A record that’s expunged is supposed to be gone, so why can it still cost someone their job years later? In this episode, Amber and Jason chat with Brook Davis, a Memphis educator, veteran, and mom whose life changed in an instant after a years of domestic abuse and an acute crisis led to a conviction. Brook speaks with rare clarity about what it feels like when the system tells your story for you, especially when law enforcement power and public narratives are stacked on one side.

We also dig into veterans court and diversion programs, including what they demand and what they can make possible. Brook completed an intense 18-month path that ended in expungement, then translated her experience into teaching incarcerated youth inside a juvenile detention center. For more than a decade, she served as the kind of credible messenger young people in the justice system need, proving that rehabilitation and reentry can be real.

Then a change in facility ownership triggered a new background check, and Brook was suddenly told her background was “unfavorable” without any details, transparency, or clear appeal. We talk about expungement loopholes, “matters of fact” hiring decisions, clean slate laws, and why second-chance policy fails when agencies can access hidden data and keep it secret. 

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A single accusation can redraw your entire life, especially when the system is under pressure to “clear the books.” In this conversation, Amber and Jason are joined by Ryan from Connecticut, who walks us through a path that starts with a New Haven childhood filled with sports, community programs, and a deep love of reading, then collides with policing tactics, media narratives, and courtroom dynamics that can make innocence feel irrelevant.

Ryan shares what it’s like to be treated as a prime suspect without understanding you’re even being watched, to be arrested publicly at gunpoint, and to see your name and face broadcast before trial. From there, we dig into the machinery behind wrongful conviction stories: a case built on the testimony of a single informant, the way jury selection can tilt outcomes across racial and economic divides, and how “felony murder” charges can multiply exposure even when the facts do not add up.

We also put real numbers on the trial penalty. Ryan explains why he refused an 18-year plea deal, then received a 100-year sentence after trial, later won an appeal, and still faced the brutal reality that an overturned conviction does not automatically mean freedom. Finally, we talk reentry and healing: halfway house support, rebuilding work skills, and the lasting psychological impact of incarceration, from fear around law enforcement to learning how to trust again.

Want to support Ryan's efforts to push back on the system? Visit: https://www.givesendgo.com/help-fund-ryans-fight-for-accountability

If Ryan’s story moves you, subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, and leave a review so more people can find Amplified Voices. 

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The first time Shauna Jones shares her story publicly, she starts in a place most people never imagine: being born into custody and growing up inside a life shaped by state systems. We talk about Arizona’s history, what power looks like behind prison walls, and how public narratives can erase consent and blame survivors when harm happens in custody. This conversation stays grounded in lived experience while asking bigger questions about the criminal legal system, institutional violence, and what society calls “justice.”

We follow Shauna through childhood instability, intergenerational incarceration, and the grief that comes from losing the few stable anchors a kid can cling to. She describes building a family of her own, surviving a near-death assault, and the unraveling that led to her 2014 arrest. From there, we get an unfiltered look at jail and prison: classification-based segregation, denied programming, retaliation for advocating, and the exhausting choices families make just to stay connected through visits, calls, and paid messaging.

After release in 2023, Shauna explains why reentry is not a finish line. We dig into the containment model, probation and surveillance, mandated treatment, polygraphs, and the sex offense registry, including the hidden punishment that lands on children and loved ones through stigma, digital exposure, and loss of privacy. Shauna also shares the work she’s doing now through the Collaborative Justice Institute to translate lived experience into policy language, and she draws a direct line between mass incarceration, foster care, and adoption timelines that can separate families through policy as much as force.

If this conversation expands how you think about incarceration, reentry, and reform, subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review so more people can find these voices. What part of Shauna’s story stayed with you most?

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One decision at 19 can echo for decades, especially when the criminal legal system is built to keep consequences rolling long after a sentence ends. In this episode of Amplified Voices, Jason and Amber sit down with Alex Brown to trace that full arc: a childhood in Connecticut, a late ADHD diagnosis, a college path that felt within reach, and then a crash that took a life and pulled her into court, prison, and years of post conviction supervision.

Alex walks us through her experience, the heaviness of her own emotional accountability, as well as the slow grind of court dates, the fear of not knowing your sentence until it happens, and the way reentry becomes a second sentence. We get specific about probation and parole: strict appointments, drug testing, shifting expectations from one office to another, and the impossible math of “get housing and get a job” while facing stigma and discrimination. She also shares about bringing and winning a discrimination case when doors to higher education were closed in her face.

Then the conversation turns to what happened inside Connecticut’s women’s prison and why prison reform has to confront power. Alex shares what she witnessed about trauma, motherhood, racial disparity, and a culture that enables sexual abuse by correctional officers. We also dig into the policy work she is involved in now, including codifying Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) protections at the state level so safety standards and confidential reporting do not disappear when politics shift.

Alex can be reached at alexbrownct@outlook.com and on social media at AlexBrown CT on Facebook and Instagram.

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A teen tries to outrun pain, finds cocaine, and goes from a kid coming of age, to a daily user in a matter of weeks. Then come the crimes, the fear, the SWAT arrest, and a sentence so extreme it reshapes his entire identity: 32 years of prison time at 18 years old. In this episode of Amplified Voices, Jason and guest host, Kim are joined by Jesse Crosson, lived-experience advocate, activist and author of The Best Part of Prison, to talk through what led to that three-month freefall and what it actually takes to rebuild a life after real harm.

We get specific about the emotional engine underneath the story: childhood chaos, feeling unseen, taking on adult responsibility too early, and the way anger can sit quietly for years before it erupts. Jesse shares, how acceptance differs from resignation, and why accountability becomes a starting line instead of a life sentence. We also talk about practical tools he uses then and now, including meditation, therapy, and daily check-ins that help him stop reacting and choose his next move.

After 19 years, a conditional pardon brings him home into a world transformed by COVID, and he’s honest about survivor’s guilt and the role of luck and privilege in reentry. 

From there, we follow his work with the Second Chancer Foundation and Central Virginia Community Justice, including restorative justice and court diversion, plus the hard truth that community healing often depends on storytelling, trust, and real work, not punishment alone. 

Learn more about Jesse at https://jessecrosson.com

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On this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason speak with Bessie Elmore who shares how a single phone call shattered the illusion of normal and sent her family into a world of warrants, headlines, courtrooms, and prisons. Everything seemed to move too fast for the truth to catch up. What followed wasn’t a miracle; it was grit. Across decades, Bessie turned confusion into literacy, fear into strategy, and isolation into community power. We walk through the shock of an FBI knock, the weight of a three-day trial that ended with her son receiving a natural life sentence, and the moment at a prison window when a mother and son made a promise to keep each other alive.

From there, the story widens. Bessie and her daughter learned the rules no one explains, how habeas deadlines close doors, how narratives get weaponized, and how transfers can endanger or protect someone inside. They built alliances with advocates and officials, leaned on faith, and used books as lifelines. Along the way, she realized her family was not alone. 

Straight Talk Support Group was born, first as a handful of chairs in a rented room, later as a statewide network, and now as a global Zoom community where families share tools, rides, contacts, and courage. The approach is practical and fierce: take notes, make calls, escalate respectfully, and never accept “no” as the end of the story.  

If this moved you, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more families find these tools.

About Bessie Elmore: 

Ms. Elmore is the executive Director of Straight Talk Support Group and has over 25 years of experience in the field of self-help and designing programs for reentry, domestic violence victims, and grandparents raising their grandchildren. As Founder and CEO of Turning Corners Alliance, Ms. Elmore also taught classes at Durham Technical Community College on job readiness, computer skills and resume writing skills. She was also facilitator at the Troy House before it closed its doors in 2017.

