, good work! This podcast is well produced, researched and delivered! Thank you!
IvyWestmoreland

Seeing Is Believing

I was totally captivated by this podcast because I too experienced being a whistleblower in the 90’s and I am lucky that experience didn’t destroy me completely. Thank you for addressing this on going problem in so many environments. I look forward to listening to more of your podcasts
ablackfeministATL

Wonderful

I teach a class at a college in Georgia, and I have consistently used episodes of this podcast in my teaching. Students love it. . . Thank you for this service—and for the in-depth reporting.
_______ok______

~ Vocal Fry ~ Too long, repetitive

Podcast centers on a corrections office with a substance abuse problem. He leaves the force and 9 months later he gets married. 3 weeks after that, his new bride finds him deceased by his own hand. The podcast identifies the need for better mental health care for all professions, including correctional officers. Heartbreaking story, particularly for the surviving family members. Producer dragged out 8 episodes way too long. Also vocal fry technique by the narrator is distracting. The majority of correctional officers do a great job in a tough situation everyday. Thin blue line.
ughhah

Must listen

Wow. That’s all I can say right now while I process all 8 episodes. Wow.
Kml646

Incredible journalism

This podcast is truly so good. It is disturbing but important to be told. You guys are doing Val and Steele proud. Keep going!
chinadoll1300

So good!!

The work, passion, time, etc. is truly amazing. i have told sooooo many people. Now this is journalism!! and to those affected, sending love & hugs your wayyyyy!!
cam.parker

Outstanding work.

The compassion and dedication of those involved in this production could not be clearer. These are the stories that often go untold, as they are those most threatening to existing systems of oppression. Thank you for sharing the stories of Valentino Jr. and Mr. Steele.
SunDiego619

Hooked

I can't believe how much they get away with things. Must listen. I wish there were more episodes. I listened to this season twice - that's how good it is. I hope all these families get justice. My dad and a few friends got beat up by COs while in prison. Still can't take the image of my dad's face out of my head.
youpickanicknameigiveup

Noise

TURN THE MUSIC OFF. !!!!!!!!!!! Very distracting. I can’t listen to the story because of all the useless sound effects.
Schhhiejsn

At the Top

I have listened to a lot of podcasts, and this podcast is one of the best. It tells very important stories….. but how those stories are told matters so much. There is care, and respect…… but most of all there is a soft but razor sharp cut to get at the truth. Ms Lewis is phenomenal. and asks brutally honest questions in the most delicate and respectful ways.
casiec4

Excellent Podcast

Thank you for telling this much needed story. I’m only 4 episodes in and I’m hooked. Such a thought provoking piece. A layered story with so many victims, the “good guys” correctional officers, who are really bad guys. And bad guys who are victims. I am so happy to hear there are body cams and cameras in place now.
MLS729

Awesome

I’m only one episode in…but excellent reporting and I’m already ready to give this podcast five stars based on the audio of the guy at the city council meeting who quoted Half Baked. I laughed out loud…that was AWESOME!
bigsexyboogie

Wonderful podcast and important topics!

Hi Sukey: thank you for the bonus episode on whistleblowers! Words cannot express how timely and validating this episode is for me. It was especially helpful to hear Mary Inman and Poppy Alexander’s insight, experiences and guidance. Thank you again! 🙏🏾
castortroy

Great reporting

Loved the attention to detail
dorindadyme

They were right

You can 100% get a bad infection from someone biting you. My brother got bit by a man last year and he was in the hospital for 3 weeks because of the infection it caused in his hand and went all the way up to his upper body, he had to be on a IV. He had to come home from Hawaii because they couldn’t treat him over there anymore. He had to come back to California to get treated properly. So them writing that in the report was necessary.. I’m barely on episode one. I don’t know what this is about. I hope it’s not all against police because then I’m gonna be upset and mad, that I even wasted my time.
Lueyyyy2222

Please do more …

Love this … please do more! This work is important for prison and law enforcement reform!
SoloMartes

Wow

Season 2. Wow. Just wow. A must listen.
IrritatedGamer030415

Powerful and Compelling

The reporters and researchers and producers and everyone involved contributed to a very important story and told it well. Binge worthy. Angering. Devastating. Infuriating. Heartbreaking. Thank you.
Boobeau5105

One of the Best

Season 2 of On Our Watch is OUTSTANDING! Great reporting and great storyline. The higher ups at CDCR are scandalous. WOW! Thanks for truth telling. Praying for Valentino Jr’s family, you can hear in their voices how sad they are. 💙
acenomore

From Carole

I cannot stop listening—riveting, heartbreaking, enraging. Probably the best podcast I have encountered. Just donated to KQED because of it. Keep up your incredible work. Everyone needs to know this.
You shouldve killed me .

