Voices Unlocked - Prisoners' Fragile Lifelines to the Outside World

Prisoners' Fragile Lifelines to the Outside World

08/31/23 • 15 min

The official end of the COVID pandemic means there may be a return to paid phone calls for federal prisoners and their families. In this episode, DC resident incarcerated in a Kentucky federal prison explains all the ways the Bureau of Prisons makes it hard to maintain connections.

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.

Previous Episode

Feeling Voiceless

In this first episode of Voices Unlocked, co-hosts Pam Bailey and Shaka Long interview Rob Barton, incarcerated in a high-security federal penitentiary in Florida. "There are walls around the jail, and then gates; actually, we can't even see the gates. I can’t really see the sky from a penitentiary," he says. "It makes me feel like invisible, and like I can't reach out to nobody for help."

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.

Next Episode

Inflation! Even Pennies Count in Prison

Have you ever pondered how inflation affects those far removed from the free market? Join us as we explore the hidden impact of inflation on incarcerated individuals, as shared by Jeremy Fontanez -- currently living behind bars in a federal prison in Maryland. A gifted artist and writer, Jeremy pulls back the curtain on the often overlooked aspect of prison life, revealing how even the bare necessities can be beyond reach. He offers a glimpse into the fundamental role of the commissary, a store within the federal prison walls, and how it fills the gaps left by the spartan supplies provided by the prison.
We also delve into the financial struggles faced by prisoners against the backdrop of ever-rising inflation. Jeremy's poignant story brings alive the harsh reality of how a minor price hike can drastically affect those surviving on limited funds and scarce job opportunities.
But there are possible solutions. We discuss the potential of Sen. Cory Booker's S.516 bill, legislation designed to ensure that prisoners are paid a fair wage for their labor.

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.

Voices Unlocked - Prisoners' Fragile Lifelines to the Outside World

Transcript

SHAKA LONG : Welcome to Voices Unlocked. This is your comrade Shaka, and I'm here with my co-host, Pamela Bailey, co-founder of More Than Our Crimes. How're you doing today?

PAM BAILEY: Great. And today we're gonna be discussing President Biden's recent decision to end the public health emergency for COVID. There's been a lot of discussion because some people out here are still getting sick. But the ending of the public health emergency had a particularl