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In episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason chat with Joshua Hoe about incarceration, reentry and renewal. During the course of the conversation we get a front-row seat to accountability, reentry built on constraints: registry rules that make simple walks risky, five-hour weekday windows on parole, and landlords who rarely open doors. Josh turns that maze into a practice of workarounds—writing web content with a word processor offline, uploading from monitored terminals, and negotiating permissions with persistence. The throughline is strategy: learn the unwritten rules, solve for the next step, and document every decision. That mindset carries him from a volunteer seat to national reform tables, where sharp questions at conferences and targeted online campaigns open unexpected doors.

Then comes the inflection point: consulting on criminal justice reform during the First Step Act push, pressing forward to help others, realizing injustice even when it isn't his own, watching a U.S. senator read language he helped craft on the Senate floor. It’s a reminder that power can start from a shared kitchen in a halfway house if paired with understanding, connection, discipline and an eye for moments that matter. His closing advice is simple and invitational: walk into every room like you belong there, and keep hustling to create your next opportunity.

Joshua B. Hoe is the Senior Policy Manager at Dream.Org
Josh has a background in public speaking, debate, and public policy research. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in International Relations, is a former national college debate champion (1990), and was a long-time college debate coach.

Since returning from incarceration in 2013, Josh has been a Policy Analyst, a lobbyist, a social media and messaging consultant, an organizer, a debate consultant, and the host and creator of the Decarceration Nation Podcast. His work is guided by bringing people back from incarceration better.

Josh loves alternative music and used to DJ as well as play in several punk and post-punk bands in the 1980s

If this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs a blueprint and a push. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the moment that hit you hardest—we read every word.

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Justice shouldn’t confuse accountability with exile. That’s the heartbeat of the conversation Amber & Jason had w Dr. Reece, a survivor whose near-fatal domestic violence experience led her from theater stages to forensic psychology & into the powerful world of restorative justice circles inside prisons. Her story begins with a family divided by a decades-old case and moves through the practical realities survivors face—housing, work, safety—alongside the emotional aftermath that the legal process rarely addresses.

We dig into the shock of hearing an officer call the man who harmed her “a perfect gentleman,” the moment an ADA said she wasn’t her lawyer, and the system’s narrow notion of accountability as “as many years as we can get.” Dr. Reece wanted something different: for the harm to be named and addressed, and for the person who caused it to change. That conviction took her underground—literally—into prison basements where survivors and people who committed serious harm sit face to face, ask why, and do the hard work of repair. The result is profound: "lifers" often become stable leaders, credible messengers who interrupt violence and mentor youth more effectively than any billboard campaign.

We also discuss the explosion of life sentences and LWOP in the United States, why risk and rehabilitation get ignored for politics, and what the research actually shows about dangerousness over time. Dr. Reece shares the goals of Drop LWOP New England—creating meaningful opportunities for release through second look, parole, and commutation—and explains Connecticut’s Domestic Violence Survivor Justice Act (DVSJA), which recognizes the link between victimization and later criminalization. This isn’t softness on harm; it’s smarter public safety rooted in evidence, context, and real human change.

If you care about survivor healing, reentry, & safer communities, this conversation offers a different map: connection over separation, truth over slogans, and hope as a condition for transformation. Subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us: what does meaningful accountability look like to you?

About Dr. Brashani Reece: 

It’s rare for a survivor of violent crime to become a leading advocate for the very people the system is designed to punish. But Dr. Brashani Reece's journey is far from typical.
 
 As the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Drop LWOP New England, Dr. Reece's path to activism and commitment grew as she became a trained facilitator, working with incarcerated people and witnessing the transformative power of accountability and personal growth. She now co-leads Drop LWOP New England with her husband, Steven "Farooq" Quinlan, who is serving a life without parole sentence in Rhode Island. Her work is a testament to the belief that healing is possible and that even the most extreme sentences are not a solution. 
 

 Dr. Reece brings both a scholar’s rigor and a survivor’s empathy to the fight against extreme prison sentences. 

In addition to its website, the Drop LWOP New England can be found at its website, on Blue Sky, and on Instagram. 

Dr. Reece encourages people to Take the Pledge to end extreme prison sentences.

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What happens when turning 18 transforms a teenage relationship into a serious crime? In this conversation, Jason and Amber speak with Heather who shares her gut-wrenching journey through the criminal legal system.

With remarkable vulnerability, Heather reveals how a small-town teen romance led to an arrest warrant, interrogation by police, and eventually a plea deal resulting in four years in prison and ten years on the registry. The cruel irony? Shortly after her arrest, Indiana passed "Romeo and Juliet" laws that would have made her case a minor offense, but she couldn't benefit from them because she was charged months earlier.

The devastating ripple effects of her conviction touch every aspect of Heather's life. From navigating confusing and inconsistent probation and registry requirements that varied by county to the crushing shame that kept her isolated, Heather's story illuminates how our legal system fails young people. Despite these enormous obstacles, she built a remarkable life – earning two degrees, maintaining stable employment for 15 years, marrying, and raising two daughters.

Now 37 and five years removed from registry requirements, Heather still struggles with the psychological aftermath of her conviction. She avoids situations requiring background checks, limiting her involvement in her children's activities, and constantly fears judgment if people discover her past. Yet through therapy and growing advocacy work, she's finding her voice.

Heather's journey raises profound questions about proportionality in punishment, the purpose of registries, and whether our system truly allows for rehabilitation. Her message to others facing similar circumstances resonates with hope: "Keep fighting, keep going. Your story matters, your voice matters. You can go through traumatic, hard things and still make it out the other side."

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In this powerful episode, Amber and Jason meet Fez, who spent 22 years in prison, and Vern, who has volunteered with the Jericho Circle for 25 years. Together, they share the transformative impact of circle work both inside prison walls and beyond.

Fez's story begins with a childhood lacking affection and stability, which paved his path to juvenile detention at 15 and later a 22-29 year sentence. When he first entered prison, his mindset was focused solely on revenge. "I'm going to get out and finish what I started," he recalls thinking. But something profound happened when he encountered the Native American Circle and later the Jericho Circle.

The simple yet powerful structure of circle— where the group focuses on  interconnectedness and shared humanity and participants use a talking stick to ensure each person speaks uninterrupted —created a space where Fez could confront his past, take responsibility, and begin genuine healing. "People share very deep traumatic events in their lives," Fez explains. "We're there supporting them."

What makes Jericho Circle unique is that it operates entirely through volunteers with no government funding. The circle keepers receive no compensation yet continue showing up because, as Vern puts it, "The healing was as deeply felt in me as in anyone else."

Now five years free, Fez has built a successful life and serves as a circle guide himself, creating space for others to heal.

Their story challenges conventional approaches and offers a powerful model of transformation through community, vulnerability, and genuine human connection. 

Visit JerichoCircle.org to learn more about this life-changing work.

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What happens when we replace shame and barriers for people in reentry with resources? Kevin Scott of Community Spring shares his story and work with direct cash assistance for justice-impacted people as part of this insightful conversation with Amplified Voices co-hosts, Jason and Amber.

Kevin's story begins in the chaos of childhood trauma – a family member struggling with addiction, a kidnapping, and his own early descent into substance use. Despite multiple attempts at recovery, Kevin eventually found himself serving a four-year prison sentence in Florida's Department of Corrections, where the heat was unbearable and hope seemed impossible.

Yet even amongst the harsh and dehumanizing prison environment, Kevin discovered unexpected paths to healing. He became responsible for the prison band room, tapping into his passion for music. More profoundly, he discovered meditation, which forced him to confront his lifelong pattern of seeking escape and "oblivion" rather than facing reality. This practice became the foundation for his lasting recovery and transformed his understanding of himself.

Upon release, Kevin faced the brutal realities of reentry – sleeping in a homeless shelter parking lot, struggling with probation fees, and battling the constant threat of reincarceration for inability to pay. The system that claimed to rehabilitate had no interest in his actual success. 

