"What Chance?"

Meet Joe, a father who spent 14 years in prison and missed the childhood of his sons. Violence was part of his life before prison and continued to affect him inside prison. Joe had to consciously step away from the life he knew, he had to leave his circle of friends in order to survive and take part in his children's life. Listen to Joe talk about his journey of rehabilitation and what helped him pivot and become the son able to take care of his mother and run a small business in California.

Meet Edward Smith. When Edward was a young dad, he decided to join law enforcement to help keep his neighborhood safe. He spent several years as probation and parole officer, tracking down people who committed crimes, trying to support them on their journey of rehabilitation. He discovered that poverty, a lack of education and jobs often contributed to the reasons why people went to jail. He wanted to help people get out of this cycle and improve their life by taking charge of their finances. Listen to Edward share his experiences, the ups and downs and dangers of the profession and the journey he went on to be of service to his community. If you would like to connect with Edward you can do this here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-smith-i-i-016aba83?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BeKTFeeAsQfaAU%2FGfw3bayg%3D%3D ( linkedin.com/in/edward-smith-i-i-016aba83) And please share this episode with your friends and write a review if you enjoyed it. You can follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast.

Imagine - you are 17, a crime is committed in your town and you want to help the police. Weeks later you end up as a suspect, are arrested and go to trial for Murder! Even though you didn't commit the crime you spend years in prison. Not Possible you thinK? Listen to Jeff tell his story, because that's what happened to him. He was wrongfully convicted and it took him many years to prove his innocence. How is that possible in a Justice system? What is the effect on an innocent young person in an adult prison? How does one survive and stay mentally sane when nobody believes you? Jeffrey managed not only to survive but to come back home, become a lawyer and start a foundation to help other wrongfully convicted Individuals. You can donate here: https://www.deskovicfoundation.org Please write a review if you enjoyed this podcast and follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast

You would think that defending yourself is not a crime. Well, that was not Glenn's experience. He ended up in prison for 17 years witnessing violence that traumatized him. He saw his children grow up from a distance, missing years of his freedom he can never get back. Listen to Glenn talk about how he kept himself sane and what is helping him on his healing journey. ***Some of the events are deeply emotional and upsetting*** Here's the link to glenn's book: https://www.amazon.com/Donovans-Charge-Drama-3-Rings/dp/0692543139/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=donovan+charge%2C+glenn+cox&qid=1637678621&s=books&sr=1-1 If you like this podcast please write a review and give us some stars. Follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast

April's teenage son is incarcerated in an adult prison. As a mother she is doing time as well. Noel works for RAPP - Release Aging People in Prison. Her focus is on parole reform. April and Noel met through their advocacy for prison reform. In this interview they explain the challenges of dealing with the current criminal justice system, what rehabilitation could look like and why it is so important that we care about how people are treated during incarceration. For more information check https://rappcampaign.com Please leave a review if you found this episode interesting, tell others about it and follow us on Instagram @Whatchancepodcast.

Shawanna was born in prison, grew up in foster care, lost a brother to gang initiation violence and experienced incarceration. She is the author of "Cries for Change", the story of how she overcame her hardships. She turned tragedy into healing by forming Silent Cry, Inc a New York based nonprofit that takes a holistic approach to aftercare from mass incarceration, gun violence and trauma. Listen to my conversation with Shawanna where she shares her experience, talks about the problems with punishment and the need for rehabilitation. You can find more info at https://silentcryinc.org Please write us a review if you enjoyed this podcast and follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast

Meet Robin Alpern who did just that. Robin tells her story from becoming aware of racism and white privilege to getting involved and becoming an anti racist activist. She is now the director of training at the Center for the Study of White American Culture, where she co-designed and co-leads a series of workshops on What White People Can Do About Racism. The 13th amendment:  Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.  Some suggestions from Robin if you would like to get more information: Websites: https://cswac.org/ (Center for the Study of White American Culture) https://innocenceproject.org/ (https://innocenceproject.org/) Films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8 (13th) (full-length movie by Ava DuVernay) When They See Us (on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/80200549 (https://www.netflix.com/title/80200549)) Articles: https://www.aclu.org/issues/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline/school-prison-pipeline-infographic (https://www.aclu.org/issues/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline/school-prison-pipeline-infographic) https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/spring-2013/the-school-to-prison-pipeline (https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/spring-2013/the-school-to-prison-pipeline) Books: https://www.amazon.com/Slavery-by-Another-Name-audiobook/dp/B003OSVHBQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=389NQYYRQ4K9E&dchild=1&keywords=slavery+by+another+name+by+douglas+blackmon&qid=1628783296&s=books&sprefix=slavery+by%2Cstripbooks%2C151&sr=1-1 (Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II) https://www.amazon.com/Other-Slavery-Uncovered-Enslavement-America/dp/054494710X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AYNKZ7VZILPS&dchild=1&keywords=the+other+slavery+the+uncovered+story+of+indian+slavery+in+america&qid=1628783368&s=books&sprefix=the+other+slavery%2Cstripbooks%2C146&sr=1-1 (The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America) https://www.amazon.com/New-Jim-Crow-Incarceration-Colorblindness/dp/1620971933/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=new+jim+crow&qid=1628783117&s=books&sr=1-1 (The New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness)) https://www.amazon.com/Building-Movement-End-New-Crow/dp/0988550814/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=daniel+hunter+new+jim+crow&qid=1628783047&s=books&sr=1-1 (Building a Movement to End the New Jim Crow: an organizing guide) https://smile.amazon.com/Deep-Denial-David-Billings/dp/1934390046/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WXXOWJSYQZT8&dchild=1&keywords=deep+denial+david+billings&qid=1629471223&s=books&sprefix=deep+den%2Caps%2C148&sr=1-1 (Deep Denial: The Persistence of White Supremacy in in United States History and Life) Please leave a review if you liked this episode and follow us on instagram @Whatchancepodcast

