The PrisonCare Podcast

Sabrina shares some of the specific limitations on phone access, and wonders respectfully about whether there aren't some easy improvements to be made...better options for EVERYONE in the prison.Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlTime Markers:1:59 Punitive vs. Rehabilitative - a Quick Review of the Paradigm6:00 Let's Talk About Phones8:00 Why So Pricey?9:52 Wait, People Can't Get a Call from Their Lawyer??13:58 “Leave me a message, and I'll get back to you…” Except You Actually Can't21:57 What About Emergency Calls?26:58 Yes, But People Could Abuse That Access28:50 Tell Sabrina She's WrongIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT:The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.Used with Permission on The PrisonCare Podcast.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDugSupport the show

An interview with J! Recorded before J's move to a new facility, this episode explores the complexities of feeding people in prison, the realities that cause people to be persistently hungry even when federally mandated nutritional requirements are being met, and the content (and quantities) of foods on your tray for a typical meal,  the multi-layered truth about "3 hots and a cot" guaranteed, the gratitude that comes from people who appreciate being fed, and the common practice of a single third-party contractor that provides both chow hall food AND commissary items. Whew!! It's a packed episode. Time Markers:2:59 A Quick Update on J4:30 Good morning! How are you?7:00 Three Hots and a Cot11:57 The Long Wait in the Hot Box16:00 How do you eat when there's a Lockdown?19:35 Whether you are 6'5" or 5'2", no matter what your metabolism is like...20:30 A typical tray, a single slice27:00 In the news recently, pics of prison trays30:00 Take your vitamins...if you can afford them from commissary33:10 Depression, Anxiety, and the Connection to FoodIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDug(theme music outro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I'll wait. I'll wait until I break.”Support the show

Join Sabrina and learn what makes a prison "lockdown," and be surprised by some of the difficulties that arise out of lockdown...in particular, for correctional officers.Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlTime Markers:Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDugSupport the show

Prisons operate in the U.S. using a structure that is very similar to the military. Join Sabrina to dig into how that creates a fundamental problem for correctional staff...and is not particularly helpful to prison residents, either.  And get an update on J in this last of the 4 "in-real-time" episodes of the past month.(theme music intro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I want to be as relevant to you as you are to me……am I the fool who's dreaming? I'll wait.”Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDug(theme music outro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I'll wait. I'll wait until I break.”Support the show

Continuing to learn about prison culture "in real time" with Sabrina and J as they walk through the uncharted territory that follows a rules violation, this week's episode examines the difficulties faced by people undergoing serious  stress, and the limitations placed on even the simplest stress-management efforts, for residents and staff alike. And can someone please explain why talk therapy is not a priority in prison budgets? Let's look through a lens of common sense for a moment, if we can.(theme music intro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I want to be as relevant to you as you are to me……am I the fool who's dreaming? I'll wait.”Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDug(theme music outro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I'll wait. I'll wait until I break.”Support the show

Update on J, who is scheduled to be transferred to a new prison today, if all goes according to plan. Sabrina shares what he will face because of the transfer, and also makes available for the first time another of J's original songs, "Be Honest." Hear the story behind the song, learn how you can get a free .mp3 to add to your music library, and think in a new way about the things that simply must change in prison neighborhoods, for the good of everyone on the inside.(theme music intro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I want to be as relevant to you as you are to me……am I the fool who's dreaming? I'll wait.”Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDugSupport the show

Yeah, you read that right. There is so much complexity here, and this episode is Sabrina's super-careful analysis and fiercely-determined effort to LIVE OUT the non-partisan PrisonCare Mission of support for EVERYONE inside a prison neighborhood. No us. vs. them. Not even right now. Please listen to this important episode. Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDug(theme music outro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I'll wait. I'll wait until I break.”Support the show

Sabrina facilitates a powerful imagination game: let's imagine your worst possible work assignment. And then let's look at what that has to do with prison neighborhoods...and how it may increase our compassion for Correctional Officers. (Let's change the world for the better, shall we?)Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlTime Markers:1:10 An Imagination Game4:00 No, we're not actually talking about 2nd Grade Teachers5:00 Here's what one CO said about his work world7:00 Removed from society?8:45 The Prison Workplace: an overview10:45 Hey, CO! The TV quit working!11:25 Liar, liar, pants on fire14:10 Stop picking sides, please, and thank you18:45 Shared GoalsIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDugSupport the show