Despite these barriers, Kevin found stability and eventually connected with Community Spring, where he and others helped create Just Income – a groundbreaking program providing $800 monthly to formerly incarcerated people with no strings attached.

The results have been extraordinary: a 31% reduction in recidivism, nearly halving money-related probation violations, and significantly improved mental health and employment outcomes. As Director of Guaranteed Income, Kevin has overseen the distribution of over $1 million to 157 recipients, proving that "money and kindness" outperform surveillance and control.

Beyond the numbers lies a profound truth captured by one participant: "Hope goes a long way for people who are accustomed to hopelessness." Kevin's work demonstrates that viewing formerly incarcerated people through a lens of humanity rather than criminality creates better outcomes for individuals and communities alike.

Featured in an award-winning documentary and major news outlets, Community Spring is not only transforming lives in Gainesville—it’s becoming a replicable model for communities across the country.

More About Kevin Scott: 

A formerly incarcerated advocate, Kevin Scott has been instrumental in advancing policies that remove economic barriers for justice-impacted people. His work has helped end unpaid prison labor contracts, pass Florida’s first Fair Chance Hiring ordinance, eliminate fines and fees, and secure free phone calls for incarcerated individuals and their families.

Kevin’s efforts as Director of Guaranteed Income at Community Spring have received national recognition for their bold, evidence-based approach to reentry and economic justice. 

Outside of work, Kevin is a devoted Zen meditation practitioner, a soccer fan, and the proud father of one brilliant daughter and two idiot cats.

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason chat with defense attorney, Laurie Jubelirer who walks us through her remarkable 37-year legal journey that began in prosecution and transformed into passionate defense advocacy.

Growing up in a family of legal and public service professionals—with a father who served as senator for 32 years and a grandfather who was a judge—Jubelirer entered the legal profession driven by the mantra "make a difference." But after years in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, she began noticing troubling patterns. Victims were being treated as tools for prosecution rather than individuals with agency. The system prioritized winning cases over finding true justice. Something had to change for her.

Today, as a defense attorney with her own practice, Laurie witnesses first-hand the devastating human cost of our criminal justice system. She shares shocking stories of medical neglect in Pennsylvania prisons, talks about due process issues, over-sentencing, conviction integrity and much more.

About Laurie:

Laurie Jubelirer is the owner of Jubelirer Law, LLC, and her law practice in Montgomery County is devoted to helping individuals facing criminal charges, violations of their civil rights and wrongful convictions. She opened her law practice twelve years ago in 2013. Prior to opening Jubelirer Law, she worked as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and as a Deputy Attorney General in the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Ms. 

Laurie writes about the experiences of her clients and publishes them with permission in a quarterly column and on social media platforms with the hope that they will bring about positive changes in the criminal justice system. Ms. Jubelirer is a member of Women Owned Law; the Corrections Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association; the Montgomery Bar Association Criminal Defense Committee and Judiciary Committee; and a Board member of Congregation Kol Ami in Elkins Park.

Find her online at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriejubelirer/

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Gus Marks-Hamilton shares his powerful journey from teenage arrest through incarceration to becoming an advocate for criminal justice reform with the ACLU's Smart Justice Campaign.

• Growing up in a stable middle-class family with teacher parents before first encountering the legal system at age 16
• Finding structure and purpose through employment at Blockbuster Video after his initial arrest
• Experiencing the devastating impact of policy changes while incarcerated that arbitrarily extended his sentence
• Navigating the challenges of halfway houses and probation during reentry without meaningful support
• Pursuing education after release, earning a Master's in Social Work despite barriers for people with felony convictions
• Successfully receiving a pardon in 2023 after a lengthy, emotional application process
• Channeling lived experience into advocacy work to create systemic change in Connecticut's criminal legal system

After navigating the challenges of halfway houses, probation, educational discrimination, and the emotionally grueling pardon process, Gus now works with the ACLU's Smart Justice Campaign. His powerful insight – "I'm the best version of myself when I'm connected to other people" – has become both personal philosophy and professional mission. He's transformed from someone caught in the system to someone working to fundamentally change it.

Whether you're personally impacted by the criminal legal system, work within it, or simply want to understand its human toll, Gus's story offers hope. Connect with him on social media to learn how you can join the movement for a more just system that truly enables rehabilitation and community connection.

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About Gus: 

Gus Marks-Hamilton is the campaign manager at the ACLU of Connecticut. He joined the ACLU-CT Smart Justice campaign in 2018 to advocate for fair, just and humane policy reforms to the criminal legal system. Gus’s primary responsibilities include building the ACLU-CT’s advocacy infrastructure, strengthening its partnerships with key stakeholders, prioritizing directly impacted communities and individuals, and executing strategic issue-based campaigns. Gus is passionate about promoting the civic and political engagement of people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system and has lobbied for dozens of pieces of legislation to protect people’s civil rights and liberties. 

 Gus is a Licensed Master Social Worker and received his master’s degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, where he is also an Adjunct Professor. He is a board member at Community Partners In Action which provides services for people affected by the criminal legal system, proud uncle to his nieces and nephews and compliant human companion to his dog, Frank 

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Discover the story of Joe, a former high school football star, whose life took a dramatic turn, as a young man looking for purpose in unhealthy ways, Amber and Jason speak with Joe about his early influences, the choices he made, his experience with incarceration and his journey to accountability and repair. 

From the exuberance of youth to the stark reality of prison life, Joe reveals how he grappled with incarceration and the decisions that led to his convictions, including the moment he was confronted by law enforcement.  Joe's candid account provides an honest perspective on the stigmas surrounding sex offense convictions and the racial dynamics at play in the justice system.

Now a passionate advocate for change through self-compassion, self-reflection and positive goal setting Joe is on a mission to help others navigate their paths to recovery and reintegration into society through his Pathfinder program. He shares his aspirations to foster community support and accountability for those impacted by the criminal legal system, emphasizing that everyone has a story worth telling and a more positive path available.

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Join Amplified Voices co-hosts, Amber and Jason for a compelling conversation with Justyna, an inspiring professional dedicated to forensic psychology and social work. Justyna shares her remarkable journey from community-based treatment and social work to her time working at Rikers.

From her academic experiences at John Jay College and Hunter College to her first job in an outpatient program, her passion for helping people thrive is palpable. Justyna provides an enlightening perspective on the importance of supporting people as they navigate the complexities of re-entry, while also addressing the emotional toll it takes on treatment providers.

Our discussion delves deep into the systemic hurdles faced by those re-entering society after incarceration. Justyna sheds light on the harsh realities and counterproductive nature of housing restrictions while addressing emotional strain experienced both by individuals on parole and registries and those who support them. We challenge common misconceptions about conviction registries and emphasize the critical need for public education to enhance community safety.

The conversation also explores Justyna’s time as a clinical supervisor at Rikers Island, where she witnessed people with severe mental health conditions or developmental disabilities being locked in cells without medication or human interaction for weeks and sometimes months. While her intent in taking the job was to bring light to a dark place, it became clear to her that bearing witness on what she saw there was the best way to help.

Motivated by her experiences, Justyna has taken bold steps to sound the alarm on the inhumane treatment of people at Rikers and campaign for systemic change behind the walls and beyond. She has also been focusing on voting rights and education for formerly incarcerated individuals. Her journey highlights the power of advocacy and the importance of using one's voice to drive meaningful change.

Read: Detainees locked in cells for weeks: whistleblower
Watch: Justyna's testimony in front of the Board of Corrections

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What if a single phone call could turn your entire world upside down? In this heartfelt episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason are in conversation with  Shawn Barrera-Leaf, whose family faced a seismic shift in August 2017. Just as Shawn was preparing for her eldest son's wedding, she received the shocking news that her youngest son, an aspiring doctor, had been arrested on a serious charge. Listen as Shawn opens up about the initial shock, confusion, and emotional turmoil that enveloped her family during this unimaginable time.

