16 episodes
Voices Inside and Out John Howard Society of Canada, Catherine Latimer, Lawrence Da Silva
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- Society & Culture
Walking through prison gates for the first time is a terrifying experience, regardless of the length of sentence. Walking back out again as a free individual can be just as terrifying, and traumatic. Voices Inside and Out talks with people who’ve actually walked through those gates, both those who’ve walked out again and with those who are still waiting for that day. We look at their personal stories, the strategies they used to get to where they are, their successes, and their failures. By looking at the common and unique themes from these individual stories we can create stronger support systems for prisoners, their families, and their communities once they reenter them. The language and views shared are those of the speakers and may not reflect the position of the JHSC.
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Joseph Lauren Part 2: Post-custody Employment Challenges and Solutions
After a high-profile conviction for insider trading, finding employment after custody was a challenge for Joseph Lauren. He was handicapped both by a criminal record and a significant presence on google searches. This led to a change of name, starting his own consulting company, and "Collared" a documentary about his crime. Joseph shares with us his journey to earn a living, experiences in prison, and advice for others on how to make it after prison.
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Joseph Lauren: Post-custody Housing Challenges and Solutions
Joseph Lauren was rare among federal prisoners having been convicted of a white collar crime. Little did he know the challenges he would face in the prison system and afterwards trying to secure housing and find employment with a criminal record. In this episode, he tells us about the unforeseen consequences of his crime for others, his experiences with the correctional system, his challenges finding housing after custody and his current involvement with Restorative Justice Housing Ontario.
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Commentary: COVID-19 and Unrest at Donnacona
Renford Farrier, a prisoner at Donnacona Maximum Security Institution in Quebec, describes how gas and rubber bullets were used to quell a protest by prisoners on April 20, 2020. He explains how the usual protocols of discussion and de-escalation were not followed before force was used on men who were posing no risk to the correctional officers. He questions why he was shot in the leg when he was complying with instructions and leaving his cell with his hands in the air telling them not to shoot. Discussed are the rising tensions behind bars due to the extended periods in cells, limited access to families, activities, programs and routine.
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Garry Glowacki: Part 2: Welcoming Prisoners Back - Community Support
In this episode, Garry talks more about his early funding from the Anglican Church, communities welcoming prisoners as a support to successful reintegration, and restorative justice. He stresses the importance of inreach into prisons and discharge planning. Many shout outs to those organizations (churches, CSC, provincial corrections and prison that gave Garry an office inside the prison), companies (Moores, Boston Pizza), and individuals (MP Bragdon for PMB seeking a federal framework for reintegration and Dr. Ujjainwalla) and all of those who help former prisoners return to communities.