Derrick Sanders, an inmate at MODOC's JCCC, shared his transformative journey of faith, reflecting on his upbringing as a Christian and his embrace of Islam. Derrick spoke candidly about the critical role forgiveness played in his healing process—both in reconciling with those he had wronged and, most importantly, forgiving himself. Initially, he struggled with self-forgiveness, but wise counsel from an older mentor helped him view himself differently and inspired him to pray fervently to hear God's voice. Derrick recounted a profound moment when God answered his prayer, waking him from sleep with a clear calling of his name, though no one stood outside his cell door. That experience solidified Derrick’s belief in God’s presence and voice, a connection he had longed for since attending church multiple times a week with his mother as a young man. Derrick’s foremost goal is to please God, avoiding the trappings of religion while seeking a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit to guide him toward truth and a deeper understanding of God’s sovereignty. Committed to his path of redemption, Derrick aspires to be a great man in God’s eyes, dedicating himself to constant study and spiritual growth.

James Scott, a Missouri inmate at MODOC JCCC, has become a powerful voice for justice and reform as he fights against his wrongful conviction for allegedly causing the Great Flood of 1993. Sentenced to 50 years, which was considered a life sentence under Missouri law at the time, James remains behind bars even though life sentences were legislatively reduced to 30 years in 1994. This discrepancy leaves James and many others incarcerated under outdated and unconstitutional laws. With just a week left in office, James is urging Missouri Governor Mike Parson to review his case and take action to correct this injustice, offering hope not just for himself but for countless others who deserve fairness under the law.

Mark Jones, an incarcerated advocate for justice at MODOC SCCC in Licking, MO, is dedicated to ensuring safety and fairness within the PC unit. Known for his resilience and willingness to speak out, Mark engages in open conversations with corrections officers who value his perspective on critical issues, including nepotism, drug smuggling, and the unchecked overdoses stemming from contraband brought in by staff. He sheds light on these systemic failings and calls for accountability to eliminate the rogue behaviors endangering prisoners' lives.

Mark also raises significant concerns about officers violating attorney-client privilege by opening prisoners' legal mail, copying it, and retaining the original for drug testing—an unlawful practice requiring urgent investigation by the Missouri Attorney General's office. As a vocal advocate, Mark will be featured weekly in January on a podcast series, amplifying these pressing issues and promoting justice for all within SCCC.

Mark Jones, currently incarcerated at the Missouri Department of Corrections South Central Correctional Center (SCCC) in Licking, Missouri, is a passionate advocate for justice and safety within the prison system. Resilient and steadfast, Mark dedicates himself to fostering a safer environment, particularly for those in the Protective Custody (PC) area, where vulnerabilities are often exploited.

Mark's unique approach to advocacy includes open conversations with corrections officers who are willing to shed light on the issues plaguing SCCC. Through these discussions, Mark helps bring attention to serious concerns, including nepotism, drug smuggling, and the devastating overdoses that occur when illicit substances are brought into the facility by rogue officers. His advocacy is not limited to identifying these challenges—he actively calls for accountability and reform to eliminate the behaviors that perpetuate harm and suffering within the prison walls.

Despite the risks, Mark remains committed to amplifying the voices of those who often go unheard. His courage and determination make him a vital contributor to a January podcast series, where his insights and weekly updates will shine a light on the systemic issues at SCCC. Through this platform, Mark aims to not only share his experiences but also inspire change and advocate for the dignity and safety of all those affected by these injustices.

Mark Jones stands as a beacon of resilience, using his voice to expose the truth and advocate for meaningful reform, proving that even in confinement, one person’s courage can spark a movement for justice.

The Missouri Department of Corrections (MoDOC) and the judicial system in Boone County, Missouri, have come under scrutiny for corrupt practices and mishandling of critical cases, exemplified by the case of DeAndre Buchanan. Despite the Missouri Supreme Court overturning his death sentence to life without parole, his transcript still erroneously reflects a death sentence, a glaring injustice that undermines trust in the system. Such errors raise serious concerns about judicial integrity, systemic accountability, and the fairness of legal proceedings in Missouri. These discrepancies, coupled with recurring patterns of judicial overreach and questionable sentencing, demand immediate attention. A forensic audit of the Circuit Courts in Missouri is imperative to trace financial allocations and uncover any misconduct in case handling and prosecutorial decisions from the bench. This is not just a matter of correcting errors but addressing the deeper systemic injustices that threaten real justice in the state.

The Missouri Department of Corrections (MoDOC) has come under scrutiny for corrupt practices involving the smuggling of drugs into facilities by corrections officers and the complicity of certain inmates. These illicit activities perpetuate a cycle of drug use and dependency among prisoners, undermining rehabilitation efforts and jeopardizing the safety of the inmate population. Compounding the issue, prisoners with known drug histories are frequently shuffled between housing units, a tactic that seems to create division and chaos rather than addressing the root cause of the problem. This lack of accountability and effective oversight fosters an environment where corruption thrives, leaving families and advocates frustrated with the absence of transparency and genuine reform. Without immediate action to investigate and rectify these practices, MoDOC risks deepening the systemic failures within its correctional system.

Reginald Clemons, a former death row prisoner in Missouri, has faced a protracted legal battle and systemic irregularities following his commutation to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole in 2015. Despite this sentence adjustment, Clemons has been denied parole twice, with each denial spanning five years, totaling ten additional years of incarceration beyond his death row commutation. Notably, Clemons asserts that he was never processed through the Missouri Department of Corrections’ (MoDOC) Regional Diagnostic Center as required by Missouri law. Instead, he was directly taken to Potosi Correctional Center by MoDOC correctional officers, bypassing the standard protocol where sheriffs deliver prisoners to the diagnostic center for processing and custody level determination. This deviation from established legal procedures raises serious constitutional questions about due process and the legitimacy of Clemons’ incarceration.

Adding to the complexity of Clemons’ case, he has spent 33 years in MoDOC custody but has been informed that 24 of those years do not count toward his sentence due to his commutation. Moreover, Clemons challenges the assertion that he had 15 years of back-up time on his death sentence, a claim that lacks basis in Missouri law. His legal efforts to address these issues through Internal Resolution Requests (IRRs), grievances, and court filings have been routinely denied or ignored. Clemons has also discovered that his facesheet is not displayed in the Missouri prison locator database under his name or DOC number, creating a significant security and procedural breach during his transfer to Jefferson City Correctional Center in 2021. With notarized waivers consenting to a full review of his parole, probation, and MoDOC records, Clemons invites the legal community to examine his case, highlighting potential constitutional violations and a failure of the justice system. The lack of transparency, procedural irregularities, and denial of due process suggest the troubling possibility of an innocent man being illegally confined on charges that remain shrouded in systemic flaws and legal ambiguities.

At the Missouri Department of Corrections (MoDOC) Jefferson City Correctional Center (JCCC), concerns have arisen over alleged miscalculations of prisoner sentences under the Edger ruling statute 217.690, which mandates accurate accounting of time served. One such case involves William, who questioned the Parole Oversight Supervisor about discrepancies in his calculated time. Rather than addressing his concerns thoroughly, the supervisor reportedly dismissed his inquiries with a vague remark about "street time vs prison time," failing to explain what the term meant or provide clarity on his situation. This dismissive response not only left William without answers but also raised concerns about accountability and professionalism. As a superior responsible for oversight, the supervisor's refusal to engage further and her abrupt departure from the conversation highlight a lack of transparency and support, undermining trust in the system meant to ensure fairness and justice for incarcerated individuals.