Join us as we navigate the complexities of the criminal legal system through Shawn's eyes. She shares the family's journey through accountability, court proceedings, the significant financial and emotional strains, and the critical role of mental health counseling in helping them cope. You'll hear about the stark realities of mandatory minimum sentencing and the often-overlooked human aspects of legal battles. Shawn's story sheds light on the resilience required to endure and the importance of supportive people and networks that provided solace during their darkest days.

In the latter part of our conversation, we explore Shawn's inspiring involvement in advocacy work. Discover how connecting with Michigan Citizens for Justice and founding United Voices for Sex Offense Reform provided her with a sense of purpose and community. Celebrate with us the power of unity and collective action as we reflect on the hope and strength that can emerge from connections amidst significant adversity.

About Shawn:
Shawn Barrera-Leaf, a Michigan native, began her journey into criminal justice advocacy in 2017 when her son’s conviction drastically altered their lives.

As the Executive Director of United Voices for Sex Offense Reform (UV4SOR) a national nonprofit, Shawn leads the organization to challenge punitive laws, raise awareness about the harm inflicted by the carceral system, and promote healing. UV4SOR’s advocacy efforts convey that justice is not about retribution, but about restoring dignity, hope, and the belief in second chances. She serves on the board of CURE-SORT and is actively involved in the steering committee of the National Coalition Against Conviction Registries comprised of 30+ organizations working together to abolish the Sex Offense Registry and its regime. Shawn can be reached at sbleaf@uv4sor.org or through the
website UV4SOR

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What happens when a career in law enforcement collides with unexpected personal and legal challenges? In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason discover Joe and Amy's extraordinary journey. Joe, a former law enforcement officer, shares his story of camaraderie and disillusionment within the justice system. He opens up about his middle-class upbringing in Michigan, his educational and athletic pursuits, and what he saw in the system that led him to adopt a more empathetic view towards incarcerated people.

Joe recounts the bewildering experience of facing allegations that challenged his understanding of the law and his own actions. Explore the profound impact on Joe and Amy's life as they navigate post-incarceration challenges, from probation and registry restrictions to societal judgment. Learn how they built a supportive relationship and a loving environment for their son, despite encountering significant hurdles like employment difficulties and community stigma. Together, Joe and Amy's story is a testament to the power of resilience, the strength of familial support, and the ongoing fight for justice and fair treatment.

Organizations mentioned in the episode:
United Voices for Sex Offense Reform
Women Against Registry

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Life can twist and turn in unexpected ways, as Greg Mingo, a Harlem native, profoundly understands. His story, one of resilience amidst the vibrant yet challenging streets of New York, unfolds as he shares the gravity of his choices and the socioeconomic forces that impacted his life. Our latest episode invites you into an intimate conversation with Mingo, revealing the stark realities youth face, navigating through a world that's often pitted against them, and the consequences that follow.

From a life-altering injury to a wrongful conviction that led to decades of imprisonment, Mingo's personal trials are a testament to the human spirit's capacity for endurance and transformation. His journey through the criminal justice system exposes battles of a legal case that captivated media attention. Yet, amid the harshness of incarceration, Mingo's will to educate himself, advocate for others, and his ultimate triumph in securing clemency with the help of a high profile campaign (#FreeGregMingo), illuminates a path of redemption and action that continues to inspire at 69 years old.

In an age where second chances can be scarce, Mingo's advocacy work shines a beacon on the importance of reform and empathy within the legal system. He shares with listeners the value of the 'clemency collective', a group dedicated to system reform, and invites us all to engage with the transformative potential of individuals having an opportunity to redefine their lives.  Join Amber, Jason and Mingo on Amplified Voices  Mingo's continues to uplift his voice - a rallying cry for change, hope, and understanding.


About Greg Mingo:
Greg Mingo is a clemency grantee who spent over 40 years in prison following a wrongful conviction. He was released in September 2021. Greg has taught the law, communications, domestic violence, and fatherhood.  He is an ambassador for the innocent project. He is a community leader for Releasing Aging People in Prison (RAPP) advocating for parole reform.  He also works with CUNY Law School on clemency, resentencing and parole issues. He co-founded the Clemency Collective to advocate for the granting of clemency on a rolling basis. He is a consultant for In Arm’s Reach a foundation that tutors and mentors the children of incarcerated parents.  Additionally, Greg works with Hudson Link for higher education in prison, volunteering his time to build transitional housing for men and women returning home. Change.org has recognized Greg as one of the top change makers in 2021 and again in 2022. In January, Greg was honored with a proclamation from the New York State Senate for his work to improve opportunities for the wrongly convicted and those who deserve a second chance. Greg is an advocate for social, racial, and criminal justice reform, and so much more.

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When life presents us with a labyrinth of trials, it's the voices of the resilient that guide us through the darkness. D's life story, as featured on Amplified Voices, illuminates such a path, marked by a turbulent childhood and other struggles.  This episode promises an intimate exploration into the human spirit's capacity for endurance, highlighting D's poignant experiences with personal sacrifice, infertility, pregnancy loss, and the complexities of the foster-to-adopt system. D's raw honesty offers listeners a chance to understand the delicate balance between seeking support and preserving personal boundaries in times of crisis.

As we pivot to the legal system, the conversation  magnifies the inadequacies of an adversarial approach to harm and the stigmatization that comes with the "sex offender" label. Through the eyes of an individual who transitioned from fearful isolation under the registry's shadow to becoming a beacon of hope for others, we unveil the hurdles and triumphs that define the journey. This episode reminds us that behind labels and stigmas lie individual stories that deserve to be heard and understood. Join Amber, Jason and D on Amplified Voices to witness how courage and advocacy can reshape the narrative of struggle into one of hope and community.

D is an active member of the Florida Action Committee and a founder of  SHINE.

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When we think of motherhood, the images that typically come to mind are those of joy, love, and celebration. But what happens when the journey to motherhood unfolds in a place designed for punishment, not nurturing? Our guest, Brittany, exposes the stark and heartbreaking realities of becoming a mother in prison. We journey with her through the heartache of pregnancy behind bars, the profound isolation, and the harsh judgment of society.
 
Is it possible to find healing and self-discovery in such a bleak environment? Brittany's story says yes. She recounts the harrowing experience of giving birth shackled to a hospital bed, waking up to a corrections officer in the room, and then embarking on a journey toward self-discovery and healing. Her story peels back the layers of the prison system, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing the underlying issues that lead to incarceration.
 
Finally, we delve into Brittany's life post-incarceration and the impact it had on her relationships and personal development. Brittany's story is not just one of struggle and hardship, but also one of resilience, self-reflection, and determination. This episode underscores the importance of looking beyond assumptions and recognizing the potential and humanity of individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. Brittany's story is a testament to the power of hope and the human capacity for change.
 
 About Brittany:
 
 Brittany is a determined advocate for human rights, youth justice, and legal policy reforms at the state, national, and international level. She has worked as a Justice Advisor for CTJA since 2021. 

She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, and she is currently pursuing a J.D and Masters in Public Policy at UConn. Brittany personifies the power of education as an alum of Yale Law School’s Access to Law Fellowship and a Frederic Bastiat Fellow of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. 

Brittany brings her unique blend of lived experience and scholarship to her many leadership roles; she serves as Project Manager of the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee with the Tow Youth Justice Institute, Smart Justice Leader with the ACLU of Connecticut, International Justice Exchange Project lead with the Institute of Municipal and Regional Policy, a member of the New England Commission on the Future of Higher Education in Prison, and Assistant Director of the National Prison Debate League.

