Prison to Promise

Devin Smith: Letters from America’s 3rd World Ep. 66

Devin D. Smith is the founder and CEO of Ship and Anchor LLC, a social impact enterprise. As an entrepreneur and strategist passionate about inclusion and working with other entrepreneurs and leaders to bring innovative ideas to life, Devin is committed to employing his gifts and experiences to serve and build capacity in others. Devin has recently begun incorporating his creative and artistic nature into his work with his Letters from America’s 3rd World project, consisting of a podcast and documentary short.Join us as Deven shares a treasure trove of invaluable insights, delving into the lessons he gleaned during his detour from college to prison and unveiling the journey of his remarkable resilience and triumphant comeback.

From Incarceration to Empowerment: Daquan Peters’ Journey of Redemption pt2 Ep. 65

If you haven't had the chance to listen to Part 1 of my conversation with Daquan, I highly encourage you to return to the previous episode, 'From Incarceration to Empowerment: Daquan Peters' Journey of Redemption pt1.'In this episode, we'll pick up where we left off, exploring the turning points, triumphs, and wisdom Daquan gained through his experiences.

From Incarceration to Empowerment: Daquan Peters’ Journey of Redemption pt1 Ep. 64

Daquan Peters is the visionary Founder of LEX V-(Lived Experience Voices), a dynamic consulting company that collaborates with non-profits, stakeholders, and decision-makers to address the detrimental effects of the criminal legal system and advocate for social justice.At 32, Daquan Peters faced a daunting reality: a 262-month (22-year) prison sentence for possession of crack cocaine. This sentence felt like a life term for him, marking his fourth time behind bars. Daquan had been in and out of prison since the tender age of 17. During this pivotal moment, he firmly decided: "This has to be the last straw."During his time in prison, Daquan immersed himself in learning the intricacies of the law and closely followed legislative bills and their origins. He realized that his path to rehabilitation lay within his own hands; no one could help him more than he could help himself. Empowered by his newfound knowledge of the law and a deep understanding of his identity, Daquan successfully advocated for a time reduction. As a result of his determination and legal understanding, he was released from prison in September 2019.Daquan's journey is a testament to the transformative power of self-belief, education, and resilience. His personal experience fuels his passion for addressing the flaws in the criminal legal system and advocating for social justice, making him a dedicated and inspiring advocate in the pursuit of positive change.

From Incarceration to Empowerment: Emunah ”Mona” Evans’ Journey Towards Family Reunification Ep. 63

In this powerful episode of Prison to Promise, we sit down with Emunah "Mona" Evans, a remarkable individual who has survived the harrowing experience of mass incarceration and dedicated her life to helping others affected by the criminal legal system. Monah, a loving mother of three, now serves as a Family Reunification Advocate at Benevolence Farm and is the Founder of the Bonding Families Support Group in Alamance County.Monah's journey is one of resilience and determination. Having faced the challenges of incarceration firsthand, she understands its profound impact on individuals and their families. Her story is an inspiring testament to the human spirit's capacity for transformation and empowerment.Throughout this episode, Monah shares her experiences, difficulties during her time behind bars, and the emotional toll it took on her family. She also opens up about her path to recovery and how she emerged from the darkness of incarceration with a renewed sense of purpose.As a Family Reunification Advocate at Benevolence Farm, Monah works tirelessly to reunite families torn apart by the criminal legal system. She provides support, guidance, and resources to individuals navigating the complex web of reentry and rehabilitation. Monah's dedication to her work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating positive change in her community.Please tune in to hear Monah's story, her insights into the challenges faced by those impacted by the criminal legal system, and the hope she brings to countless families seeking to rebuild their lives. Join us as we explore the transformative power of resilience and the importance of advocating for a more just and compassionate society.Monah's journey from incarceration to empowerment is a shining example of the strength of the human spirit and the potential for positive change, even in the face of adversity. Don't miss this inspiring episode.

AND STILL I STRIVE (Holly Coomber Pt.2) Ep. 62

In this two-part podcast episode, Holly Coomber shares her life experiences growing up in the foster care system and the events leading up to the murder of two convenience store workers when she was a teenager. Holly's teen years can only be described as horrible. She was put up for adoption as a child. She endured many beatings and broken bones until she was put in a Wayne County foster home of William Allen. Allen sexually abused Coomber, took her as his lover, and then took her to Missouri at age 16. Holly eventually had Allen's child, which she gave up for adoption. Holly served more than 30 years related to the two murders; She didn't commit them but was on hand when they happened. Her abusive foster father did the killings, one during a robbery of a store in Georgia and then during a robbery of a store in Seneca Falls, NY. William Allen was convicted of both slayings and is currently serving a life sentence in Georgia.Holly was released from prison in March 2018after a long journey to justice.