Sabrina starts Season 2 with a big-picture question that we ALL need to be asking ourselves, because it will fundamentally change the way we care for everyone inside a prison neighborhood, whether incarcerated individuals or corrections staff. There are many good questions to ask ourselves:What does "rehabilitation" even mean? How long is long enough?but most importantly..."What if you were defined by your worst moment?"SUPPORT PRISONCARE'S WORK WITH A DONATION OF ANY SIZE:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlTime Markers:1:28 A Quick Framework for How to Recover from Disaster5:00 I Kinda Wanna Throw Up7:25 What Do You Look Like These Days?9:55 But What Happens When WE See It?======================Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDug(theme music intro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I want to be as relevant to you as you are to me……am I the fool who's dreaming? I'll wait.”(theme music outro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I'll wait. I'll wait until you stay.I'll wait. I'll wait until I break.” Support the show

The end of a WHOLE YEAR of weekly PrisonCare Podcast Episodes...Whew!!So much important info in this episode, y'all.  The mission is expanding, and there is room for a whole bunch of new personalities in the PrisonCare model. You do NOT want to miss this look at what we learned in our first year, and what we're marching into in Year 2. So much goodness...so much care!Time Markers:(0:32) Lots of People Care(1:32) The Mission is BIG(6:59) Person Stories are Important(7:53) Raising Awareness in Year 2(9:48) PrisonCare House Parties?(11:13) Prison Residents Need Mental Health Resources(16:08) Newest Resources and What's To Come(17:45) Telephone Coaching for Residents(19:31) What Do YOU Want to Explore?Support the show

Sabrina and Fred continue their conversation about what visits to the prison are like, and how different things challenge each of them, but some things are tough for ALL visitors. Also, get Fred's perspective on what all this prison exposure is doing to Sabrina's mental health in a big-picture way. http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and donate to our workTime Markers:(0:54) What Could Make Prison Visits Easier?(5:06) Breaking Rules as a Newbie(9:17) Visiting is Tough but Typically Good for Everyone(11:55) Advice for First Time Visitors(16:39) Saying Goodbye(18:50) Facility Rules Vary(21:09) What Has Your Experience Been?Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

As we continue to share prison visit experiences, this first of a 2-part episode series captures a conversation between Sabrina and her husband, Fred, who is J's stepdad. He is not at all the same personality type as Sabrina, so his experience on visits is different from hers in many ways. For more prison visit stories, check out ep. 10 with J's sister, Bekah, and eps. 31 and the Bonus Concert episode with PrisonCare's Community Director, Kym!We are approaching our one-year anniversary on the podcast! Get ready for exciting news in the next couple of weeks!!http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and donate to our workTime Markers:(0:48) Another Prison Visitor(2:20) What Does it Feel Like?(4:15) TV vs Reality(6:02) Kind of Like an Airport(7:25) What is a Long Visit Like?(9:18) Visits During COVID(11:21) Food During a Visit(14:19) So Much Going On(17:42) What About the COs(19:30) Suspicious Visitors(24:29) What's Next?Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Well, that's a mouthful! PrisonCare's unusual in its non-partisan vision -- EVERYONE on the inside matters. If you are way-left or way-right politically, or somewhere in-between, there's still a place for you at PrisonCare. Want some specific examples of how that can be? Sabrina's got you covered!http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workTime Markers:(0:49) A Nonpartisan Mission(4:42) A Heart for Incarcerated Individuals(6:41) Praise Can Lead to Growth(10:48) Tough on Crime(13:14) Getting Started with CO Support(17:44) Any Bit of Support Helps on Either SideIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

