Prison: The Hidden Sentence Podcast

Prison is often seen as an ending, but for Jonas Royster , the real transformation began after his release – when deep self-introspection led him to take ownership of his life and turn his lived experience into a powerful force for change. Joining Julia Lazareck, the award-winning author, leadership educator, and CEO of Hood Proverbz shares how reshaping his mindset allowed him to guide incarcerat...

Incarceration and addiction can tear families apart, but today’s episode is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and second chances. Jacklyn Eva shares her deeply moving journey of navigating her husband’s incarceration and their shared battle with addiction, revealing how they’ve maintained their connection and built a foundation of healing and purpose. This episode is a must-listen for...

The first formerly incarcerated person ever elected to the Nevada Legislature, Assemblymember Jovan Jackson , joins us on Prison the Hidden Sentence. From serving time in prison to serving his community in the State Assembly, Jovan’s journey is one of resilience, redemption, and purpose. He opens up about how his lived experience fuels his fight for criminal justice reform, restoring voting rights...

Prison didn’t stop Mark Wilson from becoming a force for good—it’s where his journey into advocacy and restorative justice began. In Part 2, Mark shares how he used his time behind bars to create programs that empowered others to grow, take responsibility, and prepare for life after release. His work didn’t end when the gates opened—today, he’s a paralegal with the Oregon Justice Resource Center ,...

Incarceration doesn’t just impact the person behind bars—it affects entire families. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Mark Wilson shares the beginning of his journey through addiction, incarceration, and the ripple effects it had on his loved ones. As he faced the consequences of his actions and the reality of life in prison, Mark began to reflect deeply on the harm he caused and the chang...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Natasha Blakely, Training and Engagement Specialist at Project Avary , to explore the impact of incarceration on children and families. Natasha shares her personal journey and the purpose that drives her work supporting youth with incarcerated parents. If you're looking to understand the deeper effects of prison beyond the sentence—and how compassion, men...

Incarceration may have ended, but the journey is far from over. In this powerful episode, we continue the story of Jane—now joined by her son, Anthony, who has recently come home after years in prison. Together, they share what life has been like since his release, offering an honest look at the emotional, relational, and practical challenges of reentry. From rebuilding trust to finding a new norm...

Prison forever changed Jane’s world when her son was arrested and sentenced. In Part 1 of this two-part podcast, we’re honored to share her powerful story. Jane is a devoted mother and fierce advocate for her incarcerated son, and instead of staying silent, she chose to speak out. She opens up about the emotional impact of her son’s incarceration, the struggles she’s faced, and the strength she’s...

Sentenced to life in prison as a teenager, Kyle Hedquist defied the odds. Hear his incredible journey from a life sentence to freedom and how he's now driving change in state policy. In 2022, Governor Brown commuted his sentence, and he was released just 20 days later. Now, nearly two years on, Kyle is driving change in state policy with incredible passion. Tune in to hear his inspiring story of r...

Edgar Barens' Academy Award-nominated documentary, “ Prison Terminal ”, has been viewed in over 60 prisons and 80 educational institutions. His unique talent for turning large-scale issues into personal, deeply humane stories. We’ll explore his mission: documenting a groundbreaking prisoner-run hospice program at Iowa State Penitentiary. Hear how Edgar captures the dignity and compassion within th...

Destinee and Mario Redding's remarkable love story endured and flourished through the challenges of Mario's 17-year incarceration. In this powerful episode, they share their journey of Love Incarceration , resilience, and the strength to overcome hardships that seemed insurmountable. Hear firsthand how they navigated the emotional and practical struggles of prison life while maintaining a deep con...

Leslie Ann Turner is a powerful voice in the fight for change, working tirelessly to dismantle mass incarceration and uplift marginalized communities. As a devoted mother, dynamic community organizer, and co-director of the Mass Liberation Project in Nevada, Leslie is on the frontlines advocating for those most impacted by over-policing and the criminal justice system. In this episode, she dives d...

