The 98% - Life After Prison
This podcast is dedicated to the 98% of people incarcerated in North Carolina who will eventually be released from prison back into their communities, often with few, if any resources. Through the voices of people in transition and those who support them, we explore hurdles and life long barriers many justice-involved people confront whether getting a drivers license, finding housing, or trying to find a job. We examine issues like substance use disorder and mental health that plague this population and ask what we as a society can do to support the formerly incarcerated and reduce recidivism.
In 2023, Judy Van Wyk and April Barber partnered to create a podcast about the many issues people face when transitioning from prison. Van Wyk is a producer and criminal justice advocate. April Barber received a life sentence when she was 15. After more than 31 years, she had her sentence commuted by Governor Cooper. She was released March 24, 2022.
ART WORK BY JOHN HARDIN
The 98% - Life After Prison
Latest Episodes
Bonus Series Part 2: TROSA - Reclaiming Lives Through Community
In Part Two of our series we meet two TROSA graduates, who have completed the two-year program treatment program. Dymont Spellman and Kristie Foy come from quite different backgrounds and found their way into addiction through different p...
Bonus Series Part 1: TROSA - Reclaiming Lives Through Community
TROSA is an evidence-based, peer-driven treatment program for substance use disorder in Durham, North Carolina. Based on the concept of a therapeutic community, Trosa's two-year program provides comprehensive treatment, vocational ...
BONUS EPISODE: The Power of Love
Jefradian Stafford wants you to know he's not the same man who, a decade ago, lost everything to his opioid addiction and found himself in prison. In prison, he kicked his addiction. And after he got out, a second chance employer hi...
Fan Mail
Hi! I hope you are doing well. I am reaching out to respectfully request that you consider inviting Josh Stein onto your podcast to discuss the ongoing crisis within North Carolina’s prison system. If not, at least bring awareness to the NC critical prison conditions and also advocate for Governor Stein to utilize his tools such as commutation, to release those that are showing rehabilitation. With continued concerns surrounding overcrowding, severe understaffing, and the growing financial burden on taxpayers, I believe this is an important time for the public to hear directly from Governor Stein about what solutions are being actively considered or implemented. In particular, I hope your team might ask: - What immediate and long-term solutions does the Governor propose to address prison overcrowding and staffing shortages? - Does he plan to more actively utilize executive tools such as commutations or clemency to safely reduce the prison population? - Will there be a process for reviewing individuals for early release who have maintained clear disciplinary records and demonstrated rehabilitation? - How is the state recognizing individuals who have completed educational and rehabilitative programs while incarcerated? - Given that April is recognized as Second Chance Month, will the Governor prioritize reviewing commutation applications during this time? This issue is deeply personal to me. My loved one has been incarcerated for several years with no infractions and has worked hard to better himself by completing barber school and an Alcohol and
Elkin, North Carolina