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Ever asked yourself, "What's the real cost of addiction?" In this first part of a two-episode conversation on Amplified Voices, special guest Brittany LaMarr helps us tackle this complex question head-on as she shares her compelling journey through addiction and recovery.

Brittany, a Connecticut native, candidly unveils the trials and tribulations of her life, starting with the early exposure to her father's addiction and subsequent incarceration. The impact of these experiences on her life choices forms the crux of our discussions. Brittany gives the listener raw insight into her high school days, the beginnings of substance abuse, and the pivotal point that led her behind bars at just 22. Her personal revelations serve as a potent reminder of the need to challenge addiction stigma and advocate for alternatives to incarceration. 

Brittany shares not just the pains of addiction, but also the harsh reality of survival and the uphill battle for recovery. Listen as she recounts the dehumanizing experience within prison walls and the road to recovery, constantly hindered by the lack of resources and support. This episode is more than just a conversation; it's a call to action to address systemic inadequacies and the urgent need for change. So, tune in and join us on this journey of revelation, resilience, and hope.

About Brittany: 

Brittany is a determined advocate for human rights, youth justice, and legal policy reforms at the state, national, and international level. She has worked as a Justice Advisor for CTJA since 2021. 

She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, and she is currently pursuing a J.D and Masters in Public Policy at UConn. Brittany personifies the power of education as an alum of Yale Law School’s Access to Law Fellowship and a Frederic Bastiat Fellow of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. 

Brittany brings her unique blend of lived experience and scholarship to her many leadership roles; she serves as Project Manager of the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee with the Tow Youth Justice Institute, Smart Justice Leader with the ACLU of Connecticut, International Justice Exchange Project lead with the Institute of Municipal and Regional Policy, a member of the New England Commission on the Future of Higher Education in Prison, and Assistant Director of the National Prison Debate League.

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber & Jason talk with Cierra Cobb, a paralegal, activist, and advocate for incarcerated people and their families. From her heart of resilience and strength, Cierra takes us on a poignant journey of survival and action.

In a world grappling with a global pandemic, Cierra reconnects and marries Jeffrey, an old friend who has been falsely convicted of a crime and incarcerated.  Jeffrey’s troubling capital case, paired with the lack of a substantial defense strategy from his legal representation, sheds light on the imbalance, injustice, and bureaucracy within the American criminal legal system. His story illustrates the gravity of plea bargaining and the oft-ignored challenges posed by both systemic racism and the underfunding of public defense offices.

Learn about her work as an advocate and prison jail coordinator with Emancipate NC and her podcast, The Blacklight Mass Incarceration Show. Cierra's story is a rallying call to all - to remain steadfast, champion what you believe in, and never yield in the face of adversity. 

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On this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason speak with C, a woman who has lived through the unimaginable - losing her mother at a young age, getting thrust into the foster system, and grappling with overdiagnosis and overmedication, displacement, and disconnection. We learn about her journey, from her challenging upbringing to her involvement in the sex trade and her initial encounters with the criminal legal system as a young, transgender woman.

C talks about the labels society imposes, and the struggles of being over-stigmatized within an oppressive system. We listen to C's experiences in a men's prison facility, the threats she faced, as well as her fight for proper healthcare. Strikingly, C shares about obtaining academic success amidst this turbulence- reminding us of the strength of the human spirit, and the power of belief and investment.

Finally, we dive into the world of policy sentencing, its implications on individuals like C, and the immense courage it takes to stand against the system. This episode is more than a story; it's a call to thought, a plea for understanding, and a catalyst for change.

She has written for Filter Magazine, Shadowproof, the Appeal, Yes! Magazine and maintains an active presence on Twitter.

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How does society treat people based on their criminal conviction history and how can we better understand the unique experiences of people who are convicted of sexual offenses? Why, in an age where second chances and demands to reduce mass incarceration have become mainstream, are people with these convictions often excluded from reform and relief efforts? In this episode of Amplified Voices, Jason and Amber speak with Emily Horowitz, a professor of sociology and criminal justice at St. Francis College, ahead of the release of her new book: From Rage to Reason: Why We Need Sex Offense Laws Based on Facts Not Fear. 

During this conversation, Professor Horowitz details her own personal and professional journey, along with powerful stories from the years she spent  interviewing people impacted by the registry. The discussion reveals a deep empathy that comes from being in close proximity to people who are experiencing banishment and stigma, as well as an exploration of how laws based on vengeance rather than justice or evidence create new forms of harm while failing to address the real and pervasive problem of sexual violence.

About Emily Horowitz, PhD

Professor Emily Horowitz teaches courses in sociology at St. Francis College. She is the founder and co-director of the Justice Initiative. Her scholarly research addresses the causes and consequences of mass incarceration, with a focus on the harms of conviction registries and banishment laws.

Her latest book, From Rage to Reason: Why We Need Sex Crime Laws Based on Facts, Not Fear (Bloomsbury Academic, 2023), explores the human carnage wrought by decades of draconian and fear-based sex offense policies. She is also the author of Protecting Our Kids?: How Sex Offender Laws Are Failing Us (Praeger, 2015), which was awarded a 2016 Choice Outstanding Academic Title by the American Library Association, and co-editor, with Law Professor Larry Dubin, of Caught in the Web of the Criminal Justice System: Autism, Developmental Disabilities and Sex Offenses.

Professor Horowitz frequently engages in advocacy efforts and public scholarship aimed at challenging myths and misinformation that lead to ineffective and draconian laws. Select recent news publications and media include The Real Monsters (a 2022 essay in Inquest: A Decarceral Brainstorm), a Reason article about the man wrongfully convicted of raping prominent author Alice Sebold (2021), a NY Daily News editorial about the Supreme Court hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson (2022), and participation in an Intelligence Squared podcast (2023) debating the sex offense registry.

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How does the criminal legal system impact the lives of those involved and their families? Why is Parole Justice so important? Join Jason and Amber on this episode of Amplified Voices as we hear Theresa's powerful story of perseverance during her husband's lengthy incarceration. Visiting an incarcerated loved one is a process riddled with indignities and challenges. In our conversation with Theresa, we explore the emotional toll of visiting her husband in prison, the financial burden of staying connected, and the restrictions placed on communication. Theresa highlights the devastating impact these limitations have on both incarcerated people and their families, as well as shedding light on the inadequacies of healthcare provided to people who are incarcerated in New York.

In this compelling discussion, we dive into Theresa's advocacy work with Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) and the importance of community involvement in criminal legal reform, particularly the urgency of providing opportunities for individuals to be evaluated as they are today rather than by their past. As she shares her journey, Theresa makes it clear that people should not be dying behind the walls when they could be contributing to violence disruption efforts in their communities.

Links

• Theresa featured an article in the Appeal: DYING BEHIND BARS: ANOTHER FORM OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT 
• Elder Parole Bill https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S2423
• Fair &Timely Parole Bill: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/S497

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Jason & Amber speak with LaReese Harvey, a Connecticut native and walking testament to the power of perseverance. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and a formerly incarcerated black woman, she's faced some of the greatest oppression there is. Despite encountering significant obstacles and trauma,  LaResse has committed herself to breaking down the abuse to prison pipeline through her writing, coaching and public advocacy.

LaReese is the author of the book, Buttons Journey,  as well as one of the first inductees into the Great 8, organized by the Connecticut Hall of Change . She welcomes communications and inquiries at buttonsjourney@gmail.com and expresses a sincere thanks to Community Partners in Action for their love and support during her reentry process.

*Trigger warning* This episode includes references to childhood sexual abuse and violence behind bars. Survivors of violence should listen with a support person, listen in chunks or turn the podcast off if needed. 

