Episode 11 - Molly Kelly - Stigmas, Addiction, and Changing The Narrative

In this episode of the Peaceful Prisons podcast, host Baylen Perata and co-host Abbey Martin engage with Molly Kelly, the Vice President of Programs at The Last Mile. Molly shares her profound journey from addiction and spending time in the system to recovery and empowerment. The conversation delves into the societal stigma surrounding system impacted individuals, the challenges of addiction, and the transformative power of programs like The Last Mile that support reentry into society. Molly's story highlights the importance of personal accountability, the duality of prison experiences, and the need for more rehabilitation services to help individuals change their lives for the better. In this conversation, Molly Kelly shares her journey from lived experience in the carceral system to becoming a vocal advocate for formerly those who are also system impacted. She discusses the changing perceptions of society towards this demographic, the importance of community support and resources for successful reintegration, and the need for therapeutic support. Molly emphasizes the significance of building trust between communities and individuals, the essential programming needed within institutions, and the hope and purpose that can be found after serving time.