The number one question people ask Sabrina -- answered here! Dig into the nuts and bolts of safety and risk when you are corresponding with someone who is incarcerated.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workTime Markers:1:30 And the answer is...4:00 Proximity and our sense of risk6:00 Defined by that crime?10:00 Clarity about YOUR purpose11:00 The sense you get, and the boundaries you set16:00 Misunderstandings happen, of course18:00 A few safety tips23:00 When a cause compels youIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Sounds boring, right? NOT! You need to hear what these two came up with when given the chance to share their thoughts and hearts with a room full of folks at a Criminal Justice conference. Think you know what a "Change Engine" is? Listen, and learn!http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workTime Markers:(1:14) Why an essay?(2:57) The Idea of A Book(4:52) The Essay(13:31) The Engine Provides the MovementIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Let Sabrina take you to the ACJS Conference with her and share the major lightbulb moments she had there (plus hear some really cool stories about how people in the PrisonCare Workshop responded to the mission!). A couple of major things she had never thought of before may just blow your mind, too.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workAcademy of Criminal Justice Sciences -https://www.acjs.org/page/PastMeetingProgramsShakespeare Behind Bars - https://shakespearebehindbars.org/Time Markers:(4:29) There's No Real Way to Measure Rehabilitation(8:03) Why Are Recidivism Rates So High?(10:46) Housing is a Major Problem(14:00) There's Minimal Opportunites for Jobs(15:36) We Don't Know What Our Goals Are(18:56) Corrections Academies(24:02) A Hidden Curriculum(28:45) Shakespeare Behind Bars(34:08) The PrisonCare Workshop(39:07) People Want to Make A DifferenceIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Shakedowns are a common occurrence in prison, and they are tough on all the people in the neighborhood. Join Sabrina to learn what a shakedown is, how it impacts EVERYONE on the inside. (And hear what happened to the penguin...) http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workTime Markers:(1:07) What is a Shakedown?(4:17) Facility Wide Shakedowns(7:06) Contraband is Everywhere(9:26) The Contraband Must Be Found(13:12) What is a Shakedown Like for Residents?(14:46) The Penguin Story(20:41) Expressing Yourself While Incarcerated(24:57) Sometimes Empathy is Tough(29:30) Here's Where Penpal Encouragers Come In(34:15) Where Do We Go From HereIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

People have been asking for stories from incarcerated people who are connected to PrisonCare Compassion Teams, so "Stories from the Inside" will become a periodic feature on the podcast. This episode, Sabrina shares stories about:* a "7 Habits on the Inside" special event, * a graduation party, * a domestic violence recovery group with a surprising twist,* grief counseling for people who can't get a counselor* a pod-sized feasthttp://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and DONATE to our workTime Markers:(0:49) Finally Time to Share(1:52) Steve's Mock Funeral(7:08) Sean's Graduation Party(9:24) Matthew's Domestic Violence Support Group(14:00) Gratitude and Continued Support(17:08) Casa De Quesadilla Day(19:43) Share Your Stories With Us!Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Well, that's a mouthful! But it really does all fit together in a fascinating way behind the walls of a prison. Natural introverts experience the prison neighborhood in certain ways that natural extroverts do not...and vice versa. And these experiences are present no matter which uniform folks are wearing. So, how does an understanding of these personality traits impact our beliefs about Static vs. Dynamic security models? Join Sabrina for a lot of big words that make an awful lot of practical sense when you explore them for a moment through the lens of a prison neighborhood. http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and DONATE to our workYou can also view this episode on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg1zYh48GV5KRMrz_FikIRcndtiWBqZbDTime Markers:(0:57) Wired Differently(4:30) Incarcerated Introverts(7:43) Incarcerated Extroverts(11:37) Switching Uniforms… Extroverted and Introverted COs on the job(14:34) The Static US Model(16:29) Dynamic Security is Possible(20:06) Taking Advantage (22:50) Sympathetic COs(25:42) Sympathetic Residents(28:44) A Shared Neighborhood with Shared Goals(33:32) Moving ForwardIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

