In this powerful episode of Beyond the Conviction, I sit down with Justin Berry, who has spent the last 20 years behind bars. We dive into the harsh realities of incarceration—what daily life looks like, the inhumane conditions inside, and the lack of real rehabilitation programs.

Justin shares his personal experiences, his hopes for the future, and the changes he believes are necessary for a justice system that truly supports growth and reintegration. This is a conversation about resilience, reform, and the urgent need for change.

On this episode of Beyond the Conviction I met with Margot Van Sluytman who is an award-winning Poet, Therapeutic Writing Mentor, Justice Activist, and College Instructor.

Margot learned first-hand and at a young age that pain, grief, and sorrow occur everywhere. Anytime. And that the "better" life her parents had longed for would ask something more from her. She began to make sense of that brutal and harrowing experience. Choosing to be committed to writing, publishing, teaching, and lecturing on Expressive Writing and Therapeutic Writing in the framework of Sawbonna. Sawbonna, her new and Award-Winning Model of Restorative Justice, which is predicated upon shared-humanity.

Join us for an emotional and thought-provoking discussion on the tragic loss of Theodore, Margot's father, and her transformative journey towards healing, which has led to the creation of a novel approach to restorative justice.

Explore Margot's remarkable contributions and ongoing efforts by visiting the provided links to learn more about her impactful work.

https://broadview.org/margot-van-sluytman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTygA6Cl2NA

https://www.centennialcollege.ca/centennial-college-blog/2023/june/21/centennial-prof-writes-for-the-eighth-fire-margot-van-sluytman-and-joy-abounds

In this episode, I speak with Senator Kim Pate, who has spent the last four decades fighting for the rights of Canada's most marginalized individuals. Join us as we discuss the documentary Conviction, the Ground Up Initiative started by a group of incarcerated women, all things prison abolition, restorative justice and the recent coroner's inquest into the tragic death of Soleiman Faqiri at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ontario. Senator Kim Pate encourages us to keep reminding them that talk is cheap and we need action.

Key Takeaways: Is restorative justice the best approach? Why do we continue to pour millions of dollars into a legal system that appears to be ineffective in providing assistance to those in need?

To view the documentary Conviction and more information on The Ground Up Initiative, please visit: https://www.nfb.ca/film/conviction/

https://www.convictiondocumentary.com/engage

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