In this gripping episode, we bring you the story of a man who has spent over 20 years behind bars in Virginia for a crime he doesn’t remember committing. His journey through the criminal justice system highlights a troubling issue many face: the coercion of plea deals. With limited resources and an overworked public defender, he was pressured into …

n this podcast episode, we spoke with Eric Seiferth about "The Captive State Collection" at the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC). The discussion delves into Louisiana's historical trajectory as the world's incarceration capital, tracing this dark legacy through three centuries of systemic oppression. The exhibit "Captive State" investigates t…

Innocence Interrupted follows the harrowing journey of Jovon Wash, a promising college student on a scholarship who finds his life turned upside down when he is wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit. Through in-depth interviews, personal reflections, and expert analysis, this podcast delves into the systemic failures that lead to wrongful…

Welcome to another episode of the Blacklight Mass Incarceration Show with your host, Ciara Cobb. In this episode, we delve into the life of Aaron Edward Olston, a multimedia journalist and host of the Abolition Christian podcast, who has been incarcerated since the age of 19 and is serving a life sentence in Washington state. Aaron shares his profo…

Welcome to an incredibly eye-opening episode of the Blacklight Mass Incarceration Show, where host Ciara Cobb opens up a candid conversation with a wrongfully convicted individual who shares his heartfelt journey within the justice system. From police stations to court proceedings and the dreaded jail experience, this episode reveals systemic failu…

In this episode, Michael, serving a life plus 130-year sentence in a Virginia prison, shares his decades-long quest for legal assistance to prove his innocence. Having spent over 30 years behind bars, he recounts the harrowing ordeal of being coerced into pleading guilty to crimes he vehemently denies committing. Compounding his struggle is the dau…

Transforming Prisons: The Prison Monastery Experience In this episode of "Transforming Prisons," we delve into the groundbreaking concept of The Prison Monastery, where the penitentiary is reimagined as a place for contemplation, self-discovery, and contribution. Hosted by Cierra , we explore how this innovative approach aims to turn shame into mea…

In this episode, we delve into the story of Rhonda, a woman currently incarcerated in Georgia, serving a lengthy sentence under old laws. Rhonda's journey is marked by a tragic night where her life changed forever due to domestic violence. Over the past three decades, she has undergone tremendous self-reflection and rehabilitation, striving to rebu…

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Bobby Bostic, a man who experienced the harsh realities of the American justice system at a young age but emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience. Bobby's story is one of transformation, redemption, and unwavering determination. As a juvenile, Bobby found himself caught in the web of the le…

In this show note, we will discuss Tim's quest to find the perfect truck for his trajectory scanning needs. Tim, a field researcher, is embarking on a crucial project that requires a vehicle that can support his scanning requirements. Join us as we delve into the details of Tim's search and how he intends to leverage the power of trajectory scannin…

Join host Ciara Cobb in this enlightening episode of the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show. In this heartfelt episode, Ciara reflects on the difficulty faced after losing the show's sponsor and shares her own personal experience with domestic violence as she discusses the crucial social and criminal justice issues tied to it. The discussion under…

This week on the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show, host Cierra has an extensive interview with Altimont Mark Wilks, a candidate for the congressional seat of Maryland's 6th district. Wilks shares his transformative journey from serving two decades of incarceration to becoming an advocate for change in his community. The conversation ranges from …

Host Cierra Cobb of the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show welcomes special guest, DeAnthony, an incarcerated individual from Virginia to discuss restorative justice and its impact and implications. DeAnthony shares his personal experience with crime, incarceration, his path to redemption through education, and the importance of restorative justic…

In this episode of the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show, host Ciara Cobb discusses the real-life story of Danny, a 31-year-old man from Asheville, North Carolina, incarcerated for three attempted murders. Danny shares his journey from being in a love triangle, his struggle with alcohol addiction, and how it led him to a series of poor decisions,…

In our latest podcast episode, we welcome back Tim Wright, a returning guest who shares his insights on Tedtalk in Prison and the importance of giving wrongfully convicted individuals a "first chance." Tim sheds light on the challenges faced by the wrongfully convicted and how they often do not receive a fair opportunity to prove their innocence. T…

In this week's podcast episode, we speak with Tyson, an individual currently incarcerated in Virginia for a marijuana-related offense. While marijuana is currently legal in Virginia, Tyson's case highlights the complexities and disparities within the justice system when it comes to marijuana possession. Tyson's story sheds light on the ongoing deba…

In this episode of the podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with DeAndre, who shares his incredible story of transformation and redemption. DeAndre's journey begins in the aftermath of a shocking incident where he tragically eliminated his girlfriend in a moment of explosive anger. In an in-depth conversation, DeAndre opens up about the event…