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Amplified Voices is back!  In this episode, Amber and Jason met with Chris who shares the impact that a conviction, incarceration and registration has had on his plans to serve his country and to lead a good life.  Chris shares his challenges and successes as he works to overcome many of the obstacles he faces as a parent, caregiver, professional and community member forced to register in the state of Florida.

Chris advocates with Florida Action Committee, more information on their work can be found here: https://floridaactioncommittee.org/

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason follow up with Juanita and Sincere following Sincere’s release from prison. Sincere went to prison as a young man and has grown up behind bars, spending 24 years incarcerated in Virginia. In this episode, we get to hear directly from Sincere about the circumstances of Sincere’s release and his experience with reentry. Sincere discusses how he advocated for himself and others while in prison.  Sincere discusses the unanticipated obstacles that he’s faced now that he’s home, with barriers effectively preventing him from living closer to Juanita and other support systems.

Since our prior podcast last aired, Juanita has continued her advocacy and has done some amazing work with FAMM and other organizations. The video featuring the stories of the founders of Sistas in Prison Reform and Sincere's homecoming can be found here.

  Juanita is parts of a group called The Sistas in Prison Reform   https://sistasinprisonreform.com

You can connect with Juanita on Twitter at @Sinita11_

Prior episode with Juanita: Juanita Belton - Becoming Sincere Behind Bars - Season 2 Episode 4 (buzzsprout.com)

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In this episode, Amplified Voices goes global with Jason and Amber's first international guest, Richard Kemick from Canada. During the podcast, Richard shares his experience interacting with his cousin, Christian who is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in a Michigan prison. As they develop a closer relationship, Richard and Christian decided to develop a limited series podcast, titled, Natural Life to share Christian's experiences and humanity with the world, exploring not only deeper questions, but the mundane realities of life behind the walls.

The podcast can be found on all major podcast platforms or directly at http://www.naturallifepodcast.com

You can learn more about Richard's work at https://richardkemick.com

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason speak with Melissa Tanis, a ferocious advocate for parole justice, compassionate release, and children of incarcerated parents. Melissa shares her story of having her father incarcerated when she was five years old and the impact that it had on her own life as well as the lives of her family members. She shares the emotional path she navigated to reconnect with her dad after many years of no contact. She authentically outlines her feelings and understanding of his complex journey through accountability - highlighting the harshness of a system that sees people and the sum of their crime, rather than as complex human beings with the ability to change. Melissa was able to find her father after many years through his participation in the Shakespeare Behind Bars program and the resulting documentary film. After being denied parole and compassionate release based on the nature of his crime, her father passed away in prison.

Melissa is a graduate of Columbia School of Social Work, with a concentration on policy. She is the Policy and Communications Manager for the Center for Justice at Columbia School of Social Work. She has worked for over five years in the Communications and Policy field and has dedicated her work to supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people and their families. She is a member and consultant for the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, an adviser for the New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents, and a volunteer with the Parole Preparation Project. 

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Ray Boyd was incarcerated in 1992, facing a 50 year sentence. He ultimately spent close to 30 years in prison in Connecticut before being released.  Ray experienced Covid 19 while incarcerated and reentry during the pandemic.  Ray shares his story with Amber and Jason. Ray, Amber, and Jason are joined by Barbara Fair from Stop Solitary Connecticut.

You can find Ray's book, Model Inmate on Amazon by clicking here.

In 2021, the Protect Act to limit the use of Solitary Confinement and create oversight for the Department of Corrections was passed by the Connecticut House and Senate. Governor Lamont vetoed the bill, and instead issued an executive order that can be repealed at any time.  In 2022, Connecticut advocates led by Stop Solitary are organizing to finally have the Protect Act signed into law.

You can learn more about Stop Solitary CT visiting here.

Background on The PROTECT Act

An Act Promoting Responsible Oversight and Treatment, and Ensuring Correctional Transparency (PROTECT) Act would: 1) create a Commission for Correctional Oversight made up of formerly incarcerated people, family members, experts in medicine, mental health, and corrections, and representatives from the legislative and executive branch; 2) stop extreme isolation and promote effective alternatives, bringing Connecticut in compliance with international minimum human rights standards; 3) end abusive restraints and dehumanizing strip searches; 4) protect social bonds by guaranteeing incarcerated people a minimum number of free letters and access to contact visits; 5) promote correctional officer wellness by requiring trainings and other strategies to mitigate trauma; and 6) promote transparency by requiring public reporting of key corrections department data. 

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In the opening episode of Season 3, Amber and Jason speak with Nicole, a sixteen-year-old girl who authentically shares the experience of having her life turned upside-down at age twelve when her father was arrested, incarcerated and eventually placed on a public registry. Her journey winds from the initial shock, how she was treated at school, to visiting her father while he was incarcerated, to what happened when he was finally able to come home. She also covers how probation restrictions and public registration affect the entire family and what the adults dealing with children with incarcerated parents can do to help. Her most fervent wish in telling her story is to make sure that other kids facing this difficult road know that they are not alone.

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As the year came to a close, Amplified Voices hosts, Jason and Amber took some time to reflect on everything that 2021 threw at the world. In this candid conversation, they walk listeners through the year;  covering podcast production, behind-the-scenes information, personal triumphs, advocacy victories, guest insights, and so much more. Fans will enjoy a sneak-peek of what's in store for Season 3 as the show continues to serve as a platform to uplift the voices of individuals and families impacted by the criminal legal system in 2022 and beyond.

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason sat down with autism advocate, Nick Dubin to discuss his personal experiences involving his early life, autism diagnosis and ultimately his encounter with the criminal legal system.  Nick also spoke of his desire and work towards using his personal experiences to help others on the spectrum, and his new book.

About: Nick Dubin was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (now ASD-level 1) in 2004. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Oakland University, a Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a Specialist Degree in Psychology and Psy.D. from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology. He has authored many books on autism spectrum disorders including Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety. His latest book is entitled Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Disabilities, and the criminal justice system.

Nick is also on the board of Legal Reform for Intellectually and  Developmentally Disabled (LRIDD). 

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Amber and Jason spoke with Marty and took a deep dive into Marty's life before he took actions that landed him in the criminal legal system. Marty shares the bullying and sexual assaults he endured as a young gay man and how this shaped his response to the world. You can hear him express remorse for his actions and what he learned through the process. He describes some aspects of his time in prison. Marty talks about the support he found with ACSOL (https://all4consolaws.org), how he has rebuilt his life, and the work he does now to support others.   He also talks about his new book "Thanks for the Infamy."   
If you're interested in his book, you can email thanksfortheinfamy@gmail.com, go to https://payhip.com/b/aT86b or send a direct message on Twitter to Marty  @mwmtalent.

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason speak with Mark who authentically shares the shock, pain and sense of brokenness that he and his close relatives felt when they discovered sexual harm had occurred within their family. This incident abruptly plunged his elderly father into the criminal legal system, ultimately revealing that he had dementia. Mark describes how he and his father encountered severe injustice on one hand and acts of kindness on the other, as they were forced to navigate a system that is ill-prepared to accommodate individuals with Alzheimer's and Dementia.

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In this episode, Jason and Amber speak with Morgan Godvin,  a freelance writer, scholar and advocate who spent time behind bars after she sold her best friend heroin and he died of an overdose. In a matter of days, Morgan found herself grappling with the death of her friend while also navigating an unrelenting justice system. Morgan shares her story of addiction and struggle, highlighting how she quickly became aware of racial and socioeconomic disparities in the criminal legal system. She explains how our nation's reliance on incarceration exacerbates addiction and often charges family members, friends, and others who share drugs as murderers while doing nothing to help.

In February of 2020, Morgan was appointed to serve as a commissioner on Oregon’s Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission. In January of 2021, she was appointed by the Oregon Health Authority to the Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council where she was one of 21 Oregonians determining the grant funding that came in tandem with drug decriminalization.

