More Life: The Reentry Podcast

In this episode, VanKe’via leads an independent discussion about various myths that are often associated with justice-involved populations or reentry. She specifically highlighted 5 common myths and context/perspective to debunk these myths. One of the goals for More Life: The Reentry Podcast is to challenge the misconceptions about justice-involved populations and reentry, as well as inform and a...

Ms. Sheba Williams was born and raised in Richmond, VA. She has a multitude of degrees and licenses including a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, a Master’s Instructor license, and professional licenses in Cosmetology and Barbering. While working as a mobile barber stylist and being actively involved in so many community service projects, Sheba found that more people than she realized had...

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...

Dr. Kimberly R. Kras, Ph. D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University, where she teaches in the Criminal Justice and Public Administration programs. She earned her Ph. D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri-St. Louis following a career with the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole. Kim’s research examines the live...

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...

Dr. Chantal Fahmy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She received her Ph. D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. Her research focuses on reentry and reintegration from prison, health criminology, social support, and the health-related consequences of incarceration. Her recent work...

Dr. Audrey Hickert joined the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 2019 after completing her PhD at the University of Albany (SUNY). Her research interests span post-conviction justice interventions, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms that affect life-course trajectories. In this episode, the focus of the conversation was understanding the concept of desistance. This episode hea...

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...

Dwight Pridgeon is a Re-entry Coordinator with the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. He is a graduate of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and is committed to serving Little Rock individuals seeking a second chance in life. Mr. Dwight is also an individual that was given a second chance. In this episode, the focus of the conversation was on defining reentry and what the reentry process entails. Mr...

Dr. Kelly Moore is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Her research aims to improve behavioral health among justice-involved populations, with her primary interests being stigma reduction and access to evidenced-based care within the criminal legal system. In this episode, the focus of the conversation was...

Dr. Breanna Boppre is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Victim Studies at Sam Houston State University. Her research examines system-involvement through gendered and intersectional lenses, carceral system, and the impacts of incarceration on families. In this episode, the focus of the conversation was on how language impacts reentry outcomes and overall perceptions of returni...

Dr. Tamara Kang is an Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She focuses on factors that shape attitudes and beliefs that present barriers to the re-entry process and fuel support for legislation that makes the community feel safer but does not have a specific nor deterrent effect. In this episode, the focus of conversation was the plethora of challenges that returning cit...

Dr. Breanne Pleggenkuhle is an Associate Professor at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She examines the experiences of formerly incarcerated persons and the consequences of having a felony. In this episode, we will discuss the phenomenon of mass incarceration in the U.S., and the impact that it has on communities, especially disadvantaged groups. The topics discussed highlight the facts an...

This trailer episode is an introduction to More Life: The Reentry Podcast, a platform of conversations about offender reentry, advocacy, and reform. More Life will discuss the ramifications of mass incarceration, challenges returning citizens encounter upon release, the importance of supporting returning citizens, and creative and informative ways to support and advocate for returning citizens. Th...