After being released from prison Cynetra struggled to get her feet back on the ground. She had lost her home and all her valuables and she really needed help. Unfortunately probation services were not enough. She wanted others in the same situation to have more support - so she founded the Mississippi Center for Re entry. She now serves several counties in northern Mississippi offering support for people being released from prison. Listen to Cynetra talk about which challenges people face after incarceration, how she and her organization help to reduce recidivism rates and what her biggest challenge is. Learn more about the Mississippi Center for Re entry and donate here: https://msreentry.org Follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast

A child of immigrant parents struggles with acceptance and takes some wrong turns in adolescence. After spending some years in prison Julien finds fame as an athlete and is on his way to represent the UK at the Olympics. Unfortunately his past is not forgotten. Listen to Julien's story of success and defeat and how he turned the painful experiences of his younger years into an asset to become an entrepreneur in the UK. If you are enjoying this podcast please write a review and give us some stars! And follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast

Violence surrounded T.'s childhood and brought him to prison where he spent 25 years of his life. When he found AVP, the Alternatives to violence Project he experienced for the first time that he didn't have a disease called violence. Violence was a choice and he did not want to continue on that path. After his release he started to work with at risk youth and gang members. He now facilitates AVP workshops at the Osborne Association passing on his elder wisdom to guide next generations. To find out more and to donate go to www.osborneny.org Follow us on Instagram @Whatchancepodcast

**TW: this episode contains emotionally sensitive material** I talk with Amy about her experience of childhood abuse and how she turned away from crime and became an advocate for overlooked and underserved communities. For more info and support check: https://www.classy.org/campaign/fund-for-black-lives/c314234 Follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast

Despite some challenges growing up in a neighborhood that saw poverty, addiction and trauma Dominic was thriving and on his way to an independent adult life. Until one day when it all changed. Listen to Dominic talk about how he made it through 2 decades of being in prison, his involvement with Michael K. Williams' (The Wire/ Boardwalk Empire/Black Market) documentary " Raised in the System" on VICE (available on YouTube) and his work now to support his community and prevent others from becoming involved in the criminal justice system. Follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast If you would like to support Dominic's work please check: www.NYCtogether.org www.makingkidswin.com

I talk with Corey who ran away from home, became homeless and needed to fend for himself. That brought him into contact with drugs and the streets and led him to be arrested and spend time in prison. He talks about his early struggles and the challenges of re entering society and family life after a long prison term. Follow us on Instagram @whatchancepodcast

**TW: this episode contains emotionally sensitive material** Alisha Kohn has been incarcerated in a male prison as a transgender woman. In our conversation Alisha shares some deeply emotional experiences and talks about what has helped her to work through her trauma. Follow us on instagram @whatchancepodcast For more information about the Newburgh LGBTQ center go to: www.Newburghlgbtqcenter.org @newburghlgbtqcenter Facebook.com/newburghlgbtqcenter For more information about AVP: www.avpusa.org

The Alternatives to Violence Project - AVP, is one organization that facilitates workshops in prison. It is run by volunteers, one of them being Margaret Lechner. In my conversation with her we talk about the origins of AVP, how Margaret got involved with AVP and the influence facilitating in prisons has had on her own life. For more information go to: avpusa.org This podcast was created in New York with original music by Max Elias and cover art by Hernán Braberman.

The Foster Care system can be an important safety net for children whose needs cannot be met by their biological parents. In this episode I talk with Laura Sestito who is the Administrative Director of Care Coordination at Cardinal McCloskey Community Services. We look at the benefits and also at the risk factors children experience when entering the foster care system. Violence, poverty, trauma are some circumstances which hinder some children and put them at risk of slipping into the criminal justice system. This is the season of giving. If you would like to help and donate please go to www.cmcs.org

Poverty still exists in many countries, even in the US. Despite well-meaning intentions we have not seen dramatic changes. In this episode I talk with Cristina Diez who works for ATD Fourth World - All Together in Dignity, a non profit organization with a different approach to eliminating poverty.

In this episode I look back in history to the beginnings of the police. In a conversation with Max Elias I ask : what was the role of the police then - and what should it be now?

In this episode I talk about coming to America - what I expected and what I discovered. Over time the picture changed and I am wondering what is real. Is it the same for all of us?

What is so different for POC in the US? Why do they drop out of school, end up in prison or die young in such high numbers? It's time to talk about punishment and justice.