You can learn more about Morgan at https://www.morgangodvin.com/

A listing of her published writings can be found at: https://www.morgangodvin.com/portfolio

Watch Morgan's appearance on CNN here: https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2020/11/14/from-addiction-to-advocacy-for-drug-decriminalization.cnn

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In this special episode, Amber & Jason welcome Stop Solitary CT activist and lead organizer, Barbara Fair, back to the show to discuss Governor Lamont's recent veto of SB 1059, known as the Protect Act. The act, meant to uphold and protect the safety of individuals living and working behind bars, recently passed both houses of the  Connecticut legislature, only to stop short of becoming law with the stroke of the Governor's pen. In order to address the inhumane practices challenged by the bill, the Governor subsequently issued an executive order. During the show, Barbara shares her thoughts on the process, feedback from the people affected, and how everyone in the state of Connecticut can get involved, right AWAY to urge the legislature to act to override the veto.

Listeners can learn more and get involved utilizing the links below:

• Stop Solitary CT can be found at http://www.stopsolitaryct.org
• Find your Connecticut legislators here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/
• Read "A Necessary Tool" CT ViewPoints , CT Mirror by Barbara Fair: https://ctmirror.org/category/ct-viewpoints/a-necessary-tool/
• Our previous episode with Barbara: https://amplifiedvoices.buzzsprout.com/1213727/8257890-barbara-fair-stop-solitary-ct-season-2-episode-5

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In this episode, Jason and Amber catch up with attorney Kathy Flaherty, a fierce advocate for disability rights. During the conversation,  Kathy explores the parallels between the criminal justice and mental health systems, and explains how advocates in both spaces can work together. Kathy walks the audience through her experience with involuntary commitment, law school and the challenges she faced being admitted to the Connecticut bar due to her mental health treatment history.

Kathy currently serves as Executive Director of Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc. (CLRP), a statewide non-profit agency which provides legal services to low income individuals with mental health conditions, who reside in hospitals or the community, on matters related to their treatment, recovery, and civil rights. Prior to coming to CLRP, Kathy spent 15 years as a Staff Attorney at Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc. Kathy combines her personal experience as a recipient of mental health services and her legal background to speak to issues affecting those living with mental health conditions.

Kathy can be found tweeting at @ConnConnection.

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This Amplified Voices conversation with Amber & Jason follows the journey of Anderson Curtis, Senior Field Organizer for Smart Justice with the ACLU of Connecticut. Anderson shares his story, full of examples of both failure and success, as well as emphasizing the people and strategies that helped him during recovery and reentry after incarceration. He encourages those with lived experience to share and advocate, understanding that truth and power are found in forgiving themselves, setting goals, and growing in community with others. 

Anderson also shares thoughts on the work he currently supports at the ACLU and recent coalition efforts towards Clean Slate legislation and criminal justice system transparency in Connecticut. Anderson lives with hope and dignity, advocating for people to access employment and housing despite the barriers of discrimination and disparities.

If you would like to learn more about the ACLU and their Smart Justice Campaign in CT visit http://www.acluct.org

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Barbara Fair is a licensed clinical social worker and social justice activist with Stop Solitary Connecticut who has worked tirelessly for decades to improve prison conditions, bring awareness to the impact incarceration has on children and families, and demand accountability for state violence as it relates to police departments and correctional facilities in Connecticut. She has long called for the abolition of solitary confinement, testifying in support of and organizing on behalf of many legislative reforms.

Amber and Jason caught up with Barbara a few days after a major public hearing for the PROTECT Act (Connecticut Senate Bill 1059) that calls for an end to extreme isolation and abusive restraints, promotes social bonds, ensures the shut down of Northern Correctional Institution, reforms data collection and improves oversight & accountability.  Barbara shared personal stories dating back to the ‘60s through present times. 

Information about Stop Solitary Connecticut and the PROTECT Act  can be found at https://www.stopsolitaryct.org/.

During the show, Barbara also referred to the film The Worst of the Worst: Portrait of a Supermax Prison, a production of the Yale Visual Law Project. The film depicts Connecticut’s sole supermax prison (Northern Correctional) where many inmates are held in solitary confinement for months and even years at a time.  You can watch the film at https://vimeo.com/user7522770/httpvimeocomworstoftheworst.

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Juanita shares the story of her friend, Sincere, who was sentenced to 45 years  for an incident that happened when he was 18.  Then known as Darnell, he signed an Alford plea deal for first degree murder, arson, and use of a firearm. Sincere has grown up behind bars. Juanita continues to advocate for him. 

Juanita is parts of a group called The Sistas in Prison Reform  https://sistasinprisonreform.com

You can connect with Juanita on Twitter at @Sinita11_

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In this episode, Amber & Jason meet Carol, the mother of an intellectually disabled son and a passionate advocate for reform.

She shares how her family was thrust into the world of courtrooms, plea bargains, ankle monitors and public registration after a situation that occurred in 2012. Their story is one of tragedy and triumph, one that shines a light on the fact that criminal prosecutions of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities often lead to disastrous consequences for individuals and their families without any benefit to the public.

In the episode, Carol shares enthusiastically about  LRIDD - Legal Reform for the Intellectually & Developmentally Disabled. Listeners can learn more about their work here: http://www.LRIDD.org

The story of Carol and her family was also featured in a recent article by Chiara Eisner, When People with Intellectual Disabilities  Are Punished, Parents Pay the Price

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Amber and Jason talk with Richard about his experience with Wall Street as part of the Wolf of Wall Street firm. In the conversation, Richard takes us on his journey from prison and all of the collateral consequences  to reentry up through his entrepreneurial efforts focused on others who have been incarcerated. He takes us from New York to Florida to California. 

From Richard's bio on his new site Commissary Club: Richard was the founder and CEO of 70 Million Jobs and 70 Million Staffing. Before launching 70 Million Jobs, Richard served as Director of Defy Ventures, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing incarcerated men and women second chances upon release. Before that, he was a co-founder of the popular nostalgia website, DoYouRemember.com. His career began on Wall Street, where he managed money at Lehman Bros. and Bear Stearns. He eventually went on to found Biltmore Securities, a registered broker-dealer based in South Florida. Richard grew Biltmore to nearly 500 employees and took many companies public. After Biltmore, Richard founded Channels Magazine and launched several successful consumer product and service businesses. Richard was convicted of securities fraud in 2002, arising from his activities in the 1990s and served two years in a Federal prison camp.

https://www.commissary.club
https://www.70millionjobs.com

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Join Amber and Jason as they launch their second season of Amplified Voices with a guest you won't want to miss: Attorney Stefanie Mundhenk. In this episode, Stefanie talks about how her life was altered by an incident at Baylor University. Her journey takes us from Texas to Washington D.C., where she was a graduate law student at Georgetown, and ultimately to Kentucky where she studied for the bar and is now a practicing attorney.

Hear Stefanie explain why she believes the entire criminal legal system needs to be reformed, as she discusses Title IX and her experiences as a public defender.

Stefanie can be followed on Twitter  @philawsostef

Here's a link to an article that she wrote for The Appeal:
I Was Sexually Assaulted. And I Believe Incarcerating Rapists Doesn’t Help Victims Like Me. - The Appeal

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In a rare peek behind the scenes,  Amplified Voices hosts, Jason and Amber round out their first season by reflecting on how the podcast has evolved - exploring how proximity and storytelling have been able to make an impact on the many people who have participated, listened and shared the show with others.  

Through a candid discussion, the hosts highlight the feedback they have received,  what the project has meant to each of them and the many things they have learned from the guests who have trusted them to amplify their inspiring stories of pain, growth, triumph and humanity. They also offer a look at how guests are selected, how the show is organized and produced, and offer a preview of what to expect in season two. 

