America has the highest prison population of anywhere in the world, and young black men have a 50% chance of ending up in jail by the age of 23.

Seventy million Americans currently have a criminal record, leading to challenges accessing legal aid, housing, healthcare, voting rights and most importantly, the ability to get a job. Without an income, many fall back into crime and return to jail.

The economic and social costs to both society and the individuals is devastating, but with high urban poverty, widespread gang violence, a semi-privatised prison system, and little political will, very little is being done to reform the system.

Former convict Richard Bronson is on a mission to change that. He has established the Commissary Club which helps find jobs for those with criminal records as well as finding mentors and support systems for the recently released.

In this episode, we speak to Richard Bronson and two former gang members Sean Dupree and Victor Lombard - known as Divine - about their experience of finding work since their release from incarceration.

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Show notes and transcription: https://www.defiance.news/podcast/locked-out

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Timestamps:
Coming soon…

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