Voices from the Other Side

Interview with Rob "Rage " Bartlett , Local Journalist / Holistic Recovery Project manager, speaking on recent untimely deaths of two incarcerated individuals at both the Maine State Prison and the Maine Correctional Center. The state of Maine contracts with Well Path medical care , who is responsible for the oversight of medical care for those incarcerated at any prison facility within MAINE. WellPath also contracts with 34 other facilities across the nation.

Valerie Cartoni hosts this program is being designed to save lives, restore hope and reduce recidivism. This later will be developed into an entry level college course to Sociology and Peace Studies in Prison. Participants will learn how sociological aspects affect their growth and development into adults. Tools such as mindful breathing, journaling and meditation will be topics discussed to reduce stress, and anxiety, along with learning how to create new routines and healthy habits. Studies show that meditation in prisons reduces violence, and education reduces recidivism.

This program is being designed to save lives, restore hope and reduce recidivism. This later will be developed into an entry level college course to Sociology and Peace Studies in Prison. Participants will learn how sociological aspects affect their growth and development into adults. Tools such as mindful breathing, journaling and meditation will be topics discussed to reduce stress, and anxiety, along with learning how to create new routines and healthy habits. Studies show that meditation in prisons reduces violence, and education reduces recidivism.

Valerie Cartonio- Producer of this program being designed to save lives, restore hope and reduce recidivism. This later will be developed into an entry level college course to Sociology and Peace Studies in Prison. Participants will learn how sociological aspects affect their growth and development into adults. Tools such as mindful breathing, journaling and meditation will be topics discussed to reduce stress, and anxiety, along with learning how to create new routines and healthy habits. Studies show that meditation in prisons reduces violence, and education reduces recidivism.

I recently caught up with Tom Flynn, a former Development Director, as well as host of his own radio show, Saltwater Farm. while he lived here in Portland in the early 2000's. Several years later,Tom with his wife, decided to leave Portland and relocated to Minneapolis for a position at a K-12 public school. Tom gives us a very personal first hand view of what it was like there, just days after the tragic death of George Floyd, and the devastating fires and riots, incited primarily by an out of state fringe group.

The R.E.S.T. recovery center is located on 205 Main St, Lewiston. Rosie the Executive Director says " We've now found that the opposite of addiction isn't "recovery" - the opposite of addiction is connection, because that is what we are missing as a society."

Rob Korobkin, owner / operator of Courage House shares frustrations of having "lost the war on drugs"... but not until there is a cease fire..." Also, a discussion of the "Good Grid" software tool

arah Coupe, Pres. of "MARR," Maine Association of Recovery Residences, explains her role as having "lived experiences..." w/ lots of Choices"..in her work as founding dir. of Grace House for women...", setting a higher standard to empower." Also, Brittany Fearon, Assistant Program Manager, "MARR" & Ronald Springel MD: Program Manager of MARR.

Bruce Noddin, Dir. of Maine Prison Reintry Network is again the leader of this meeting of the Greater Portland Transformation Project.

"House Tour"... Sean Crothers takes Isaac on a walking tour of Courage House from the basement to the Cupolla.

Rob Korobkin and Sean Crothers give a synopsis of how "Courage House" came to be, and how some of the "townspeople" were dropping by with "pitchforks and torches." The mansion at 24 School St. has always existed as a single -family unit /"boarding house" for as long as anyone can recall..

part 2- RecentIy the Greater Portland Transformation Project ,an arm of the Maine Prisoner Re-Entry Network, held a stakeholders meeting at the "Cafe," located on Main St., Westbrook, ME. I welcome you to listen in to Rick Haywood of ProTech Solutions, Kim Ward of the United Way, as well as a case manager from the Maine Correctional Center. Thank you for tuning in to Voices from the Other Side!

RecentIy the Greater Portland Transformation Project ,an arm of the Maine Prisoner Re-Entry Network, held a stakeholders meeting at the "Cafe," located on Main St., Westbrook, ME. I welcome you to listen in to Rick Haywood of ProTech Solutions, Kim Ward of the United Way, as well as a case manager from the Maine Correctional Center. Thank you for tuning in to Voices from the Other Side!