BONUS EPISODE! J. Bloom has released NEW original music via PrisonCare.org. "The Fool," what we hope will become the ANTHEM for compassionate people everywhere who rally around the needs of people inside prison neighborhoods (no matter which uniform they wear) is a gift to you from J in gratitude for all you have done to get PrisonCare off the ground this first year!Download your free MP3 file from PrisonCare.org, and share it with everyone!This episode shares the song with you, and explains where it came from, and where we hope it is going as an ANTHEM of caring.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and donate to our workTime Markers:1:52 The Meaning Behind the Song4:02 Waiting and Breaking4:59 The Lyrics, so you don't miss a word6:45 Anthems of a Moment in History9:02 If You'd Like to Support PrisonCare Financially11:40 THE SONG!!!!14:16 RelevanceIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Why do most of our "prison movies" portray staff in a certain way? And what do the instinctual responses to danger - fight or flight - tell us about prison neighborhoods?  And what can compassionate people on the inside do to be supportive of EVERYONE behind the fence, no matter which way they typically respond to threat? Join Sabrina for this episode, and ask yourself some interesting questions.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and DONATE to our workTime Markers:(0:58) Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn(3:02) Backs to the Wall(6:07) In the Movies(8:26) Wired to Fight(12:08) Correction's Counseling(15:50) Mental Health Stigma is Everywhere(19:59) A Significant Drop in Life Expectancy(22:00) Are You Having These Conversations?You can also view this episode on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg1zYh48GV5KRMrz_FikIRcndtiWBqZbDIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Naked. Intimate. Complicated for everyone involved! Let's have a talk about strip searches and the impact they have on residents AND staff, shall we? Does that thought make you uncomfortable? Face your fears and join Sabrina for this important topic.Time Markers:2:00 Let's Get Naked2:55 Appreciation for Hospitals5:40 Prison…appreciation???8:00 Not as Clear Cut as we Want it to be8:55 Our Expectations for Released Prisoners9:57 Our Weird Attitude Toward Corrections STAFF11:55 The “Other” Branch of Law Enforcement13:55 Back to the Hospitals/Prisons Framework15:30 “Strip Searches” in Medical Settings17:00 Trauma for Incarcerated Individuals19:00 How's All of This Making the COs feel, btw?21:58 When a CO Has to Strip Search Someone Who Has Caused Trouble22:59 What's the Answer…Technology?26:00 Have That Awkward ConversationIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Join Sabrina for this exploration of the power of virtues-based language. More than simply "writing letters," a pen-pal encourager is a voice of truth, hope, and support in the life of an incarcerated person...and HOW those words get chosen is important. Take a listen, and learn to make some subtle changes in vocabulary that will increase your positive impact in a prison neighborhood!Time Markers2:00 When Somebody Says, “I See What You Did”6:00 Virtues-Based Language is NOT Actually Hoity-Toity8:15 Getting Started When You Don't Know Each Other Well Yet11:00 Turning the Conversation Toward Virtues and Good Character14:00 R-E-S-P-E-C-T16:00 When Your Pen-Pal is Frustrated? Validate, then Remind18:00 When They're Super Hard on Themselves20:10 It Becomes a Habit, and It's Not Just About Writing Letters25:00 Ways to Get Involved That You Might Not Have ConsideredIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Perhaps our most important episode to date - Sabrina explains the looming crisis in the Corrections industry nationally, and shares what PrisonCare, Inc. is doing about it. (Hint: there's a LOT more going on here than just the equipping of pen pal encouragers, as important as that work may be!!)http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and DONATE to our workYou can also view this episode on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg1zYh48GV5KRMrz_FikIRcndtiWBqZbD-----------Time Markers:1:28 A Much Larger Picture, An Important Time in History3:43 A Looming, Industry-Wide Problem5:22 Resources for Research — All the Good Pie Charts6:54 Simple Math, Recruitment, and a Look at the Workplace Environment9:34 How About All of the Other Perks, Though?11:42 Retention is Approaching Crisis Status, and Corrections Fatigue is Real15:15 Literally Taking Years Off of Your Life16:46 What Does PrisonCare, Inc. Have to do With Big Stuff Like This??20:12 The SHARED Goals21:05 The Ways That PrisonCare, Inc. is Casting Vision for Policy Makers--------------http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and donate to our workhttps://bjs.ojp.gov/Bureau of Justice Statistics - Office of Justice Programshttps://themarshallproject.orgThe Marshall Project - Nonprofit Journalism About Criminal Justicehttps://sentencingproject.orgThe Sentencing Project - Advocating for Effective and Humane Responses to Crimehttps://prisonpolicy.orgPrison Policy Initiative - non-profit, non-partisan, producing cutting edge research about the broader harm of mass criminalization https://desertwaters.comDesert Waters Correctional Outreachhttps://onevoiceunited.org/One Voice Uniting Corrections-----------------Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Sabrina shares from a live event one of her favorite exercises for potential pen pal encouragers: "10 Minutes (or Less!) to True Awesomeness!"Walk through the process, and see how easy it is to write...and invest in the mental well being of Correctional Officers, as well as residents. *mind blown*Time Markers:1:50 Two Reasons for this Practical Episode2:50 Invite me!5:30 10 Minutes (or Less!) to True Awesomeness8:30 Take Out Your Phone and Write Your First Letter!10:00 A Free List of Letter Starters, In Case You Feel Stuck11:30 They Actually Feel Stuck, Too13:00 A Quick Recap of the Less Than 10 Minute Process13:50 No Matter How You Come At This Thing16:20 Caring for COs by Writing to Residents - Mental Wellness for ALL17:53 Wanna be on the Podcast?Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

