EPISODE · May 14, 2026 · 50 MIN
NC prisons' dire funding shortage. Former inmate Kerwin Pittman on buying a prison
from Due South · host Jeff Tiberii, Leoneda Inge
0:01:00North Carolina’s prisons face a crisis of staffing and fundingNorth Carolina’s 55 prisons are operating at minimum staffing, in a steep funding deficit. The state’s Department of Adult Correction is in need of an updated budget that accounts for the growing and aging prison population. WUNC News’ Colin Campbell updates Due South on the current state of the carceral system. This Due South encore conversation originally aired April 15, 2026. Colin Campbell, Capital Bureau Chief, WUNC News0:13:00Former inmate and recidivism reduction activist Kerwin Pittman’s journey to success Kerwin Pittman spent more than 11 years in the North Carolina prison system. With the support of family, he was able to navigate the re-entry process upon his release, becoming a recidivism reduction activist in the process. Eight years after his release, Pittman has become the first formerly incarcerated person in the United States to purchase a prison campus. This Due South encore conversation originally aired April 15, 2026. Kerwin Pittman, founder of Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services, Inc.0:33:00The creators of 'Ear Hustle,' the first podcast produced in prisonEar Hustle is the first podcast produced in prison. It’s brought stories from life inside to international audiences. It’s been a finalist for two Pulitzer Prizes. Jeff Tiberii talks with the creators, Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor. This Due South encore conversation originally aired August 6, 2025.Earlonne Woods, co-host of the Ear Hustle Podcast, which he started while serving 31 years to life at San Quentin State Prison in 2017Nigel Poor, visual artist and co-host of Ear Hustle
What this episode covers
0:01:00 North Carolina’s prisons face a crisis of staffing and funding North Carolina’s 55 prisons are operating at minimum staffing, in a steep funding deficit. The state’s Department of Adult Correction is in need of an updated budget that accounts for the growing and aging prison population. WUNC News’ Colin Campbell updates Due South on the current state of the carceral system. This Due South encore conversation originally aired April 15, 2026. Colin Campbell, Capital Bureau Chief, WUNC News 0:13:00 Former inmate and recidivism reduction activist Kerwin Pittman’s journey to success Kerwin Pittman spent more than 11 years in the North Carolina prison system. With the support of family, he was able to navigate the re-entry process upon his release, becoming a recidivism reduction activist in the process. Eight years after his release, Pittman has become the first formerly incarcerated person in the United States to purchase a prison campus. This Due South encore conversation originally aired April 15, 2026. Kerwin Pittman, founder of Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services, Inc. 0:33:00 The creators of 'Ear Hustle,' the first podcast produced in prison Ear Hustle is the first podcast produced in prison. It’s brought stories from life inside to international audiences. It’s been a finalist for two Pulitzer Prizes. Jeff Tiberii talks with the creators, Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor. This Due South encore conversation originally aired August 6, 2025. Earlonne Woods, co-host of the Ear Hustle Podcast, which he started while serving 31 years to life at San Quentin State Prison in 2017 Nigel Poor, visual artist and co-host of Ear Hustle
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NC prisons' dire funding shortage. Former inmate Kerwin Pittman on buying a prison
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