Unintended Consequences

In Episode 6 of Unintended Consequences, Mike Shelton sits down with Erin Engelke, CEO of ReMerge, one of the nation's most innovative diversion programs for justice-involved mothers.Created in response to Oklahoma's historically high rate of female incarceration, ReMerge offers an alternative to prison by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, including addiction, trauma, mental health challenges, poverty, and instability.Erin shares how ReMerge helps mothers rebuild their lives, reunite with their children, secure employment, find housing, and break generational cycles of incarceration.This conversation explores:• Why Oklahoma created ReMerge• Addiction, trauma, and justice involvement• Alternatives to incarceration• Diversion programs that work• Family reunification and child welfare• Breaking generational cycles of poverty and incarceration• Employment and long-term recovery• The role of accountability in diversion programs• Public safety and rehabilitation• The future of criminal justice reform in OklahomaWith a recidivism rate of just 3.6%, ReMerge is proving that accountability, dignity, support, and opportunity can transform lives and strengthen communities.Learn more about ReMerge:https://remergeok.orgLearn more about Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform:https://okjusticereform.org#UnintendedConsequences #ReMerge #ErinEngelke #CriminalJusticeReform #OCJR

In Episode 5 of Unintended Consequences, Mike Shelton sits down with Meagan Taylor, Executive Director of Diversion Hub, to discuss one of Oklahoma's most innovative approaches to criminal justice reform.Diversion Hub serves thousands of Oklahomans impacted by the criminal legal system by connecting them with housing, employment, treatment, transportation, identification services, family support, and other critical resources that create long-term stability.Drawing from her experience as a former prosecutor, Meagan shares how Oklahoma can improve public safety, reduce recidivism, and strengthen communities by focusing on people rather than punishment.This conversation explores:• The mission and impact of Diversion Hub• Why stability is critical to reducing incarceration• Housing, employment, and mental health barriers• The connection between poverty and criminal justice involvement• Why people fail to appear in court• Reentry and reintegration after incarceration• Family impacts of the justice system• Diversion vs. incarceration• Accountability and public safety• The future of criminal justice reform in OklahomaIf you care about public safety, criminal justice reform, community impact, mental health, housing, or building stronger Oklahoma communities, this episode is for you.Learn more about Diversion Hub:https://www.diversionhub.org

In Episode 4 of Unintended Consequences, Mike Shelton continues his conversation with Glynn Simmons, who spent 48 years, 5 months, and 18 days in prison for a crime he did not commit.But this conversation is not about wrongful conviction. It is about what comes next.After gaining his freedom, Glynn made a decision that surprised many people. Instead of leaving Oklahoma behind, he stayed and committed himself to helping others successfully transition back into society.In this episode, Glynn shares the vision behind Grace Redemption Salvation (GRS), a reentry organization designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals find housing, employment, stability, and purpose during the critical first months after release.The conversation also introduces James Lewis, who entered prison at just 14 years old and spent 38 years incarcerated before being released. Today, James is rebuilding his life through the support of GRS and Free Man Foods.This episode explores:• Life after wrongful conviction• Reentry and reintegration challenges• Housing and employment after prison• Recidivism and public policy• Criminal justice reform in Oklahoma• Faith, purpose, and second chances• Why support systems matter• The challenges facing formerly incarcerated women and men• Grace Redemption Salvation (GRS)• Building a future after decades behind barsThis conversation highlights an often-overlooked reality: freedom is only the beginning. Long-term success requires opportunity, community, accountability, and support.Subscribe for more conversations exploring the real-life impact of criminal justice policy and reform across Oklahoma.Learn more about Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform:https://www.ocjr.orgLearn more about Grace Redemption Salvation:https://www.graceredemptionsalvationinc.org#UnintendedConsequences #GlynnSimmons #JamesLewis #CriminalJusticeReform #OCJR

In Episode 3, Part 1 of Unintended Consequences, Mike Shelton sits down with Glynn Simmons, a man who spent 48 years, 5 months, and 18 days in prison for a crime he did not commit.After moving to Oklahoma from Louisiana, Glynn was arrested just 30 days later, convicted of murder, sentenced to death, and forced to spend nearly five decades fighting for his freedom. Throughout this powerful conversation, he shares the emotional toll of wrongful conviction, surviving death row, maintaining hope through unimaginable circumstances, and the faith that carried him through some of the darkest moments of his life.This episode explores:• Wrongful conviction and innocence• Death row and prison life• Police misconduct and hidden evidence• Faith, resilience, and survival• Mental health during incarceration• Family support through decades of imprisonment• Learning the law from prison• Fighting for freedom• Life after exoneration• The power of perseverance and hopeGlynn's story is not only about what happened to him. It is about the countless people whose stories have never been heard and the importance of continuing to pursue justice for those still fighting to prove their innocence.Subscribe for more conversations exploring the real-life impact of Oklahoma's justice system and the people affected by it.

In Episode 2 of Unintended Consequences, Mike Shelton sits down with former Oklahoma Speaker of the House Kris Steele for a powerful conversation about mass incarceration, justice reform, public safety, and the future of Oklahoma.Kris Steele shares the story behind Oklahoma’s rise to having one of the highest incarceration rates in the country and explains how decades of “tough on crime” policies created unintended consequences for families, communities, education, and the economy.This episode explores:• Why Oklahoma became a leader in incarceration• The impact of poverty, addiction, trauma, and mental health• Racial disparities in the justice system• Why accountability and punishment are not the same thing• How diversion programs reduce crime and strengthen communities• The connection between incarceration and education• Why smart-on-crime policies matter• The role of lawmakers, voting, and community investment• Solutions that actually improve public safety long-termKris Steele also discusses the work being done through TEAM (The Education and Employment Ministry), diversion programs across Oklahoma, and why treatment, education, and opportunity are key to reducing incarceration rates.If you care about criminal justice reform, public safety, Oklahoma policy, incarceration, education, mental health, or community transformation, this is a conversation you need to hear.Subscribe for more conversations exploring the real-life impact of policy decisions across Oklahoma.

In the first episode of Unintended Consequences, hosted by Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, Mike Shelton sits down with Jed Chappell, founder and executive director of City Center in Oklahoma City.Jed shares his powerful story of growing up in Oklahoma City, losing his father at a young age, becoming involved in drugs and armed robbery, being shot by police, and receiving a 47-year prison sentence. But this episode is not just about incarceration. It is about redemption, second chances, mentorship, community transformation, and the power of dignity-driven support systems.Today, Jed leads City Center, an organization serving families, young people, and justice-impacted individuals through mentorship, food access, clothing support, and community care.This conversation explores:• Oklahoma’s incarceration crisis• Prison rehabilitation and lived experience• Mentorship and youth intervention• Trauma, poverty, and systemic barriers• Reentry and second chances• Community leadership and restorative support• Why dignity matters in social services• The unintended consequences of policy decisionsIf you care about criminal justice reform, community impact, faith, redemption stories, or creating better outcomes for Oklahoma families, this episode is for you.Subscribe for more conversations exploring the real-life impact of policy, incarceration, and reform in Oklahoma.Learn more about OCJR:https://www.ocjr.orgLearn more about City Center:https://www.citycenterokc.org