We've been getting requests for Mental Wellness Resources, and we've been creating free articles to meet that need. But you might be surprised at the top asks! We were. People in prisons want to improve their own lives AND their neighborhoods, and it's reason for hope. PLUS: Learn about the new Loose Change Project!TIME MARKERS:TIME MARKERS:1:25 Why Do They NEED Stuff Sent in from the Outside?3:10 A More Realistic Framework for this Conversation8:00 The Number One Request10:20 Number Two is What? Really?12:09 Ones We'd Expect, and Others That Surprised Us14:00 It Starts With…16:03 The Common Enemy18:55 The Loose Change PrisonCare ProjectIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Episode 31 let you hear all the in-the-moment feels from Kym and Sabrina. This BONUS episode gives the narrative. Wanna hear each thing that happened -- including "The Bathroom Dance," the strip-search room, the Assistant Warden's welcome, and more? This is the episode for you! We wish we could have taken you each with us for this life-changing day. If you wish you could have come along, take a listen to this BONUS episode.Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Sabrina and Kym got to go all the way INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD at a prison concert and graduation ceremony for guys who participated in Mark and Tammy Collie's "My Song for Life" program! It was a LIFE-CHANGING  experience. This episode is full of all the feels, all the lame efforts to capture in words the hope that we found inside the razor wire in January 2023!TIME MARKERS:1:25 While the Feelings are Fresh4:20 Visiting Their Neighborhood7:00 Who's in the Room?10:35 There was no “Us vs. Them”16:20 Hugs in a Space Devoid of Contact17:35 Stories of Healing - Brave and Vulnerable20:55 How the Visitors Felt SOO Different23:55 It Absolutely CAN Happen24:30 On the Back of the ProgramIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Sabrina records in a hotel room while waiting to see if a collaborative program is actually going to happen the next day at a prison...because there has been ZERO communication from the facility. She explores the importance of good communication anywhere, and especially inside prisons, and (blame-free!) looks at why good communication is even MORE important in a prison than most anywhere else. Plus, she has ideas about how we can help from the outside.Time Markers:1:00 Howdy from my hotel room!3:55 No blame being assigned here6:30 Scale the problem12:00 What's the PRODUCT of a prison?15:05 Paper Thin Relationships18:00 Paranoia will destroy ya22:50 What are you hoping for?26:55 How WE can helpIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Sabrina and Kym get to start 2023 with hope and PUPPIES! Becky Hein, Puppy Program Manager for Canine Companions for Independence (canine.org) is our guest on this beautiful, inspiring episode that looks at the puppy training programs in prisons that pair incarcerated trainers with puppies that are being prepared for jobs as service dogs for people with disabilities. Time Markers:2:30 Meet Becky!5:00 Community Director, Kym, trains Seeing Eye Puppies7:10 What kind of training? What kind of Trainers?13:50 Tell us about the prison puppy training programs19:10 Inmate Trainers mentoring one another FTW!23:10 Letters from program participants (grab a tissue!)26:00 Making a Difference in the World in a POSITIVE WAY30:35 A Day in the Life of a Lead Trainer and Pup33:50 Recommended Resources for Dog Training36:10 Time Tested Success in Rehabilitationhttps://canine.orghttps://canine.org/get-involved/prison-puppy-raising/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dwBQHkH2uchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SzMq_G0Jqkhttps://www.patriciamcconnell.com/https://denisefenzi.com/https://susangarrettdogagility.com/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670353/the-year-of-the-puppy-by-alexandra-horowitz/Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

