What if the pathway to freedom after incarceration was assisted with opportunities rather than riddled with obstacles? Join us as we peel back the layers of the halfway house system, officially known as residential reentry centers, with special guest Darnell Keyes. We dive into firsthand experiences from cities like Baltimore and Ohio, highlighting the glaring inconsistencies in management and support that can make or break a person's reentry journey. Darnell's story of struggle is juxtaposed with Alexander Penn's more positive experience, revealing the urgent need for standardized practices and oversight to ensure halfway houses truly support reintegration.

The episode takes a particularly close look at staffs' inability to manage the pervasive issue of drug abuse, focusing on the synthetic drug K2. Hear firsthand accounts of the chaos that ensues when untrained staff are left to handle medical emergencies without adequate resources or support. We question why the Bureau of Prisons emphasizes personal responsibility over structural support, when on-site addiction treatment and mental health services could help both those in the throes of addiction and residents who are trying to start normal lives. Our discussion probes the gap between what's needed and what's provided, raising vital questions about the resources necessary for a safe and supportive reentry.

We also tackle the bureaucratic hurdles that complicate life in halfway houses, from securing approvals for daily activities to accepting the movement restrictions imposed with global positioning monitors.

As we look to the future, the construction of a new halfway house in DC offers a glimmer of hope, affirming the potential for meaningful change in how we support individuals transitioning back into society.

Follow this podcast so you'll be informed when new episodes are uploaded (twice a month). Meanwhile, read more stories and learn how you can contribute to reform; visit MoreThanOurCrimes.

Civic engagement is essential to a healthy democracy. The traditional form of civic engagement is voting -- a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, but taken away from most people once they become incarcerated. DC residents, however, have had that right restored, and cohosts Pam Bailey and Terrell "Tee" Peters interview two individuals behind bars about why they want to participate in the election -- or why not.

We also talk about other ways to be active citizens, beyond voting, and how a recent Bureau of Prisons restriction on the use of email is making it harder for those it confines to stay connected to their communities.

Follow this podcast so you'll be informed when new episodes are uploaded (twice a month). Meanwhile, read more stories and learn how you can contribute to reform; visit MoreThanOurCrimes.

Have you ever pondered the purpose of your life? That's a difficult question to answer for anyone, but in prison it's a challenge to answer. In this thought-provoking episode of Voices Unlocked, Pam Bailey and Tee Peters explore this question inspired by the book, "The Why Café." They are joined by Rob Barton, who is still in prison, and Cordell Miller, who was recently released, but then deported. Can e person find purpose and meaning in prison?

We look at the myriad ways prisoners find a way to spend their time, whether it's learning the law, setting records for burpees, learning to crochet or -- less constructively -- gambling and drug dealing. Rob and Cordell, however, became change makers.

Tune in, and think about how YOU would answer the question: Why are you here?

Follow this podcast so you'll be informed when new episodes are uploaded (twice a month). Meanwhile, read more stories and learn how you can contribute to reform; visit MoreThanOurCrimes.