Voices Unlocked

The alarms we hear in this conversation aren’t sirens—they’re missed test results, canceled consults, and doors that won’t open after midnight. We pull back the curtain on federal prison healthcare through first‑hand accounts of delayed diagnoses, security protocols that override treatment, and the grinding bureaucracy that turns a simple appointment into a six‑month wait. You’ll hear how a man’s PSA rose from seven to twenty‑four while no one explained what it meant, why biopsies and MRIs require multiple layers of approval and armed escorts, and how even federal medical centers can become places where crises are contained rather than health restored.We talk candidly about culture: custody officers as first responders deciding whether someone is “faking it,” nurses and PAs carrying physician‑level load without the authority to cut through red tape, and lockdowns that freeze sick call when care is needed most. We unpack the staffing crisis—one doctor stretched across multiple facilities, transport teams that don’t materialize, and consults routinely booked half a year out. Through stories of infections ignored, bones healing crooked, and a pillbox that became a labyrinth, we show how policies meant to prevent escapes end up preventing medicine.This isn’t just a catalog of failures; it’s a map to change. We highlight the pressure points that work—direct outreach to the right Bureau of Prisons contacts, documentation that frames delays as liability risks, and legal strategies that move people to treatment faster. We also outline practical reforms: guaranteed access to lab results, medical triage led by clinicians rather than custody, protected staffing for healthcare roles, and performance metrics tied to medically indicated timelines. If you care about public safety, you should care about the care people receive inside; the health that returns home is shaped by what happens behind those walls.Subscribe to stay with us as we amplify voices from inside, share this with someone who thinks delays are harmless, and leave a review with the one reform you’d prioritize first. Your feedback helps push this conversation—and real change—forward.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.

We share how Eyone Williams is reclaiming the name "DC Blacks" and trace how his support network grew from social posts into real connections. We go on to challenge a new push to try DC kids as adults and remove judicial discretion for people under 24. Our stories show how adult prisons teach violence to children and why prevention and second chances work.We explore:• The DC-to-federal prison pipeline.• The early indoctrination of youth on juvenile blocks and in jail.• The myths of the super predator narrative in the media.• Why teens’ impulsivity and environment matter for accountability.• The healing offered by violence interruption, credible messengers and second-look sentencingFollow 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.

Take a journey behind prison walls where artistic expression becomes both sanctuary and act of resistance. In this captivating conversation, artist Kobi Mowatt shares his remarkable story of creating powerful visual art during his 29-year federal prison sentence, revealing how creativity preserved his humanity in an environment designed to suppress it.Kobi's artistic journey began long before incarceration but flourished within confinement where he developed a distinctive style using pastels—a medium chosen specifically because it allowed him to create in his cell rather than designated hobby areas with limited access. "I just disappear from what's going on in the place," Kobi explains, describing how art transported him beyond his physical reality. "Sometimes it'd be five, six hours I'm gone. I'm not even here, I'm inside the painting."More than mere distraction, Kobi's artwork became political commentary and historical documentation. His piece "A Beautiful Rising" reimagined the George Floyd protests with bold imagery challenging systemic oppression, while other works connected struggles in Gaza with global resistance movements. These expressions of solidarity and critique reveal how art functions as resistance—and why prison officials actively work to suppress it through censorship and cell raids.Perhaps most revealing is how society devalues these creative contributions once labeled as "prison art." As Kobi notes, "I didn't want my art to be labeled prison art. I just wanted it to be art." This powerful observation cuts to the heart of how we dismiss human potential behind bars. Co-host Rob Barton puts it plainly: "I'm not exceptional or a unicorn, I'm actually the norm... a lot of the people we advocate for just made mistakes in their life and deserve second chances." Their conversation unveils the extraordinary talent and humanity flourishing despite—or perhaps because of—the harshest circumstances, challenging us to see beyond the label of "prisoner" to the artists, thinkers, and whole persons waiting to be recognized.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.

What happens when a person with a life sentence is suddenly offered the possibility of freedom? Rob Barton entered prison at just 16 with a 30-year-to-life sentence, facing a future he could barely comprehend. Now free after nearly three decades behind bars, he takes us on a revealing journey through the psychology of incarceration and the transformative power of hope."When you're in a mansion, you live like you're in a mansion, but when you're in the woods, you adapt to the woods," Rob explains, capturing the essence of how prison forces adaptation. Without prospects for freedom, people naturally acclimate to their environment in ways that can work against rehabilitation. The mind-bending reality of prison life creates a parallel culture with its own norms – what Rob calls "bidding" – developing routines that make endless time bearable.The game-changer was DC's Second Look Law, allowing those who entered prison young to petition for release based on rehabilitation after serving 15 years. This legislation created something precious that had been missing: hope. Rob reveals how this hope transformed not just his outlook but the entire prison culture, inspiring people to pursue education and programming they'd previously ignored.Through powerful personal stories and conversations with others still behind bars, Rob exposes the broken promises of the federal parole system, which routinely denies release even when people meet all requirements. The contrast with second-look laws is striking – of approximately 150 people released under DC's law, fewer than a handful have reoffended.Today, Rob describes himself as having transitioned from being "a product of to a creator of" his reality – embodying the core message that people are truly more than their worst mistakes. His story offers compelling evidence that rehabilitation is possible and that society benefits when we provide meaningful pathways to redemption, regardless of the original crime.Join us for this eye-opening conversation that challenges conventional thinking about punishment, rehabilitation, and who deserves a second chance. Subscribe now to support our work advocating for those still behind bars.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.