In the second part of this interview with Mary Buser, author of Lockdown on Rikers, and Director of Social Workers and Allies Against Solitary Confinement, Sabrina learns about why there are so many people with mental illnesses who are incarcerated, what mental health and medical professionals do and do not have to do as they provide care for the, and alternatives to the "hammer" approach our system currently employs. TIME MARKERS:4:30 Mandated Reporters of Abuse11:00 Why Are So Many Mentally Ill People in Jails and Prisons?17:30 It Isn't Just Them, It's Their Families20:00 Proximity is a Game Changer23:00 Starting to See Alternatives to the Hammer25:30 Whatever your politics, PrisonCare is a piece of itFind Mary Buser at:https://www.marybuser.com/Find Social Workers and Allies Against Solitary Confinement at:https://socialworkersasc.org/Fine Lockdown on Rikers Island at:https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Rikers-Shocking-Injustice-Notorious/dp/1250077842Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Sabrina gets to talk with Mary Buser, Director of Social Workers and Allies Against Solitary Confinement, and former assistant director of mental health services at Rikers Island, the huge jail complex in New York City. She has a heart of gold, a depth of knowledge, and work experience that can teach us all SO much. While we avoid any shocking or triggering descriptions in both parts of this interview, we get a real glimpse into the reality of solitary confinement and its torturous impact on people, the challenge of bringing mental health resources and corrections into the same space, and the ways that ordinary people can be a part of positive change in prison neighborhoods everywhere.  (This is the first of a two-part series.)TIME MARKERS:0:50 Meet Mary Buser7:00 Assigned to Rikers Island as a student8:30 Wait, you want to go BACK there?10:00 A Guest in Their House12:30 The Final Straw 18:00 The Baddest of the Bad…or a Minor Rules Infraction?21:00 What Solitary Confinement ACTUALLY Does to a Person25:45 Tom Clemens, Rick Raemisch, and Reform in CO29:25 from Ch. 26 Lockdown on Rikers IslandFind Mary Buser at:https://www.marybuser.com/Find Social Workers and Allies Against Solitary Confinement at:https://socialworkersasc.org/Fine Lockdown on Rikers Island at:https://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Rikers-Shocking-Injustice-Notorious/dp/1250077842Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

In this 2nd of a 2-part interview, Sabrina talks with Drs. Hattery and Smith -- Angie and Earl -- about solitary confinement and the study they did that led them to write Way Down in the Hole. Meet some of the folks whose stories they will never be able to forget.For more from Angie and Earl, visit:http://hatteryandsmith.comTime Markers:4:15 Where Race Comes Into It6:39 We're ALL In Here Because of the Mistakes We Made8:40 from the book — CO Travis and MIRRORS14:50 Did It Impact You In a Personal Way?21:39 Marina's Story24:35 Why Am I Hiding From This Man in Family Dollar?30:10 It's Deadly; I Don't Care How You Want To Paint ItIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Sabrina gets to interview Drs. Angela Hattery and Earl Smith, professors of Sociology and authors of the new book, WAY DOWN IN THE HOLE. Learn about Solitary Confinement. Learn about its torturous impact on those held in those solitary cells, and on the Correctional Officers who work the unit.  Part 1 of 2.To purchase a copy of Way Down in the Hole visit https://smithandhattery.com/Time Markers:0:49 Welcome to Solitary Confinement3:35 Who are these authors, anyway?6:00 Why did you do this study?13:28 Ethnographic…say what??16:50 The Power of Personal Observation20:12 The Big Take-Aways (and Strip-Searches)26:51 The COs in Solitary30:00 Some Brief ExcerptsWe've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version)Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Sabrina digs into the "Us V. Them" mentality that rules prison neighborhoods, and considers the impact on Correctional Officers. What if...?Time Markers:1:00 Upcoming Interview Episodes - sneak peek!4:00 All the Differences6:00 Naive, much??9:07 A Closer Look at COs13:02 Surrounded14:32 What about…? / What If…?16:25 A Word We Don't Often Use19:10 Knocking the Legs Out From Under It All20:07 What Can We Do?Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

