The 98% - Life After Prison

Unlocking the Box

Judy Van Wyk & April Barber Scales

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In our second episode examining the use of solitary confinement, we meet two people on a mission to end the use of prolonged solitary confinement in our nation's prisons.   From personal experience, Craig Waleed understands the psychological harm caused by isolation in a 8x10 box.  Dolores Canales was trying to save her son when she first joined the protest against conditions in California's Pelican Bay Special Housing Unit, known as the SHU.  Her efforts helped spark a national campaign against solitary confinement.   

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.