Jonathan oral history interview, 2021 July 21 The interviewee shares his experiences with the abuse and trauma that he faced as a juvenile serving a cumulative 13 year sentence in New York State prison. Now, he is a community organizer who helps in the re-entry process for others who have Read more…
Jack oral history interview, 2021 July 20 Jack shares his experiences working with Prison Visitation and Support. He describes the process he had to go through to be accepted as a visitor by the prison, as well as the differences between state and federal prisons. In addition to PVS, Jack Read more…
Ricardo Cortés oral history interview, 2021 July 20 Ricardo Cortés discusses how his art practice as an illustrator and author has shaped his view of criminal justice reform. He shares insights into his experience with residency at Rikers Island, in Queens, NY, and his subsequent encounters with centers of incarceration. Read more…
Larry oral history interview, 2021 July 20 Larry recalls his volunteer visitor work at the Lompoc Federal Correctional Institute. He talks about his family’s history with the prison system, how he got introduced to the field of volunteer work, the stories he has gathered about the dynamics on the inside Read more…
Jane oral history interview, 2021 July 15 Jane describes her struggles in visiting and sending books to her incarcerated niece, in addition to detailing her niece’s experiences with personal safety, community, and employment as a lifer in a women’s prison in Pennsylvania. She also discusses her friend’s rehabilitation and court Read more…
Valerie oral history interview, 2021 July 13 Valerie speaks about her experience as a visitor to prisons and a family member of incarcerated individuals. She speaks about the punitive nature of the prison system and how she hopes for reform.
Mark oral history interview, 2021 July 13 Mark is a volunteer and local coordinator for Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS) in Lexington, Kentucky. In this interview, Mark discusses his experiences with PVS, as well as how his volunteer work with the organization has affected his views of mass incarceration. From Read more…
Victoria oral history interview, 2021 July 13 Victoria shares how her personal experience with the carceral system shapes her writing and activist work. She describes her publications about resistance and organizing in women’s prisons and how her research connected her to producing a zine written and illustrated by incarcerated women.
Joe oral history interview, 2021 July 11 A formerly incarcerated individual describes how he served many years in federal prison because of a drug-related offense. He missed out on seeing his children grow up and now advocates for reform within the prison system. Transcript
Beth oral history interview, 2021 July 08 Beth spoke about the irony of the title ‘Justice System’ as people under said system are treated anything but justly. She elaborated on the tribulations of her brother’s imprisonment; from the initial shock of the harsh sentencing, to the pains of having a Read more…