Three prison journalists and activists share how they have countered  retaliation for exposing corruption and inhumane conditions inside America's federal detention facilities. They risked solitary confinement, prison transfers, parole denials and blocked communication - yet remain committed to fighting a system they describe as a "machine that is counterproductive to rehabilitation."Robert Barton co-founded More Than Our Crimes and was denied parole. Pam Bailey, his partner, saw her email address blocked at multiple federal prisons.Askia Afrika-Ber published exposés on prison corruption at USP McCreary, resulting in 90 days of solitary confinement and transfer to one of the worst facilities, USP Hazelton.All three continue their advocacy despite the risks, drawing inspiration from civil rights leaders who put their lives on the line. Listeners can support prison journalism by following their work, visiting their website, and sharing informationThe next episode will explore the laws and institutions that initially worked against Rob's release and those that finally allowed him to gain freedom.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.

Housing is at the heart of successful reentry when returning home from prison. Join Voices Unlocked as we expose the human stories behind the reality that returning citizens are 10 times more likely to face homelessness than the general population. Through deeply personal narratives from our guests Delonte Williams, Alexander Penn and Darnell Keys, we explore the urgent need for stable housing and the emotional strain it places on those fighting to rebuild their lives. Delonte shares his apprehension about returning to a neighborhood that could jeopardize his future, while Alex opens up about the struggle of reconnecting with loved ones after years apart. But the complications don’t end there. Hear from Tee Peters and Darnell Keyes as they explain the bureaucratic maze of housing support and the inequities that undermine their journey to reintegration. Discover how stigmatizing conditions in available housing options can feel like an extension of incarceration, and the dire need for empathy from policymakers and nonprofits alike. The episode calls for a powerful shift: empowering returning citizens by listening to their lived experiences and involving them in crafting solutions. It’s a call to break down barriers and foster a more inclusive, supportive environment for those looking to redefine their futures post-incarceration.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.

What if the pathway to freedom after incarceration was assisted with opportunities rather than riddled with obstacles? Join us as we peel back the layers of the halfway house system, officially known as residential reentry centers, with special guest Darnell Keyes. We dive into firsthand experiences from cities like Baltimore and Ohio, highlighting the glaring inconsistencies in management and support that can make or break a person's reentry journey. Darnell's story of struggle is juxtaposed with Alexander Penn's more positive experience, revealing the urgent need for standardized practices and oversight to ensure halfway houses truly support reintegration.The episode takes a particularly close look at staffs' inability to manage the pervasive issue of drug abuse, focusing on the synthetic drug K2. Hear firsthand accounts of the chaos that ensues when untrained staff are left to handle medical emergencies without adequate resources or support. We question why the Bureau of Prisons emphasizes personal responsibility over structural support, when on-site addiction treatment and mental health services could help both those in the throes of addiction and residents who are trying to start normal lives. Our discussion probes the gap between what's needed and what's provided, raising vital questions about the resources necessary for a safe and supportive reentry.We also tackle the bureaucratic hurdles that complicate life in halfway houses, from securing approvals for daily activities to accepting the movement restrictions imposed with global positioning monitors. As we look to the future, the construction of a new halfway house in DC offers a glimmer of hope, affirming the potential for meaningful change in how we support individuals transitioning back into society.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.

Civic engagement is essential to a healthy democracy. The traditional form of civic engagement is voting -- a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, but taken away from most people once they become incarcerated. DC residents, however, have had that right restored, and cohosts Pam Bailey and Terrell "Tee" Peters interview two individuals behind bars about why they want to participate in the election -- or why not.We also talk about other ways to be active citizens, beyond voting, and how a recent Bureau of Prisons restriction on the use of email is making it harder for those it confines to stay connected to their communities. 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.

Have you ever pondered the purpose of your life? That's a difficult question to answer for anyone, but in prison it's a challenge to answer.  In this thought-provoking episode of Voices Unlocked, Pam Bailey and Tee Peters explore this question inspired by the book, "The Why Café." They are joined by Rob Barton, who is still in prison, and Cordell Miller, who was recently released, but then deported. Can e person find purpose and meaning in prison? We look at the myriad ways prisoners find a way to spend their time, whether it's learning the law, setting records for burpees, learning to crochet or -- less constructively -- gambling and drug dealing. Rob and Cordell, however, became change makers. Tune in, and think about how YOU would answer the question: Why are you here?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.

