How to help convicted felons...
Allow me to introduce myself! Im finally attempting to stop feeling scared, and start to try and create value for anyone who made mistakes in the past which caused them to give up on a happy/successful future.
My life was a revolving door of getting locked up since I was 15 years old! My last time was the worst, not seeing freedom until just 5 tears ago. That whole time, noone said that there was hope for me to have a successful life. They only discussed one topic: "You'll be back."
I somehow kept a small spark of confidence and now have a family and a six-figure income with no help from any programs. I only had a GED and tons of people telling me why I couldn't succeed.
Right now I speak about it on a podcast, "Criminals Guide to Success". But I am starting to execute on more ideas to help anyone see that the system's not able to prevent you from acheiving a real chance, even if your past isn't perfect
My main fear is people thinking I don't deserve my success, or putting all "criminals" in the same category (for example, my podcast is not intended for rapists or pedophile crimes...).
Even with my current growth and achievements, my main goal is to help at-risk kids before they settle with hatred like I did because of the lack of support in today's system.
So if anyone ever wants to ask me anything, or would like to understand the business model I'm creating, please reach out. And if you want to learn more about what I am trying to do, check out my podcast! Thank you!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criminals-podcast-to-success/id1386623324
May be you can try to partner with folks at https://www.70millionjobs.com/?
I'm not familiar with the American criminal justice system, so I can't speak to the specific issues you're trying to address.
But, I'm wondering, have you critically and objectively examined whether the very label "CRIMINAL" furthers or hinders your cause? Do the very people you're trying to help like to identify themselves as such, in a way that will attract them to your message and not repel them away?
Just curious.
"If" the goal was set to please other individuals with similar experiences to mine, then I would be loving your advice! I thank you for the comment, but I must stress that listening to a couple of my episodes could allow you to see my intent more clearly (I try to keep them under 15 minutes on purpose so anyone can take time to reflect and hopefully take action...). I've stated earlier about how the future for this project is undecided. I hope to have the future listeners dictate what content I will put out so I can help some listeners directly. But also the podcast tells a story about "me" and my experiences with no extra BS involved. So while your advice is awesome, you will notice (after listening to a few episodes)how I started this journey without any thought of how many people would want to listen. I wanted to document my journey to realize his far I've come, and helping others is a bonus. Take care!
Welcome and thanks for doing this important work.
I suffered a traumatic brain injury a few years ago and through research on that I learned that it's estimated 15-80% of the prison population have had a brain injury (4% for the rest of the population). So I strongly believe the "revolving door" model doesn't work.
If you want podcast content, I've not gone to prison (thankfully) but I did do drugs in high school, which I regret and am happy to talk about it if it prevents others from making the same mistakes.
Thanks for the comment! I am grateful for you offering your time on my podcast. I think I am still trying to find an audience, but would love to start a list that allows you to describe why you would want to have a discussion with me. Maybe I'll build a quick website to host the episodes and allow people to submit a request. I hope you might listen to a couple episodes to grasp the content I'm delivering before committing to a conversation (my content is very "unique") I do love the idea of having guests from time to time, but I can't stress enough that you should get to know my show (aka me) before considering. Let me know!
So what categories would you split criminals into?
Do you think there is some common core externalities one can watch for to identify a truely EXcon that has got or is going to get to social norms rather than go back to what he knows from before that got him into trouble? (Sorry if wording is not right, take it as a generic)
You could list your podcast and job board as business on your profile.
I do not think it's my intention to categorize anyone ... I mention who my content is NOT meant for so I can avoid potential comments that may think my goal is to help all criminals gain success. Think about the same 3 crimes in the following scenario:
So if you have one individual who robs a store to feed his kid, and another person robs a store "for the thrill", and then another robs the same store, with a gun, and only takes money... Do all these people belong in the same group? But they all end up with the same charge. My point is that I could never pretend to know how a crime would define the person who committed it.
I only wish to help those that made bad choices or want to change their ways. I cannot determine who they might be. But I do know that almost anyone who has been through the prison system (or juvenile system...) feels labeled as "limited opportunity" no matter the crime. While society was only ever told prison "reforms" inmates and claims a person is finished being punished after completing a sentence, there was never any programs or means to get life back on track while incarcerated.
Applying for jobs expects those with a past to check a box if they've ever been in trouble, even as we pretend your punishment is finished after being released. There is no way to explain your circumstance to potential employers to even differentiate one crime from another, leaving potential for qualified hard working people to be tossed aside due to a negative opinion passed around without care.
I like your ad ice to update my business profile. Thank you!
Have you done some market research to understand where others are? Or this is just an out for yourself with the hope it would find at least one person to help?...
I want to add that i never expected so many listeners when I started. I knew I wanted to stop feeling like my success could only continue if I kept my past a secret. I needed a way to express how great it feels when a random memory can generate a small journey leading to my current situation. I also grew up "closed off" and silent, which hurt my social skills dramatically. Since I started, my experience has done nothing but grow.
I continue researching the layout accross the USA, but am currently investing any free time towards where my story began. That effort is completely separate from what this podcast represents (I am currently opening dialogue with the groups involved with juvenile detention facilities to disrupt a cycle created before I was even sentenced as a kid...)
My expectations for the podcast is to have other people contact me with their stories and struggles and form a community to bring awareness to those needing a boost of confidence.
This comment was deleted 6 years ago.