Hotlines

This is a rebroadcast of Hotlines originally recorded in January 2026. This episode of Hotlines Revisited features James Repenning, the founder and CEO of R&R Head Labs in Denver. R&R Head Labs is a purpose-driven barbershop employing justice-impacted expert barbers who are uniquely skilled in cutting all hair types and textures. James takes us inside the organization and its origin story, and he offers a close look at the people at the heart of the barber shop’s journey. James is hosted by CRJ’s Seth Ready and by Carol Peeples, who at the time of this recording was Executive Director of Remerg. 

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:

R&R Head Labs – https://www.rrheadlabs.com/

Remerg – www.remerg.com

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

HOTLINES this week continues a 2-part convo about “THE GO GUIDE: Getting On After Getting Out,” Colorado’s digital and print resource for all things about the prison and reentry experience. Pam Clifton from Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition pilots the publication, and she’s the guest of this episode, hosted by CRJ’s Trevor Jones and Darren Smith, Executive Director of Remerg. In this episode, Clifton takes a look back at her own prison and reentry journey, and shares how the obstacles she met helped inspire the creation of "The Go Guide," now in its 7th edition. "The Go Guide" is available through CCJRC’s website under the 'Publications' tab, and in Colorado's prisons and jails.

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
CCJRC - https://www.ccjrc.org/publications-reports
Remerg – www.remerg.com

It's part 1 of a two-part conversation with Pam Clifton at the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition in Denver. Clifton is the author "The Go Guide: Getting On After Getting Out - A Reentry Guide for Colorado." What is this resource? Where can system-impacted people and their loved ones find a copy? What are some of the highlights in the latest edition CCJRC released this year? And what are some of the key reentry challenges that The Go Guide seeks to address? Clifton answers all of this and more. "The Go Guide" is available through CCJRC’s website under the 'Publications' tab, and in Colorado's prisons and jails.

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
CCJRC - https://www.ccjrc.org/publications-reports
Remerg – www.remerg.com

Hosts Herbert Alexander and Bob Eisenman sit down with Remerg - the organization that typically co-hosts this show. This time, CRJ turns the tables to get an update on what’s new at Remerg, from Executive Director Darren Smith, Director of Advancement Jeff Wise, and Director of Programs Allen Browning. They discuss their recent findings about some of the specific gaps facing people returning from incarceration, and they share Remerg’s answer to those challenges: a human-centered approach of walking individuals through tailored support pathways, while initiating tough conversations with landlords, employers, and political officials. They forecast a major overhaul of the  Remerg website, as their team continues to refine how they serve their 85,000-86,000 users annually. 

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
Remerg – www.remerg.com

Colorado Radio for Justice host Trevor Jones takes the mic for Hotlines, joined by Remerg Executive Director Darren Smith. They visit the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition to sit down with Pam Clifton, CCJRC’s Manager of Constituent Services and auther of the book "Tell Them You Love Them: A Resource Guide for Incarcerated Parents in Colorado." Clifton shares how the book blends real stories with practical guidance as incarcerated parents navigate both criminal justice and child welfare, including communicating with caseworkers, courts, and children of any age while protecting custody and maintaining family bonds. Drawing from her own experience with incarceration, addiction, and her son’s adoption and her subsequent reconnection with him, Clifton emphasizes what kids need most: to hear and understand that they are loved and that their parent is safe. The book is available through CCJRC’s website under the 'Publications' tab, and in Colorado's prisons and jails.

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
CCJRC - https://www.ccjrc.org/publications-reports
Remerg – www.remerg.com

This episode of Hotlines Revisited features Chris Meeks, the Founder of Hope Homes. Chris talks about his lived experience, and how that propelled him into the work that he now does up and down the Front Range. This is a rebroadcast of Hotlines originally recorded in December of 2025.

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
Remerg – www.remerg.com
Hope Homes – https://www.hopehomesco.com/ 

Jennifer Waines, Operations Manager for the Denver chapter of Dress for Success, joins CRJ’s Seth Ready and Allen Browning from Remerg, CRJ’s partner on the show, for a conversation about the work her organization does to help women thrive, including those leaving prison. From landing the job to earning the promotion, growing leadership skills, building networks, launching businesses, and creating lasting change in their communities, Dress for Success empowers women every step of the way. Tune in to learn how confidence, opportunity, and a great support system can open doors to lifelong success.

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
Remerg – www.remerg.com
Dress for Success – https://denver.dressforsuccess.org/

This episode of Hotlines features hosts Allen Browning (Program director for Remerg) and Seth Ready (CRJ producer) as they sit down with Jenny Dean Schmidt, founder and executive director of ChannelMom. Schmidt explains how her background in television and experiences as a mother led her to encourage and honor moms, including her prison program, Forever Moms. The 10-week Forever Moms curriculum focuses on reconnecting incarcerated mothers with their children through conversation starters, restoring faith, teaching healthy parenting, and interrupting generational cycles of incarceration. Schmidt describes ChannelMom's work at carceral facilities in both Arizona and Colorado, as well as alumni engagement, mentoring, and a “40 Days of Re-entry and Aftercare” success kit. Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
ChannelMom - https://channelmom.org/
Remerg – www.remerg.com

On this episode of Hotlines, Jeff Wise joins Seth Ready and Darren Smith in the studio to talk about Remerg… Past, present, and future! Jeff talks about how his lived expertise has guided his role with Remerg.

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
Remerg – www.remerg.com

On this episode of Hotlines, meet the new Director of Programs at Remerg, Allen Browning. Allen joins Remerg Director, Darren Smith and CRJs, Seth Ready in the studio to explain what exactly brought him into this work, and what the future looks like for Remerg.

Hotlines is a production of Colorado Radio for Justice (CRJ). www.radioforjustice.org

Sites & resources mentioned in this episode include:
Remerg – www.remerg.com