Voices Unlocked

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&...

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...

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...

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 cri...

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 offe...

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.

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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."

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