In this episode, we delve into the transformative work of Kate Feigen, a dedicated leader at the Prison Monastery, where she helps incarcerated individuals cultivate more intentional and meaningful lives. Through their program, The Art of Soulmaking, Kate and her team guide those behind bars on a journey of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and personal liberation. By fostering an environment of m...

In this episode, we welcome Ron and Catherine Tijerina, the visionary founders of The RIDGE Project . As co-executive directors, they lead a national nonprofit organization and the international TYRO curricula, both dedicated to supporting families affected by incarceration. The Ridge Project offers a range of services, including direct support, family day events, youth programs, case management,...

In this episode, Jim Cox from Ashland University joins us to share eye-opening insights into their transformative educational programs for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Discover compelling stories of resilience and success, learn how education can reduce recidivism, and understand the powerful impact these programs have on individuals and society. This inspiring conversation...

Welcome to the Prison: The Hidden Sentence podcast, where today we are going to explore the transformative impact of empowering today's youth. In this episode, Sheree Corniel shares her story with podcast host, Julia Lazareck. When Sheree's siblings were incarcerated, she began questioning the criminal justice system at an early age, which led to her working within it for many years. During this t...

Join Kayla Victor, the Chair of the Connecting for Justice International Conference , and Julia Lazareck, founder of Prison The Hidden Sentence and president of Prison Families Alliance, as they discuss the significance of this year's event, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories and gaining insights from diverse perspectives. From individuals with loved ones in the carceral system to couns...

The bars only physically separate a person from his family, but family bonds go beyond bars. In this heartfelt podcast episode, join Ashley as she opens up about the profound changes that ensued when her husband became incarcerated, affecting not only her but also her four children. Ashley candidly shares her journey – from the initial discovery to navigating the complexities of discussing the sit...

Incarceration can take away hope's wings, but a helping hand can mend them, allowing hope to soar again. In this compelling episode, join us on a journey through over five decades of unwavering advocacy with Barbara Allan and David Rothenberg . Discover the inspiring story of their transformative efforts, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those formerly incarcerated and their families. Fro...

The primary mission of the Prison Families Alliance (PFA) is to elevate awareness about the far-reaching effects of incarceration on families and communities and to support those on the outside who have loved ones in the carceral system. In this podcast, you'll hear from guests who share their experiences and innovative approaches to supporting individuals who navigate the holidays with an incarce...

Julia Lazareck is the founder of Prison: The Hidden Sentence and co-founder of Prison Families Alliance along with co-founder Barbara Allan. They are both passionate about supporting anyone who has a loved one in the carceral system and raising awareness about the effects of incarceration on families and communities You can find their must-read books on Amazon, for anyone with children or a loved...

Julia Lazareck is the founder of Prison: The Hidden Sentence and co-founder of Prison Families Alliance along with co-founder Barbara Allan. They are both passionate about supporting anyone who has a loved one in the carceral system and raising awareness about the effects of incarceration on families and communities You can find their must-read books on Amazon, for anyone with children or a loved...

Kids don’t have to be bad, have bad parents, or live in bad homes to suffer mental health breakdowns, addiction, or incarceration. Everything can change instantly. If it has happened to your family, you know the feeling of losing control and the emotional chaos that comes with it.  Lorri Britt , the author of  My Heart Behind Bars , said that she felt shame, guilt, and loneliness when he...

“ Sometimes a person needs to hear hard truths to change.” -  Michael Liebowitz .   In Part 1, Michael shared his journey to rehabilitation while incarcerated for 25 years. He had prepared for the day of his release from prison for many years. In this second part of his conversation with Julia Lazareck, he shares how fortunate he is to have family support and a place to live. He explains...

Michael Liebowitz  shares his story about his rehabilitation in prison, his desire to change, and his epiphany of how he could change. He remembered a training course he took when he was younger and drew upon that experience. Hence, he started reading books on self-improvement to educate himself on becoming a better person. On his journey, he shared his stories on talk shows and mentored othe...