A simple hug can make a world of difference for someone behind bars. Join us as we sit down with Gene Downing, a former prisoner-turned-advocate, and Robert Barton, co-founder of More Than Our Crimes, to discuss the emotional and logistical labyrinth of prison visits. Gene shares his most traumatic memory of the power correctional officers wield over family connections: the day his daughter was turned away from a highly anticipated visit. And Rob takes us deeper into the heartache and hope that accompany the rare moments of physical touch with loved ones.Picture this: A family travels hundreds of miles, enduring financial strain and struggles to comply with the strict dress code, only to face the crushing disappointment of a canceled visit due to constant threat of a "lockdown." We share how the system's failures and oversights add to the emotional toll on both prisoners and their families. Through their stories, we explore the stringent security measures, from underwire bras triggering alarms to invasive searches, and question the necessity and ethics of these practices.This episode offers ad eye-opening explanation of the struggles surrounding prison visits, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms that prioritize social ties and the psychological well-being of adults in custody and their families. Listen in and join the call for a more compassionate approach to criminal justice.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.

Imagine being separated from your children by thousands of miles and concrete walls -- for years and even decades. This is the reality that our guests, Robert Davis and Ron Hill, courageously share as they recount their struggle to parent from the confines of prison. They share their secrets to maintaining and even strengthening bonds with children, from participating in parenting classes to creating interactive stories. Their stories are testaments to the power of hope, resilience and love.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.

In the second part of this podcast series about prison lockdowns, we hear from our guests behind bars WHY the federal Bureau of Prisons uses this tactic so much. Watch to see the rather dramatic ending.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.

You've probably heard of solitary confinement in the "hole," and know the mental toll that comes with it. But did you know that "lockdowns" are confining people to their cells for weeks and months at a time in entire prisons? Hosts Conrad Stewart and Pam Bailey discuss this trend, which accelerated during COVID, and look at the accompanying  psychological strain and barriers to rehabilitation. We think you'll find the conversation to be an eye-opener, challenging preconceived notions of what is required to assure "security" and the profound impact on lives behind bars.We also offer an intimate look at the policy shifts post-Bernie Madoff's suicide—a shift that insists prisoners should never be alone—which has sparked a chain reaction of violence and unrest among mismatched cellmates. We dissect the ripple effects of frequent lockdowns on prisoners' mental health and the critical role routine plays in maintaining stability within the chaos of the prison system. Subscribe and tune in for a narrative that pierces the veil of the federal Bureau of Prisons, exposing the complex interaction of policy, humanity, and confinement.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.

When you sit down to your next meal,  be thankful for the small joy that good food offers. People in prison long for that same pleasantry. Join Pam Bailey and Irving Brockman as they share the punishing reality of prison food, with insights from current prisoners Elijah Williams, Wallace Mitchell, Askia Afrika-Ber and Tyrone Briscoe. You'll hear about empty stomaches, moldy bread, rotten fruit and insect-laden grains. isn't just a health hazard—it's a daily struggle for dignity. 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.

Have you ever wondered what holidays feel like behind bars? We unlock this topic via an insightful discussion with our guest cohost, Ray Dodd, a formerly incarcerated paralegal, and a "lifer" named Wayne La Fleur, who recites an emotionally charged poem. Our conversation also ventures into the realm of prison reform and the impact of  photocopying mail, the introduction of tablets and the consequences for mental health, especially during the holiday season. We round off our episode with a deep-dive into the diminishing ways for families to send gifts and the varied perceptions around New Year's. We also share some tips on how to share the holiday season when writing and talking to incarcerated individuals. And, if you want to spread your holiday charity to people inside federal prison, we invite you to join send a message of appreciation to members of the More Than Our Crimes network. Our goal is to show that those behind bars are seen, heard and valued. 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.

Have you ever wondered how childhood trauma influences criminal behavior or wrestled with the decision to forgive? Join us for a riveting episode of Voices Unlocked, in which we explore these thought-provoking questions with three unique guests:  Conrad Stewart, released from prison after 26 years; Ricardo Davis, who is still incarcerated; and Nana Dufier, a widow of a murder victim. Together, we explore the complex dynamics of crime, punishment and redemption —  and whether the divide between two different types of hurt people can be bridged.We kick off the conversation with Conrad shedding light on the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) - an act that offers a beacon of hope to those seeking a second chance at life. Then Nana courageously shares her personal journey as a widow, painting a vivid picture of the impact crime has had on her life. The unsettling increase in crime rates, particularly in DC, is also brought to the fore, underscoring the challenges of advocating for second chances. We then pivot to discuss the ripple effects of criminal behavior. Ricardo Davis, a guest voice, passionately talks about the Victim Impact classes in prison, a potential game-changer.As we move to the final part of our discussion, we delve into the emotional labyrinth of forgiveness and redemption. We challenge you, our listeners, to reevaluate your preconceptions about forgiveness. Through Nana's heart-wrenching journey and the experiences shared by our guests, we offer a deeper insight into forgiveness as a personal process, and perhaps, a stepping stone towards true rehabilitation. In this episode of Voices Unlocked, we hope we spark an ongoing conversation on crime, punishment and forgiveness, and urge our listeners to consider these complex themes from various angles. We guarantee you an episode that isn't just thought-provoking, but heart-touching.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.

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.

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.

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.