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Join Jason and Amber for a different perspective, as they speak with Thomas Owen Baker, a veteran and former police officer who shares how his involvement in policing affected him, leading to his strong desire to convert his experiences into  something of social value . He candidly speaks about life as a law enforcement officer and how his perceptions changed over time. After 9 years serving on the force, he decided to enter the academic sphere, focusing his research on police culture, use of force, and qualitative research methods. Tom believes that we must all work toward a society where citizens and their governmental representatives – the police – aren’t so terrified of one another. He hopes his research and outreach can be part of positive solutions.

Thomas is a PhD student in the department of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Missouri-St Louis, a Pat Tillman scholar and podcaster. You can follow him on Twitter @thomasowenbaker

During the show, Thomas mentions a project called Fatal Encounters - which describes itself as a "step toward creating an impartial, comprehensive and searchable database of people killed during interactions with the police." He also mentions:  https://www.trainingreform.org

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Deb Martinez's brother is currently incarcerated in Connecticut. In this episode, Deb shares her experience as an advocate for her brother as well as for other incarcerated individuals and their families. She also talks about when she was the victim of a sexual assault as a teenager, an occurrence that completely changed the trajectory of her life. Like most stories, Deb's is multi-dimensional and one you won't want to miss. Deb can be found on twitter as @victim2advocate, on Facebook or by email at victimtoadvocate@gmail.com. 

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Jason and Amber speak with Tiheba Bain, a mother, student, activist and advocate for formerly incarcerated women and girls. Tiheba shares her experiences: being raised by her grandmother in Brooklyn,  a difficult struggle with addiction, her time behind the walls and the long journey to find her way.

Tiheba is the founder of Women Against Mass Incarceration, a nonprofit organization, located in Bridgeport, CT that exists to  empower, change and re-shape the lives of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and families. They are  a partner organization of the National Council of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women & Girls.  You can find them at http://www.wamict.org.

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason speak with Nancy - a business owner, wife, mother, student and advocate from Iowa. Nancy authentically shares how her family was affected by addiction, incarceration, special probation conditions, mandated treatment, public registration and more.

Her story particularly highlights how broad and often inflexible probation restrictions can deeply affect the lives and mental health of all members of the family. Her journey and aspirations to become a mental health treatment provider illustrate the resilience of families who have been affected by the criminal legal system.

*Trigger warning* This episode includes references to suicidal ideation. Those who have struggled with similar challenges should listen with a support person, listen in chunks or turn the podcast off if needed. 

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Jason and Amber speak with Tricia, mother of four and wife of a man who was convicted of a white collar crime and subsequently incarcerated. Tricia bravely shares her experiences, including how she and her children were affected through the process, the shock of the arrest, coping with co-parenting while a parent is incarcerated and public responses to the idea of white collar crime. She speaks of finding humanity in the most unexpected places and highlights how every family is unique.

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In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber and Jason speak with Andrew,  a pastor from Connecticut who has been impacted by the criminal legal system, both as a family member and as the victim of a crime. Andrew speaks about how the crime and the system has affected his family, congregation, community and more. He shares valuable insights and coping strategies for those who have an incarcerated family member during the age of COVID19, as well as for those who are living with the challenges of a criminal record in a world turned upside-down after incarceration. Finally he speaks about spirituality and the responsibility of individuals of faith to define justice as equality and love, seeking a path to redemption and reconciliation for everyone.

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Daryl is well-known in criminal justice reform circles in Connecticut. Come hear his story of how he turned his life around and gave back to the community through reentry and addiction recovery services. On the evening we're posting this episode, he's being inducted into Connecticut's First Hall of Change. He is founder of Formerly Inc. Daryl, holds state certifications as an Addictions Counselor, Recovery Support Specialist, and a Criminal Justice Professional. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership, both from Springfield College. Prior to entering the human service field, Mr. McGraw held several leadership positions in the hospitality field working for Fortune 500 companies
Here's a link to Formerly Inc  https://formerlyinc.org/

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Tammy shares her journey from being a young mother to serving in the military and being the victim of military sexual trauma.  After becoming a teacher, committing an offense and being impacted by the criminal legal system, she learns to cope with the collateral consequences of a conviction. Her message is one of growth, change and hope as she outlines how she has become an advocate for change. 

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Join Amber and Jason as they have a candid conversation with Adnan Kahn, a man who describes himself as "going from an 8 year-old little league baseball player, to an 18 year-old with a life sentence." During the conversation, Adnan shares his childhood experiences and the factors that lead to his involvement in the criminal legal system. Adnan shares how California's felony murder rule impacted not just his life, but that of thousands of people in the state. His story is one of trauma, accountability, determination, hard work, and hope.

Adnan currently serves as the Executive Director of Re:Store Justice, an organization that was founded in 2017 inside San Quentin State Prison by Adnan Khan, Alexandra Mallick and Sara Sindija. The organization was created to re-imagine our justice system.

For more information about the Canteen Support Project that Adnan mentions during the show visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/823371021475580/about

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Andre is a pastor, former attorney, and advocate. In this episode, Amber and Jason talk with Andre about his involvement in the criminal legal system, how he has healed, and the negative impacts that he and his family have experienced as a result for decades. 

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Hear David's meaningful story of forgiveness, rehabilitation, spirituality and redemption. In this candid conversation, David talks with Amber and Jason about his difficult childhood where he endured physical, mental, and sexual abuse prior to taking the life of his abuser. After spending years in prison, remarkable events grounded in accountability, acceptance and opportunity, helped David evolve into the strong voice for change that he is today!

David can be found in twitter @DavidLeeGarlock

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Jason speaks with Kristen, a mother, wife and outspoken advocate from Michigan. Kristen bravely shares her family’s story of harm, both within her family and as a result of the criminal legal process that denied them the healing that they earnestly sought. Themes explored include interfamilial sexual abuse, generational trauma, family separation, incarceration, restorative justice, aspirations for reconciliation, primary prevention and more.

Resources discussed include the Safer Society Press, Stop It Now, the Children’s Advocacy Center, and Therapy with Harming Father's, Victimized Children and Their Mothers After Parental Child Sexual Assault.

For  more information on efforts to revise Michigan’s public registration scheme, visit https://www.aclumich.org/en/SORA. 

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In this episode of the Amplified Voices Podcast, Amber & Jason speak with special guest, Iran Nazario, about his turbulent childhood, experience in the foster care system,
periods of homelessness and his subsequent immersion in the violent street culture of gang membership. He discusses his involvement in the criminal legal system from the age of fifteen through his twenties. Iran also shares the inspirational story of how a chance encounter set him on a journey to repurpose himself to be a force for change, helping youth to avoid his childhood path. In 2016, he founded the Peace Center of Connecticut where he serves as President/CEO. More information about the Peace Center can be found at http://www.peacecenterofct.org

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In the first full episode of the Amplified Voices Podcast, Amber and Jason talk with Jean, the mother of a child sexual abuse survivor who talks about her experiences dealing with both the harm her family experienced due to the abuse, as well as their experiences with the criminal legal system. Jean shares her thoughts on how her family was affected, her search for answers, what they thought justice should look like, her spirituality, and their journey to advocacy and healing. 

During the episode, Jean discusses her involvement with ACSOL, the Association for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws. Information on this organization can be found at https://all4consolaws.org

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In this 2nd intro, Amber & Jason reflect on upcoming conversations, dig deeper into the types of topics that will be explored, reference their own experiences and reiterate the goal of the podcast: uplifting and empowering individuals and families who have been affected by the criminal legal system to move towards a better world where all people are able to thrive.

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In this quick introduction episode, Amplified Voices Hosts, Amber and Jason talk about the origins of the podcast, its guiding concepts and what they hope to accomplish through their conversations with real people in real communities who have been affected by the criminal legal system.

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