The first-ever PrisonCare Compassion Team started with a group of people at a little church called LifePath. But this was not a religious thing at all -- in fact, it was intentionally NOT religious -- so what DID characterize it? What do new friends, new good friends, for incarcerated people look like? TIME MARKERS:(3:00) A story of true friends(4:45) Why we don't solicit(5:30) The “90 Second Version” of the Roots of PrisonCare, Inc.(7:00) Seeing it on EVERYONE's faces(8:45) Yay, Team! (connections on the inside)(9:45) And then came COVID(10:35) Yay, Team! (connections on the outside, too)(12:15) Staff, too? Yup. A Pivotal Moment of Understanding.(14:20) How do incarcerated people make new, good friends?(17:00) Wait, but the first Compassion Team was from a church, right? You just said…(19:10) Patiently trying to connect to staff(20:35) The Wrong Kind of Math(21:50) Your Political Leanings Regarding Prisons are Irrelevant(23:00) What might happen??Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Have you ever thought about the paramilitary structure of a U.S. prison? And what might be good about that for a vet -- or really, really bad for them? Sabrina explores the strong connection between those who have served in the military and those who can now be found in prison neighborhoods -- serving sentences, or serving as correctional officers. Time Markers:1:05 Challenges? What Challenges?3:31 Many Vets Wind Up in Prison5:08 The Paramilitary Model7:00 What the Challenges Look Like in a Prison8:38 A Common Enemy CAN Breed Compassion10:28 The Staff Needs Support from Above11:31 Help Sabrina? Veterans Justice Outreach Program12:00 Vets-Only Housing12:40 Puppies!13:10 How PrisonCare Provides a Ray of Hope - SO many examples!Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Of course birthdays and anniversaries are hard for people who are incarcerated. But there are other anniversaries that are (perhaps unexpectedly) brutal for those serving prison sentences. Good news -- compassionate people on the outside can do something practical and EASY that will help. Join Sabrina for this personal AND practical episode.Time Markers:1:45 The Power of Calendar Squares2:40 Not Talking About Those Kind of People5:23 I AM Talking about THESE Kind of People6:50 The Big Ask! (no, it's not about money)7:40 Back to the people who are trying so hard to BECOME8:22 J's First Anniversary Had Us All Confused9:47 The Second Anniversary It Began To Make Sense11:12 The Good News12:02 Victims WIN, hands-down; it is not fair what they must endure13:39 When Praying People Should Pray (but not talk about it)14:48 Mark Your Calendars16:34 First Letters Are Different — and Super Easy, Actually!17:20 Ask About the Fundamentals17:42 Loved Ones and Anniversaries19:35 Let's Give ‘Em Somethin' To Talk About!20:40 Ways to Link ArmsIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Receiving mail (like, actual MAIL, in an envelope, with a stamp, delivered by snails) is uniquely powerful inside the prison fence. Learn some of the reasons why mail MATTERS very much to inmate residents, and learn why mail from a STRANGER is actually extra-powerful. Time Markers:0:45 Mail Call!2:40 Choice4:10 What, Me? Vulnerable??6:00 Thinking of You9:33 Tangible12:00 Pen-Pal Encouragers15:30 Shared Loss17:20 Lost People22:48 That 1st Super-Awkward Letter24:00 The Chosen One25:45 A Commitment to Encouragement27:50 Dangerous?29:00 The Purpose31:30 How to HelpIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT:We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version)Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Join Sabrina and her daughter, Bekah, for a chat about their recent visit to J in prison. Learn a bit about the process of visiting, and clear up some misconceptions that many of us have about visiting, and the way staff feel about visitors.Time Markers:0:00 Welcome to our Hotel Room3:25 Misconceptions5:15 Tiny and Scared7:50 What You Carry8:27 Paperwork and Food9:45 Underwire Bras and the Key to Not Freaking Out12:33 One Red Chair14:20 The Mask of Toughness18:15 They WANT Me to Come and Visit!19:45 It's IntenseTranscript of this episode is also available at http://prisoncare.org/podcast--video.html. Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT:We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version)Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

