Donna Adelson’s First Holiday in Prison: Former Inmates Reveal the Truth & Realities Behind Bars

As the justice system tightens its grip on the Adelson family, Donna Adelson, Charlie Adelson, and three others are now behind bars for the murder of Florida State Professor Dan Markel—a case that continues to captivate the nation. For Donna, this marks her first holiday season in prison, facing the reality of a life sentence for her role in the murder-for-hire plot that shattered her own family and shocked Tallahassee.

In this STS episode, Emmy Award-winning host Joel Waldman is joined by #BestGuests, including formerly incarcerated women, who pull back the curtain on what really happens behind prison walls. They reveal what first-timers like Donna Adelson can expect—from housing units and daily routines to inmate politics and the emotional crash that hits hardest during the holidays. Our experts also detail what life looks like now for long-term inmates like Katherine “Katie” Magbanua, who has been living this reality for years.

We break down the psychological toll, the power struggles, the silence, the surveillance, and the stark difference between county jail and state prison.

If you follow the Adelson case, prison life realities, or major true-crime breakthroughs, you won’t want to miss this one.

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