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
A Conversation with Bessie Elmore
Bessie Elmore’s life was turned upside down in 1992 when her son William was sentenced to life in prison. Working through her anger, she threw herself into making the best of a bad situation. She got a job working with domestic violence victims. She became certified facilitator with Nami, the National Alliance of Mental Illness. She started a support group for people who had a loved one who was incarcerated. Little did she know at the time that she was preparing herself for a career in reentry. Today, Bessie runs a reentry house in Durham, North Carolina that specializes in supporting formerly incarcerated men with mental health challenges. In this podcast, Bessie offers her insight into the many complicated issues people face after they are released from prison.
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 longtime video 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.