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EP74: Justice for Sale: The Cost Womxn Pay in America’s For-Profit Prisons with Elizabeth Mikotowicz

September 28, 2023 Amanda Laden
EP74: Justice for Sale: The Cost Womxn Pay in America’s For-Profit Prisons with Elizabeth Mikotowicz
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EP74: Justice for Sale: The Cost Womxn Pay in America’s For-Profit Prisons with Elizabeth Mikotowicz
Sep 28, 2023
Amanda Laden

In this episode, Elizabeth Mikotowicz recounts her harrowing story of surviving domestic violence, battling drug addiction, and experiencing the federal prison system. She sheds light on the profit-driven aspects of America’s prisons and her advocacy for prison reform. 


1. Elizabeth’s story of domestic abuse, getting into federal prison, and the dark side of victim-based shelters 

2. The negative impact of the patriarchal and misogynistic system in America

3. Driving forces behind drug addiction and ways to recover from substance abuse 

4. How the American prison became a business and an institution of slavery and sexual extortion against women

5. She answers the question,  “What can people do to fight the injustices in the system?”


Resources mentioned in this episode


About Elizabeth Mikotowicz

Five years ago, Elizabeth Mikotowicz was painting murals as a federal inmate due to domestic violence and an injury that left her with permanent brain damage and addiction to opioids. She was turned away from a domestic violence shelter because her injuries were so severe they "put the other women in danger." Drug dealers helped her. She eventually caught drug charges and went to federal prison. She witnessed and endured horrific institutional abuse and racism at every institution. Now, she has her own environmentally friendly clothing brand based on her art sold in stores. She is also working with State Representatives to get bills to protect people- some passed. 


Connect with Elizabeth 



Support the show! 

Want to learn more about us? Visit our website at www.periodtopause.com or send an email to amanda@periodtopause.com

Follow us on Instagram: @periodtopause

Follow our Facebook Page: Period to Pause

Show Notes

In this episode, Elizabeth Mikotowicz recounts her harrowing story of surviving domestic violence, battling drug addiction, and experiencing the federal prison system. She sheds light on the profit-driven aspects of America’s prisons and her advocacy for prison reform. 


1. Elizabeth’s story of domestic abuse, getting into federal prison, and the dark side of victim-based shelters 

2. The negative impact of the patriarchal and misogynistic system in America

3. Driving forces behind drug addiction and ways to recover from substance abuse 

4. How the American prison became a business and an institution of slavery and sexual extortion against women

5. She answers the question,  “What can people do to fight the injustices in the system?”


Resources mentioned in this episode


About Elizabeth Mikotowicz

Five years ago, Elizabeth Mikotowicz was painting murals as a federal inmate due to domestic violence and an injury that left her with permanent brain damage and addiction to opioids. She was turned away from a domestic violence shelter because her injuries were so severe they "put the other women in danger." Drug dealers helped her. She eventually caught drug charges and went to federal prison. She witnessed and endured horrific institutional abuse and racism at every institution. Now, she has her own environmentally friendly clothing brand based on her art sold in stores. She is also working with State Representatives to get bills to protect people- some passed. 


Connect with Elizabeth 



Support the show! 

Want to learn more about us? Visit our website at www.periodtopause.com or send an email to amanda@periodtopause.com

Follow us on Instagram: @periodtopause

Follow our Facebook Page: Period to Pause