Prison Exposed

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai explore public perceptions of policing and incarceration through street interviews in Washington D.C. and New York City. They discuss the prevalent fear surrounding prisons, personal stories of those affected by the justice system, and the need for reformative justice that emphasizes community building and support rather than punishment. The conversation highlights the stigma and shame associated with incarceration, the hidden realities of prison conditions, and the importance of compassion and understanding in addressing these issues. Ultimately, the episode calls for a collective effort to redefine justice and create a more humane system.

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai engage with Calvin, a former correctional officer at a low-security facility in Arkansas. Calvin shares her journey into the correctional system, detailing the challenges and realities of working in a prison environment. The conversation explores daily responsibilities, the importance of building relationships with incarcerated individuals, and the impact of staffing shortages on safety and rehabilitation. Calvin emphasizes the need for respect and understanding in corrections, highlighting success stories from rehabilitation programs. The discussion also touches on misconceptions about prison life and the implications of facility closures on both staff and residents.

This episode examines the death of J’Allen Jones, a man with schizophrenia who died inside a Connecticut  prison after officers used extreme force during a strip search. We break down how a routine transfer, a dehumanizing search, and the misinterpretation of a psychiatric episode led to a fatal escalation.

We challenge the assumption that strip searches are necessary for safety, explore evidence-based alternatives, and discuss how these practices often function as tools of humiliation and control rather than security.

We also look at how Jones’s death, originally in 2018, has remained largely hidden from public view, resurfacing only through persistent advocacy by groups like the ACLU. This lack of visibility reflects a broader culture of secrecy within carceral settings, where deaths in custody receive minimal coverage and accountability.

Ultimately, the episode situates Jones’s story within the wider public narrative about incarcerated people, examining how convictions become lifelong labels and how societal indifference allows abuses to go unchallenged.

In this episode, the Remedy Project discusses the case of Christopher Boose, who suffered severe medical neglect while incarcerated in Mississippi. The conversation highlights systemic issues within prison healthcare, the culture of indifference among staff, and the importance of advocacy and accountability. David Z Simpson shares insights from his experiences and emphasizes the need for cultural change to address the dehumanization of incarcerated individuals.

The conversation delves into the implications of pre-conviction status on an individual's humanity, exploring how society perceives those who are incarcerated. It highlights the excessive nature of punishment before a conviction and questions the societal norms that strip individuals of their human status upon incarceration, as well as the long lasting effects this treatment has on individuals.

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai delve into the harrowing stories of incarcerated individuals, focusing on systemic abuses within correctional facilities. They discuss the experiences of Jerry Cooper, Jamel Gordon, and Christopher Trenchfield, highlighting issues such as retaliation, mental health exploitation, and the damaging effects of solitary confinement. The conversation emphasizes the need for advocacy and accountability, urging listeners to recognize the humanity of those incarcerated and to take action against injustices.

Read More Here:

Jerry Cooper: https://www.theremedyproj.org/prison-exposed/jerry-cooper

Jamel Gordon: https://www.theremedyproj.org/prison-exposed/jamel-gordon

o Help The Remedy Project and The Work They Are Doing for Jerry, Jamel, and Others Donate Here:

https://secure.everyaction.com/IbRRTK8mB06G5pbOwJz9zg2

Summary

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai engage with bioethicist Evan Thornburg to discuss the intersection of health care and incarceration. The conversation explores how institutions shape visibility and care for incarcerated individuals, focusing on the ethical dilemmas surrounding the death penalty, particularly through the case of Byron Black. The discussion also highlights the systemic barriers faced by vulnerable populations in accessing health care, exemplified by the case of Alexander Melo, who struggles to receive necessary medical treatment while navigating the complexities of prison health care.

Links and Resources:

Evan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gaygtownbae?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Poppies & Propofol Substack essay: https://www.poppiesandpropofol.com/p/a-defibrillator-a-death-sentence?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Learn more about the work that The Remedy Project does at: https://www.theremedyproj.org/

Follow us on TikTok and Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@prison.exposed.podcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

https://www.instagram.com/podcast_remedyproj/

David Simpson shares his harrowing journey from wrongful conviction to becoming a leading advocate for prison reform through the Remedy Project. He recounts experiences in prison, including witnessing a system designed to break people from the moment they enter, and facing retaliation for advocating for others. These experiences shaped his commitment to justice. He discusses the challenges of reentry and the barriers many formerly incarcerated individuals face in rebuilding their lives.

Read More of David's Story Here:

https://www.theremedyproj.org/prison-exposed/davids-story

To Keep The Remedy Project's Mission Going, Donate Here:

https://secure.everyaction.com/IbRRTK8mB06G5pbOwJz9zg2

We're Prison Exposed, a podcast of The Remedy Project.

In the first episode, David and Anna share their experiences with the justice system and how these moments led to the creation of The Remedy Project. Hear how their work and advocacy became the foundation for a movement that supports incarcerated individuals.

Read More Here-

Garry Okpala: https://www.theremedyproj.org/prison-exposed/bring-okpala-home

Terry Miles: https://www.theremedyproj.org/prison-exposed/terry-miles

To Keep The Work of The Remedy Project Going, Donate Here:

https://secure.everyaction.com/IbRRTK8mB06G5pbOwJz9zg2