Professor Brad shares his experience as an advocate, activist, attorney, and researcher within the criminal legal system. He describes the intersections of mass incarceration and public health, explaining the hyperincarceration of Black and Brown communities as an epidemic that can be solved only in conjunction with solving the issues and barriers to equitable healthcare in the United States. Brad also explains his current research on solitary confinement reform, as well as promising outcomes for creating cultures of wellness within prisons in an attempt to alleviate, at least in the short term, the negative community health outcomes exacerbated and caused by the carceral system.

Ronald is a formerly incarcerated person who defended himself in prison, succesfully advocated for his own release, and now works as a nationally recognized activist for prison reform. The interview goes over Simpson-Bey’s experience as an incarcerated person, and as a leader within his prison family. In this, we hear stories of dehumanization, found family, and the barriers to education within the prison system. Simpson-Bey also describes life after prison and his vision for the future of incarceration through the decarceration movement. Simpson-Bey calls for an end to the systemic injustice of mass incarceration as it exists today.

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Sofia shares their experience working as a Housing Advocate and Social Medicine Program Coordinator at the Lifespan Transitions Clinic and Social Medicine Programs in Rhode Island. They explain the Clinic’s role and impact in the Providence and Rhode Island community and center the stories and influence of a number of individuals and Community Healthcare Workers who have shaped the Clinics growth and development since its founding in 2018.

Miguel describes the process he went through to become a prison visitor and how he develops relationships with the individuals he visits. As the only Spanish-speaking person in his group of visitors, he was able to have meaningful conversations with other men in the prison who spoke the language. He also indicates that education is important to these men, but they fell prey to a cycle that marginalized and criminalized them because of limited opportunities.