All this talk about positive prison culture...what is that even supposed to mean? Are we suggesting that everyone hug-a-thug?Nope. Not even close. Let's do a sociological/psychological/include a little common sense deep-dive into the concept of positive prison culture.Time Markers:(1:08) Culture Is…(2:26) A Complex Series of Customs(4:45) There Are Actually MORE Than Two People Groups Here(7:50) Is Win-Win Even a Possibility?(9:39) Culture Creation IS Possible, For Real!(12:01) That's Where a PrisonCare Encourager Comes In(14:00) No Effort Feels Small(16:35) Positive Prison Culture in Summary(19:00) Next Time on The PrisonCare PodcastTranscript of this episode is also available at http://prisoncare.org/podcast--video.html.  Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Have you ever thought about that icky feeling you get when you drive past a prison, and wondered how that might be effecting the way you look at correctional officers?  Or people who were formerly incarcerated?In this episode, we take a hard look at the five people groups inside a prison, and recognize how quick we are to forget about them, when they all need our support. Time Markers:(1:00) Not in My Backyard!(2:31) What's the Threat That We Perceive?(4:31) Our Comfortable Forgetfulness is Hurting People(5:30) How Many People Groups? Because you keep chaining the number(7:30) The Five Forgotten People Groups in a Prison(9:40) How Much Do You Know About the Corrections Industry?(10:40) The Fear That Inmates Admit Most Readily(12:05) Prison Makes People Worse Instead of Better(12:50) How Do We Really Feel About Corrections Professionals?(13:50) Taking Responsibility(15:10) Coming Up Next: What is Positive Prison Culture?Transcript of this episode is also available at http://prisoncare.org/podcast--video.html.  Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Who are these people? And how did they become the founders of PrisonCare, Inc.? And why should I give a hoot about their story?Commitment to change in society has more to do with personal connections than it does lofty ideas. Listen to Sabrina's story today, and you will never think about prison quite the same way again. sabrinajustison.com to learn more about J's story and to read his and Sabrina's, "Person, Interpreted" blog postsJ's mailing address:Jacob T. White, DOC #182205CCCF, PO Box 1006564 State Hwy. 96Olney Springs, CO 81062Rules for Letters to Prisons:- You MUST include a complete return address on your envelope.- Enclose nothing but the letter itself.- No stickers except for the postage stamp on your envelope.- Nothing decorated — glue, glitter, etc. Time Markers:(1:00) Recap(2:43) The Start of Our Story(4:37) Things Began to Change(6:25) Back in Our House, Weirder and Weirder(9:03) And Then We Saw It On The News(10:37) Delusion Crumbles(13:43) Just the Letter J(15:36) They CAN Become Positive Culture Creators(17:35) How Do I Know These Things?(19:45) The Next Time You Hear About Prison on the News(21:45) Upcoming EpisodesTranscript of this episode is also available at http://prisoncare.org/podcast--video.html.  Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Okay, so episode 1 has you intrigued. The Mission Statement for PrisonCare, Inc., was the heart of that Welcome episode, and now you want to better understand what we're suggesting compassionate people actually DO. Using the idea of society's relationship with a hospital as opposed to its relationship with a prison, Sabrina Justison unpacks the big-picture need for a new understanding of prison neighborhoods. Then, using specific examples of strategies that work, she casts a vision for how a PrisonCare compassion team might form, what kinds of activities it might explore, and what kinds of goals it might set. (0:47) Quick Review of Episode 1(1:32) Summary of today's episode(2:40) Let's examine hospitals and prisons, side by side(5:50) A “Serves you right!” Mindset(7:50) Let's Talk about CO's(10:37) A Look at Wardens(12:02) What We Learn from TV(13:38) So, what IS a PrisonCare Compassion Team?(15:41) Choosing A Prison to Care ABOUT(16:53) Caring FOR a Prison you already care about(19:28) What to Avoid(21:26) You Have No Idea How Big This COULD BeTranscript of this episode is also available at http://prisoncare.org/podcast--video.html.Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT:We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version)Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show

Welcome to The PrisonCare Podcast!What IS PrisonCare.org, and who is likely to be interested in this podcast?PrisonCare, Inc. founder, Sabrina Justison, answers that and casts a vision for the kind of support EVERY prison needs, but almost none of us has ever considered it.(1:04) Introducing Sabrina and PrisonCare, Inc.(2:00) The PrisonCare distinctive(5:44) Goals and Objectives of PrisonCare, Inc.(8:00) Topics in the FREE PrisonCare.org PDF library(9:59) The story behind PrisonCare.org(13:53) How PrisonCare gets the word out(14:54) Practical Examples of Culture Creation(16:50) What's to come on The PrisonCare Podcast?(18:15) How YOU can connect!Transcript of this episode is also available at http://prisoncare.org/podcast--video.html.Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT:We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version)Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Support the show