AND STILL I STRIVE (Holly Coomber Pt.1) Ep. 61

In this two-part podcast episode, Holly Coomber shares her life experiences growing up in the foster care system and the events leading up to the murder of two convenience store workers when she was a teenager. Holly's teen years can only be described as horrible. She was put up for adoption as a child. She endured many beatings and broken bones until she was put in a Wayne County foster home of William Allen. Allen sexually abused Coomber, took her as his lover, and then took her to Missouri at age 16. Holly eventually had Allen's child, which she gave up for adoption. Holly served more than 30 years related to the two murders; She didn't commit them but was on hand when they happened. Her abusive foster father did the killings, one during a robbery of a store in Georgia and then during a robbery of a store in Seneca Falls, NY. William Allen was convicted of both slayings and is currently serving a life sentence in Georgia.Holly was released from prison in March 2018after a long journey to justice.

Damien Gabriel. Echoes of Innocence: Unveiling Truth Behind Bars Ep. 60

Damien finds himself confined to a life sentence within the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, all due to a murder he is adamant he did not commit. In a recent conversation lasting fifteen minutes, he and I managed to connect over the phone. During our brief dialogue, Damien recounted the story of his wrongful conviction, expressing his yearning for the eventual revelation of the accurate details surrounding his case. He remains hopeful that these truths will emerge, ultimately paving the way for his liberation from the confines of prison walls and gates.

Steven Mangual Ep. 59

Steven Mangual is a long-time Advocate and Activist in the fields of health, social, and criminal justice, both from behind the walls and in his community. He started his career in 1997 as a Facilitator, Peer Educator, and Organizer within the New York State Department of Corrections while serving a 14-year sentence, joining the leadership of such prison organizations as Latino Organizations and the Lifers and Long-termers Organizations. Upon his release in 2006, Steven worked as an HIV Case Manager, Hepatitis C Educator, collaborating with the NYS Department of Health. Steven returned to DOCCS, providing training to peer educators, HIV rapid testing, and transitional reentry planning. Steven volunteered for thirteen years as the Latino Affairs Producer/Co-host for “On The Count: The Prison and Criminal Justice Report,” a 60-minute talk, news, and interview program featuring criminal and social justice subjects on radio station WBAI, 99.5 FM. For three years, Steven worked with Common Justice, a community-based alternative to incarceration program for youth in his native The Bronx, NY, where he served as Assistant Director of Intervention, responsible for all court-mandated participants and facilitating restorative justice circles. As the Southeast Regional Justice Advocate Coordinator, Steven works under the direct supervision of the Regional Director of Policy and Advocacy, helping formulate and execute advocacy initiatives and community engagement in criminal legal, policing, and policy initiatives at local, state, and regional levels.

George in 4-D Ep. 58

George O'Briant originally hails from Roxboro (Person County), NC; at 14, his family relocated to Durham, NC. Following a significant injury from a car accident, he fell in with an unsavory crowd, leading to involvement in substance abuse, alcohol, and minor criminal activities. As a result, George decided to leave school--as a result, he got placed in foster care. With the support and guidance of his foster parents, he enrolled in Job Corps, successfully achieving a GED and obtaining a food service certification.Upon his return from Job Corps, George found himself deeper entrenched in the drug and street culture of Bull City (Durham, NC). This path led him through three prison terms totaling 8.5 years. However, his final period of incarceration in 2004 marked a turning point in his life. During an experience in solitary confinement in April 2005, George underwent a profound spiritual awakening—an encounter with Jesus Christ that ultimately transformed his life.During his participation in drug treatment while in prison, George began to envision a new purpose for himself as a drug counselor. Upon his release, he actively pursued a college education in drug counseling. For the past 12.5 years, George has dedicated himself to the helping profession, with the most recent five years as a North Carolina board-certified alcohol and drug counselor. Additionally, he has found happiness in his marriage to the love of his life. George highlights that while sobriety can lead to external improvement, the true essence of holistic recovery lies in internal transformation.

Brent Bailey: Embracing Redirection in the Journey of Reentry Ep. 57

In the realm of reentry, there exists a warrior named Brent Bailey. Buncombe County is privileged to have him as the Local Reentry Council Coordinator. I was fortunate to have an opportunity to converse with Brent as he graciously shared his voyage through the North Carolina prison system and his unwavering commitment to avoid returning to incarceration. Prepare to gain remarkable insights from Brent's unique perspective on reentry as he illuminates the essential elements required for incarcerated individuals to reintegrate into the community following their release successfully. Brace yourself for a transformative exploration of reentry with Brent Bailey, where rejection is simply a redirection toward a brighter future.