In this podcast episode, we interview Rodney Wrice, a formerly incarcerated entrepreneur, who is on a mission to change communities for the better through his work with helping individuals avoid incarceration. Rodney shares his inspiring journey from incarceration to entrepreneurship, shedding light on his personal experiences and the motivations b…

In this video, I'm talking with Victoria Rusk, a mitigation specialist who specializes in criminal justice reform. We'll discuss the ways that mitigating factors can play a role in criminal sentencing and discuss strategies for mitigating the consequences of a criminal conviction. If you're interested in learning more about criminal justice reform,…

In this powerful episode of our podcast, we delve into the depths of the prison system and shed light on a seldom-discussed aspect: maintaining a marriage through incarceration. Join us as we share our personal journey, challenges, and triumphs as a married couple navigating the hardships of one partner being behind bars. We kick off the episode wi…

This week’s guest Treeva, shares her experiences dealing with the criminal justice system. She spent 125 months incarcerated for defending herself and revealed the inhumane conditions and power abuse within the prison walls. Despite the hardship, Treeva emphasized the importance of persistence, self-motivation, goal-setting, and establishing a heal…

In a recent episode of the podcast, my co-host Jeffrey Cobb delved into the topic of prison staff accountability, specifically focusing on the truth behind GTL tablet packages and mail change. Throughout the episode, Jeffrey shed light on the various issues surrounding this subject, providing listeners with valuable insights. Firstly, Jeffrey discu…

Let's shift the narrative in real terms. Prisons are not environments of 'us vs them', but places where humanity, compassion, and empathy should thrive. Help us push for this reform! We need more active engagement from the community in demanding oversight boards in US prisons for staff accountability, taking the example of Norway's prison system. S…

In this powerful episode, we follow Douglas' story from his time as an innocent grieving husband to his years behind bars, as well as his fight for freedom after being wrongly convicted of murder. Douglas' story is a compelling and heartbreaking one, and his fight for justice is an inspiring one. Watch this documentary to learn about Douglas' tragi…

In this podcast episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Antwan, a remarkable individual who shared his personal experience of being wrongfully convicted in Massachusetts. Antwan's story sheds light on the flaws within the justice system and the incredible resilience and strength he displayed in overcoming the injustices imposed upon him. Ant…

In this episode of Black Light, Tim Wright returns to shed light on the detrimental impact of the media on the incarcerated population, especially those who have been wrongfully convicted. This summary will provide an overview of the key points discussed in the show. Tim Wright begins by highlighting the power of the media and its ability to shape …

In this episode of the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show, you will delve into the world of the carceral system through multiple interviews and diverse perspectives. Throughout the episode, Jeffrey, our host, will not only provide updates but also facilitate the interviews to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The episode begins wi…

In this episode, we delve into the topic of the Norway prison mental health system and also hear Turron share his personal experience with the abuse of power at Warren Correctional. This thought-provoking episode sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals within the prison system and the importance of mental health support. The Norway priso…

This week on The Black Light Mass Incarceration Show, we embark on a profound exploration of the prison system's complexities with our distinguished guest, Vincent Schiraldi. With a background deeply rooted in the criminal justice system, Vincent offers a unique perspective that sheds light on the issues profoundly impacting our communities. Throug…

In this episode, we dive into the world of criminal justice with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author, Maurice Possley. With his extensive experience in writing about, investigating, and consulting on issues related to criminal justice both in the United States and abroad, Possley sheds light on the crucial topic …

In this episode we take a look into the life of Danielle, The wife of Tim Wright. Tim is currently wrongfully convicted and fighting for his life as we speak! Danielle and I have a heart to heart talk about the challenges and experiences that wives who stand by their wrongfully convicted husbands go through. In this episode we discover the strength…

In this episode, we delve into the tragic case of Tim Wright, a man who was wrongfully convicted in Virginia and sentenced to 65 years for a crime he did not commit. This disturbing miscarriage of justice highlights the depths of corruption and the lengths some individuals will go to cover up their wrongdoing. Tim's journey began when he was accuse…

About Black Light: The Black Light Mass Incarceration Show is a space that is used to uplift the unheard voices of the criminal and social justices issues that many face today. BLMIS is a weekly podcast that interviews those forgotten in our prison systems. We are here to give the forgotten or ignored a platform for them to share their stories. Inf…

