More Life: The Reentry Podcast

I have a criminal record and I want to go to college. The criminal justice system and higher education are two major systems that can arise significant challenges for individuals, especially those with a criminal record. Tune in as VanKe’via and Dr. Stewart discuss the impact of a criminal record on higher educational opportunities, including navigating college admissions and financial aid. Dr. Ro...

One statement we often hear: You are not allowed to vote if you have a felony or have been to prison. Is this true? Tune into a conversation with our host, VanKe'via, to discuss the common myth associated with voting and criminal records. VanKe'via provides an understanding of the power of voting and the process of voting registration for those with a criminal record. It's important to know your r...

Often times people are misinformed of their rights when interacting with law enforcement. For people with a criminal record or who are on community supervision, they may come in contact with law enforcement more often. Therefore, it is imperative to know our rights as it pertains to interacting with law enforcement. Dr. Paul Bergman is a UCLA Professor of Law Emeritus. Among other books, he has wr...

Am I eligible for SNAP benefits after incarceration? A commonly asked question among those being released from incarceration or on community supervision. In this episode, VanKe’via and Dr. Testa explore the impact of criminal records on SNAP eligibility, the challenges faced by those reentering communities, and the broader implications on their well-being. Dr. Alexander Testa is an Assistant Profe...

Can I leave the country, or can I leave state? A commonly asked question by people on supervision or those with a criminal record. In this episode, VanKevia and Mr. Douglas dive into a conversation to discuss travel rights and restrictions for those who've experienced incarceration. Specifically, they will discuss traveling as it relates to supervision and traveling internationally. Mr. Douglas ha...

On this episode, VanKe’via delves into a discussion on the marijuana rights for formerly incarcerated individuals and those on parole. Tune into this conversation as VanKe'via discusses the impact of marijuana laws on individuals transitioning back into society. This episode also aims to inform those with legal involvement of the rights and restrictions related to marijuana-related policies and pr...

The upcoming series, "On the Record," will focus on educating the formerly incarcerated about their legal rights and responsibilities, covering subjects such as voting rights, travel, employment, and public assistance. The aim is not to provide legal advice but to empower listeners with knowledge and direction to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves effectively. The podcast will fea...

Sadie Masai is an ambitious and passionate author on a mission to educate parents and guardians of Children of Incarcerated Parents (C.I.P). She focuses on the importance of supporting a child through their experience and how to provide a safe space emotionally and mentally for their well-being. Sadie Masai LLC"s mission is to bring awareness to the rampant plague across the entire world to improv...

Natasha Khade works for the University of Cincinnati Correctional Institute (UCCI). She graduated with her PhD in criminology and criminal justice at Arizona State University. Her areas of research include desistance from crime, the reentry and rehabilitation processes for people involved in the system, and the cross cultural application of criminal justice research. Join VanKe'via and Dr. Khade's...

Join VanKe'via and Pastor Tony Lowden in a discussion on how second chance hiring can help employers find loyal workers and the benefits of being a second chance employer. Tony Lowden is the pastor of former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter, and he is a chaplain for the Secret Service in Southwest Georgia. He was appointed by the White House in 2019 as Executive Director of the Federal I...

Rachel King-Johnson is a harm reductionist, counselor, and advocate for the underserved. She serves as the Director of Clinical Outreach of the Phoenix Center, where she coordinates the Springfield Harm Reduction Initiative (SHaRI). The SHaRI Project is the Center’s syringe access program, which supplies clean syringes and collects used ones to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C....

Dr. Metraux is a recognized expert on housing and homelessness. He has done pioneering work using administrative and survey data to assess housing outcomes; on how people experiencing homelessness use services in the mental health, criminal justice, child welfare, health care and veteran systems; and how receiving housing and related services interventions impacts the lives of formerly homeless ho...

Dr. Jennifer Ortiz is an Associate Professor at Indiana University Southeast. Dr. Ortiz earned her Ph. D. in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Her research interests center on structural violence within the criminal justice system with a focus on reentry post-incarceration. Ortiz maintains a firm commitment to civil service and activism. Ortiz currently serves as an execu...