On our watch

The truth is here however society in general needs to understand your funding violent officers and crooked officers that will lie in the face of the fbi. The ccpoa has to many loopholes to hide in that’s the truth. Federal agents failed the people cut and dry. To many coincidences the reports are what puts everything on the table . You’ll notice one particular Lt. Bales was always around to shield the violent repeat officers whom worked A yard.
SLO CA Native

Don’t stop

Accurate. Season 3 please. Much needed and accurate. A breath of fresh air. Transparency and reporting is needed.
Cashola4

NPR’s liberal bias on display

It’s no surprise to find a heavy liberal bias in public journalism from the Bay Area, and yet it’s still disappointing for those of us with a more moderate political stance. Constant negative reporting on individual police officers to support failing public safety reform efforts is one of many cogs in a machine that harms communities of every color. I’m sure the journalists here are fully deluded into the belief that their reporting is unbiased, but it’s obviously not so, to the detriment of all.
j_a_x_

Season 2

Heartbreaking, told very well.
Ruokeddie

Thank you

What a great podcast thank you and keep up the great work. And to all the families affected by the prison system, don’t give up keep your head up and may God bless all of you. To all the good CO’s keep up the great work and to bad CO’s your time will come because the truth will always prevail.
Rozie1703

WOW!!

Thank you for reporting on this!!! A must listen for everyone.
SF Yvonne

Such an important PodCast

Thank you for getting this information out, it’s so important. My heart breaks for the persons lost. Keep this podcast up it’s important to hold these people accountable.
R.A.M1998

Holding on

I work in corrections and the blue wall of silence is all to real, we are the biggest gang in the county. I’m not proud of it and I tend to just keep my mouth shut because hey they’re just inmates. I remind myself that “I’m just a worker bee” keep light on these situations maybe it’ll get better one day.
new injured runner

thank you

for all this superb dedication to the memories of people who believe in a true future for all free of corruption.
ChiefRivers

Outstanding

Listened to both seasons. Well-done
Listener from 408

Great podcast

This is probably the best podcast KQED produces. Hard hitting reporting. Keep up the great work.
WakeToSlaughterDM

Essential listening!

This show/team is doing amazing work.
Sara--G

The state of our prison system

I don’t even know how they were able to get the information that they did, to produced the show. The story was riveting and incredibly detailed. I hope that the CDCR does some major housekeeping.
Saxamaphonagraph

Top Notch Investigative Reporting

This team does incredible work. They dig through endless material, do countless interviews, to find what matters and explain it in a cohesive way. Truly invaluable.
mJw511

Vital

This is important work. Accountability is everything.
rubyrose207

Incredible journalism!

This show is so amazing! It’s telling such important stories with such integrity! One of the best podcasts!
CopperPumpkin

On My List!

Great job on this show. I have to give you folks a great deal of credit for uncovering this story. The world of Corrections is even more difficult to penetrate than local Law Enforcement agencies. Nice work!
bandistas

Excellent example of journalism and why we need it!

This season was excellent but I’ve had to go slowly. It’s just so disheartening to hear that this is how human beings are treating each other. Thank you to the journalists and families willing to share their stories.
PoodgeRocks

Amazing Journalism

Both seasons are amazing so far. The years of journalism and dedication are on full display. I hope they can continue to work toward justice for people who have been wronged by individuals propped up by a corrupt system.
IndieTashaG

Awesome Podcast

I’m here from Ear Hustle!
i like diss appp

Why is it so hard to do the right thing?

I know there are good, beautiful people out there, that treat you like a friend no matter where you’re from or regardless of the color of your skin. In our current culture of division, I appreciate these stories so, so much. These stories take you to those racially tense moments you hear about on news outlets, but don’t experience (by choice for many)- it’s as close to seeing the divide as you can get. See people for people as they are, trying to live in this ever-changing, hi-tech world. Thank you for this podcast! #AddictedtotheReal
General Xiao

Compelling Story and Solid Reporting

The access they get to the witnesses and depths they go through public records request make this a stand out. Great reporting and solid writing are the basis of a Sukey Lewis investigation. Doesn’t over reach, tries to be compassionate, but is always fair.
klyne1

Great podcast

Wow, this is an incredibly interesting story. My heart goes out to these victims and families. Sukey and her team have done a great job making this podcast.
Calvin0613

Podcast

I love this podcast I need more 😂
BujiiE

GREAT WORK SO FAR

I am in love with this podcast!!!!! The corruption within the prison system is unjust!!! No one within this podcast can make sense of what happened to Valentino and it saddens me of how these people do their own and then how they do those within their custody! Thank you, to the narrator because this story has been very informative! Can’t wait to hear more!!!
Johnisrad

KQED = A++

Incredibly reported with beautiful and heartbreaking storytelling.