In this episode, we will explore the issue of abuse of power within North Carolina prisons, specifically focusing on the actions of wardens who utilize the A-99 disciplinary system to silence those who speak out about prison conditions or complain about them to their families. This abuse of power raises serious concerns about the treatment of incar…

This week on the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show we speak with Walter Dunn and his Journey to Freedom. In the great state of Florida, a man named Walter Dunn found himself trapped in the clutches of a wrongful conviction. Unjustly accused and imprisoned, Walter's life took an unexpected turn. However, his determination to seek justice and his u…

Department of Corrections Uncovering Oppressive Tactics In this episode, we delve into the eye-opening exploration of the Department of Corrections uncovering oppressive tactics within the criminal justice system. This investigative report sheds light on the alarming realities that have long been hidden from public scrutiny. 1. Introduction: - The …

Black Light Mass Incarceration Show In this episode, we will explore the unique and progressive prison culture in Norway. Norway's approach to incarceration stands in stark contrast to traditional punitive systems found in many other countries. With a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration, Norway's prison system aims to create a conducive envir…

This episode follows the story of a man who was wrongfully convicted and spent 42 years in prison. It highlights the injustices and difficulties of the criminal justice system, and the power of resilience and faith to overcome them. We explore the man's experience in the criminal justice system, from his wrongful conviction to his eventual upcoming…

In this episode, we will explore the controversial topic of sex offender registries. While the intention of these registries may seem like a good idea, there are many potential harms that come along with them. Firstly, sex offender registries can perpetuate a culture of fear and hysteria. People on the registry are often subjected to public shaming…

My Special Guest Amber Vlangas serves as Executive Director of the Restorative Action Alliance. As a member of a system-impacted family, Amber Vlangas is a civil rights activist, a survivor of sexual harm, and a speaker and advocate of re-imagining our criminal legal system. In this episode, we explore ways to re-imagine the criminal justice system…

In this episode, we take a deeper look at the issue of North Carolina's disproportionate incarceration of people of color. Statistics show that Black and Hispanic individuals are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to longer prison terms than their white counterparts. We hear from community members and advocates who are working to …

Black Light Mass Incarceration Show In this episode, we'll be discussing the story of Justin Hood, who is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Justin's case has been a controversial one, with many people questioning whether he received a fair trial. We'll be taking a closer look at the evidence presented during Justi…

I interviewed Elizabeth Kipp, an Addiction Recovery Coach, Ancestral Clearing® Practitioner, and Yoga and Meditation Teacher. She specializes in chronic pain, stress management, and trauma-informed yoga. Elizabeth Kipp is a remarkable individual who has dedicated her career to helping others overcome addiction and manage chronic pain, stress, and t…

Black Light Mass Incarceration Show It's truly regrettable that the infamous 'trial penalty' has gained such prevalence in our justice system. It's simply unjust that individuals are coerced into relinquishing their rights in order to avoid receiving an even more severe sentence. The case of Terence serves as a prime example of how the system can b…

Black Light Mass Incarceration Show Tysean has had a tumultuous life, most of which he can trace back to his childhood. Growing up in a difficult environment, Tysean was exposed to some harsher realities of life at a young age. This had a profound effect on his vision of society, leading him to view it as an oppressive and unjust place. As a result…

This week on the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show I spoke with an incredible attorney, Elizabeth Franklin-Best. She is the owner of an appellate law firm in South Carolina where they focus on state and federal appeals, sentencing relief and more. Her passion for helping her clients appeal court decisions truly makes her an invaluable attorney he…

While Turron was a young black teen, he was wrongfully convicted. After graduating from high school, Turron wanted to go to college. However, he was charged with committing a crime he didn't commit. He had to fight for his life. His journey is shared here. PLEASE VISIT TO LEARN MORE!! EmancipateNC Newsletter sign-up REPORT A POLICE , CO, SHERIFF OF…

Black Light Mass Incarceration Show In his story, Akiba describes how incarceration in New York is different from incarceration in North Carolina. Additionally, he describes how he wants to create a program for parents that informs them about autism at an early stage. Akiba believes that by creating this program, parents will be able to recognize t…

Black Light Mass Incarceration Show Tim shares in this episode how the loss of his daughter while incarcerated has impacted the way he thinks and acts since he lost her while incarcerated. It is a very different kind of grief losing a family member while you are incarcerated. CALL TO ACTION!! Call or email your Republican legislators let them know …

Black Light Mass Incarceration Show During his discussion in this episode, Chris highlights the effects of imprisonment and trauma on people, as well as how badly mental health treatment is needed. CALL TO ACTION!! Call or email your Republican legislators let them know you want them to support and sponsor HB126 https://trackbill.com/bill/north-car…