Dr. Caitlin Taylor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice at La Salle University in Philadelphia. Her research centers on the collateral consequences of mass incarceration as well as challenges faced by returning citizens. Her work has been published in The Prison Journal, Justice Evaluation Journal, and several others. In this episode, we aimed to convey t...

Mr. Harvey Galler is a 46-year-old formerly incarcerated individual and is the co-founder of the STL Reentry Collective. He served 15 years on installments and has been incarcerated in multiple states. As someone that has been in and out of prison numerous times, he is now using his lived experiences and connections in the community to change the landscape of reentry for formerly incarcerated folk...

Mr. Kardell overcame poverty, gangs, and prison to become a national speaker, 6x author, master certified empowerment coach, and Re-Entry Consultant. After doing state and federal time, Mr. Sims walked out of those prison gates with a blueprint. A blueprint that he put together while incarcerated. His story and his journey is that of Inmate to Inspiration. He shares valuable information he learned...

Jessica Hicklin is a founder and the CTO of UnlockedLabs, a tech nonprofit whose vision is enshrined in its company motto, “Building a better justice system from the inside out.” Jessica came to this role as a formerly incarcerated individual who spent 26 years on the inside during which time she crafted and facilitated many educational initiatives. In partnership with UnlockedLabs and other curre...

Jacob Bitters' is a 34-year-old father of 3 who is desperately trying to rebuild relationships with his children after being out of their lives for so long. While incarcerated, he was fortunate enough to receive a degree from WASHU and to attend LaunchCode (still involved in both). He works with the STL Reentry Collective and is an advisor for WASHU PEP programs. In this episode, we discuss his re...

Our last episode of the mini-series, “The Invisible World of Women’s Correctional Healthcare” is here. Throughout the last couple of weeks, we have discussed the challenges and significance of womens’ healthcare needs. We have learned about the healthcare needs of women incarcerated and the effects of incarceration on their health needs. Join us in our last episode to learn more about the next ste...

Welcome back to our 2nd week of our mini-series, “The Invisible World of Women’s Correctional Healthcare.” KJ and Kelli joined us again to highlight the significance of womens’ healthcare concerns and the overlooked nature of pregnancy behind bars. Tune in to listen to Kelli and KJ describe their experiences with the legal system and the role the legal system has played into their personal narrati...

Welcome to our mini-series, “The Invisible World of Women’s Correctional Healthcare.” Throughout this mini-series, we have collaborated with the Unborn Prisoner Project to delve into the experiences of women while incarcerating and the impact of those experiences after release. Tune in for the next 3-weeks as we explore the healthcare needs and challenges of women, the impact of incarceration, and...

Join us in a conversation with Dr. Robert Dobmeier and Dr. Rafael Outland about the unique challenges of special populations as they are released from incarceration. Dr. Dobmeier and Dr. Outland dive into a conversation about the effects of incarceration on elders, women, and people of color, as well as their needs post incarceration. Dr. Robert Dobmeier is a professor in the SUNY Brockport Counse...

Title: The Realities of Job Searching for Formerly Incarcerated with Dr. Naomi Sugie Dr. Naomi Sugie is an Associate Professor in the Criminology, Law and Society Department and co-director of the Center for Population, Inequality and Policy at the University of California, Irvine. She studies punishment and inequality, including barriers to reentry from incarceration and consequences of criminal...

Natasha Khade works for the University of Cincinnati Correctional Institute (UCCI). She graduated with her PhD in criminology and criminal justice at Arizona State University. Her areas of research include desistance from crime, the reentry and rehabilitation processes for people involved in the system, and the cross cultural application of criminal justice research. Join VanKe'via and Dr. Khade's...

Sadie Masai is an ambitious and passionate author on a mission to educate parents and guardians of Children of Incarcerated Parents (C.I.P). She focuses on the importance of supporting a child through their experience and how to provide a safe space emotionally and mentally for their well-being. Sadie Masai LLC"s mission is to bring awareness to the rampant plague across the entire world to improv...