Prison Exposed

In this episode, Hope and guest, Katie, explore the complex intersections of confinement, disability, homelessness, and policy. They discuss and analyze recent policy shifts, legal decisions, and real-world cases to understand how systemic frameworks shape support and confinement. Emmanuel Fru- Linktree (Gofundme, Change.org petition, etc..) The Remedy Project- Website Donate Here Prison Exposed-...

This episode opens the season by examining how recent policy shifts are reshaping the justice system, from the expanding definition of political violence to sentencing, prison placement, and conditions of confinement. Through reporting, case examples, and institutional analysis, we explore how discretionary power moves through the system and what those changes mean not only for incarcerated people...

This episode explores the harrowing case of Shane Cratty, highlighting systemic issues in federal prisons including medical neglect, psychological abuse, excessive force, and procedural obstruction. Through detailed recounting, it underscores the urgent need for external oversight and accountability to prevent such abuses. Links: Shane Cratty's Campaign

This episode explores the harrowing case of Kevion Rogers. It highlights systemic failures in medical care post incarceration and within the prison system. It also looks at the broader issues of racial bias, control, and neglect in carceral environments.

In this insightful interview, David Simpson discusses the enduring legacy of the slavery mindset, its influence on systemic oppression, mass incarceration, and societal conditioning. He shares personal experiences, historical context, and actionable steps to challenge and reprogram this deeply embedded culture. Resources: The Slavery Mindset: Jim Crow Culture in the United States Criminal Justice...

To close out our Supermax Twin series, we speak with Vishal Agraharkar of the ACLU of Virginia about Thorpe v. Virginia Department of Corrections, the class-action lawsuit challenging conditions in Red Onion State Prison and Wallens Ridge State Prison. Using this case as a lens, we examine the use of prolonged solitary confinement, ongoing litigation, and the broader questions of transparency and...

In this episode hosts Sahai and Hope zoom out of the supermax twins to a broader discussion of Virginia corrections with Uhuru Asadi. Uhuru shares his journey through Virginia’s prison system, from being sentenced to 78 years at 19 to ultimately receiving a conditional pardon. He reflects on the realities of incarceration, the mindset required to survive long-term confinement, and what it takes to...

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Sahai and Hope speak with journalist Dave Cantor about his reporting on Virginia’s prisons. The conversation explores the challenges of covering carceral systems, the impact of government policies, and broader questions around oversight and accountability. Dave also discusses the role of media in bringing attention to these issues and the need for sustained...

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Sahai and Hope speak with Nick Szuberla, a director and media advocate, to discuss the documentary Up the Ridge and Injustice: Hidden Crisis in Virginia's Prisons and the broader implications of supermax prisons in Virginia. The conversation explores the evolution of community media, the ethical responsibilities of documentary filmmakers, and the impact...

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai, along with guests Zora and Katie, discuss the documentaries 'Up the Ridge' and 'Solitary,' exploring the realities of supermax prisons in Virginia. They discuss the emotional and economic impacts on communities, the racial dynamics at play, and the human cost of incarceration. The conversation highlights the struggles of families affected by...

This episode continues our examination of the systemic violence and control mechanisms inside Virginia’s supermax prisons, Red Onion and Wallens Ridge. Picking up in 2024, we trace a series of escalating events, including accounts of self-immolation, multiple deaths inside Red Onion, assaults on correctional officers at Wallens Ridge and River North, and the institutional responses that followed....

This episode examines the systemic violence and control mechanisms inside Virginia’s supermax prisons, Red Onion and Wallens Ridge. Originally justified as facilities for the “worst of the worst,” these prisons frequently house individuals with release dates, many struggling with serious mental health challenges. This episode traces the history of documented abuse, the expansion of interstate tran...

This conversation delves into the harsh realities of life inside supermax prisons, Red Onion and Wallens Ridge, through the eyes of Willie, a person formally incarcerated. He shares his experiences of being transferred to Red Onion, and later to Wallens Ridge, the brutal conditions, and the systemic abuse faced by those inside. The discussion highlights the importance of advocacy, the need for a p...

This episode of Prison Exposed delves into the alarming conditions at Red Onion and Wallens Ridge, two supermax prisons in Virginia. The hosts discuss the personal journey to these facilities, the isolation of the surrounding communities, and the economic struggles faced by towns like Pound, Virginia. They explore the dynamics of incarceration, the role of correctional officers, and the racial imp...

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Sahai and Hope engage in a thoughtful conversation with Dana Martin, the program manager for Music For The Future, a project under Project Music Heals Us. They explore the transformative power of music in the lives of incarcerated individuals, discussing how creative expression can facilitate healing, build trust, and foster connection. Dana shares her work...

In this episode, hosts Hope and Sahai engage in a profound conversation with Christopher Trenchfield, a victim of wrongful incarceration. Christopher shares his harrowing experience of being wrongfully arrested, and the systemic betrayal he felt at every turn. He recounts the subsequent abuse he endured while in detention, and discusses the role of the Remedy Project in advocating for his release....

In this update episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Sahai and Hope sit down with Alex Mello to talk about what it means to navigate serious medical concerns inside the federal prison system, and how those experiences continue to shape life after release. Alex recounts his experiences seeking care while incarcerated, including delayed follow-up, conflicting medical interpretations, and the structural b...

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai discuss the recent prison reform bill signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, which aims to improve oversight in New York's correctional facilities. They explore the implications of the bill, particularly in light of the tragic case of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, who were killed by correctional officers. The conversation delves into the cu...

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai explore public perceptions of policing and incarceration through street interviews in Washington D.C. and New York City. They discuss the prevalent fear surrounding prisons, personal stories of those affected by the justice system, and the need for reformative justice that emphasizes community building and support rather than punishment. The...

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai engage with Calvin, a former correctional officer at a low-security facility in Arkansas. Calvin shares her journey into the correctional system, detailing the challenges and realities of working in a prison environment. The conversation explores daily responsibilities, the importance of building relationships with incarcerated individuals, a...

This episode examines the death of J’Allen Jones, a man with schizophrenia who died inside a Connecticut  prison after officers used extreme force during a strip search. We break down how a routine transfer, a dehumanizing search, and the misinterpretation of a psychiatric episode led to a fatal escalation. We challenge the assumption that strip searches are necessary for safety, explore evidence-...

In this episode, the Remedy Project discusses the case of Christopher Boose, who suffered severe medical neglect while incarcerated in Mississippi. The conversation highlights systemic issues within prison healthcare, the culture of indifference among staff, and the importance of advocacy and accountability. David Z Simpson shares insights from his experiences and emphasizes the need for cultural...

The conversation delves into the implications of pre-conviction status on an individual's humanity, exploring how society perceives those who are incarcerated. It highlights the excessive nature of punishment before a conviction and questions the societal norms that strip individuals of their human status upon incarceration, as well as the long lasting effects this treatment has on individuals.

In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai delve into the harrowing stories of incarcerated individuals, focusing on systemic abuses within correctional facilities. They discuss the experiences of Jerry Cooper, Jamel Gordon, and Christopher Trenchfield, highlighting issues such as retaliation, mental health exploitation, and the damaging effects of solitary confinement. The conversati...

Summary In this episode of Prison Exposed, hosts Hope and Sahai engage with bioethicist Evan Thornburg to discuss the intersection of health care and incarceration. The conversation explores how institutions shape visibility and care for incarcerated individuals, focusing on the ethical dilemmas surrounding the death penalty, particularly through the case of Byron Black. The discussion also highli...