In this extraordinary episode of Living on Incline, we go behind bars at Sampson Correctional Institution, a prison that’s turning incarceration into transformation. From college degrees and reentry coaching to emotional healing and leadership development, this facility is doing something few others are: believing in the people inside.
Join host John Eklund as he sits down with three key leaders who are changing the future of incarceration:
• Robert Van Gorder – Facility Warden II
• Charles Wooten – Facility Case Manager & Reentry Coordinator
• Anthony Faison – Campbell University Site Coordinator & Advisor
Together, they unpack what makes Sampson different—from trauma-informed recovery and Christian programming to real education and community reintegration.
Chapters / Timestamps:
00:00 – Reflections from inside Sampson Correctional
01:10 – Campbell University and the Second Chance college program
02:15 – One man writing his memoir from prison
03:00 – Finding purpose inside the fence
03:50 – Mr. Wooten’s vision for reentry and dignity
05:45 – A cultural shift: less violence, more respect
07:25 – Mr. Faison’s story: from incarcerated to site coordinator
09:50 – “15 In, 15 Out” – the Campbell graduation goal
12:40 – How Recovery Alive is changing lives on the inside
14:00 – Vulnerability, honesty, and emotional transformation
15:20 – Complaint stats drop dramatically
17:10 – The difficulty of reentry, even after release
18:35 – Why second chances matter—even for lifers
20:15 – Recovery Alive’s impact behind bars
21:30 – Domestic violence awareness & Reaching Out From Within
23:00 – Walking the yard: generational impact of mentorship
25:00 – Warden Van Gorder: leading with heart and hope
26:10 – Society benefits when prisons invest in people
27:40 – Combating shame and stigma
28:30 – “This man is more free than most on the outside”
30:00 – Final thoughts: “You’re not what you’ve done.”
Guest Info:
• Robert Van Gorder – Warden, Sampson Correctional Institution
• Charles Wooten – Facility Case Manager / Reentry Coordinator
• Anthony Faison – Campbell University Site Coordinator for Sampson Correctional Institution
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Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery movement helping people rebuild their lives, restore relationships, and renew their faith.
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