Because of another journalistic opportunity, I will no longer be contributing to the Family Life Behind Bars website.  However, as I bid farewell, I’ve gained experiences that will I’ll carry with me into my next endeavor.

Besides assisting Sandeep with maintaining the website, the experience that stands out the most is my position as the web radio host.  In this role, I was able to interview those that have been directly affected by incarceration: from a father sentenced to 15 years under the Rockefeller Drug Laws, to a grandmother who was paying hundreds of dollars in collect call fees.  As someone who has also had both family members and friends behind bars, their stories not only resonated with the listeners who tuned in, but with me personally.

I wish the website much success in it’s mission and continued commitment to bringing these stories to the forefront.

Related Posts:

Listen Now: Losing your paycheck to collect call fees?

Listen Now: Documentary filmmaker- Children of incarcerated parents speak

Listen Now: Financial advice for families and the formerly incarcerated

Last night, I hosted a dynamic show about the high cost of collect calls from prison and the burden they impose on families.  Sherry Murray and Edna Ford not only talked about the affect that the high cost has had on them personally, but the affect it’s had on their pockets.  Kiana Booker, Ford’s granddaughter, also joined us to talk openly and candidly about the complicated task of sustaining a relationship with the father who murdered her mother.

You can also see how much money people spent receiving these collect calls and what they sacrificed in the results of our survey here.

Edna Ford is a grandmother of six who says she’s struggled to pay the high cost of collect phone calls ever since her son was incarcerated 13 years ago.  After racking up bills as high as $200 a month, Ford says the calls have gotten less frequent over the years.

On Wed. Jan 27 at 9 p.m. EST, I’ll be hosting Family Life Behind Bars radio, talking to Ford about the burden of collect calls and the complicated task of sustaining a relationship between her granddaughters and their father.  Ford will also talk about the difficulty of coming to terms with her son’s conviction for killing the mother of her granddaughters and the ripple effect it had on their entire family.

I’ll also be joined by Sherry Murray, president of the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism, which aims to help ex-offenders become productive members of the community.  As the mother of a son who was formerly incarcerated, Murray has also been directly affected by the high cost of collect phone calls from correctional facilities.

Listen live by calling (347) 326-9981 at showtime or listen in online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familylifebehindbars.  You can also ask questions or speak your mind during the show by dialing (347) 326-9981 and pressing 1.

If you’ve been affected by the high costs of collect calls, take this survey.  Also, tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Interested in hearing how to tackle the job market fresh out of prison?  Check out the show to hear tips and advice on finding work after incarceration from David Koch, who was released from prison in 1980 and went on to become a pilot and CEO of his own internet company.  Hear also from Aric Coleman, who was just released from prison last month, about his experience finding a job and his advice for others in the same position.

[UPDATE: article today: Out of prison, out of a job, out of luck--check out the comment section, some people have no belief in rehabilitation.]

If you’re not sure which box to check when asked “have you ever been convicted of a felony?” be sure to tune in on Wed. Nov. 11 at 9 p.m. EST.

Makeba and I will be talking to David Koch who will offer advice to recently released or formerly incarcerated people on ways to find jobs.

Following his release in 1980 after serving two years in state and federal prison, Koch took a job cleaning planes and mowing the lawn.  Little did he know that the man who gave him the job was the president and CEO of a airline company.  After working his way up from cleaner to pilot, Koch went on to have a successful career.

Koch will talk about his experience navigating the job search and offer advice ranging from how to deal with the job application to handling the societal stigmas of incarceration.

We’ll also be talking to Aric Coleman and his wife Laianda.  Aric, a Detroit native who was just released in October after serving nine years in prison, will talk about his experience trying to find employment and some of the struggles he’s had in securing a position.  Laianda, Aric’s wife of almost 13 years, will discuss the effect that his job search had on her and why she has continued to support him.

Listen live by calling (347) 326-9981 at showtime or listen live online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familylifebehindbars.

If you have a question about finding employment following a felony conviction that you would like to be addressed during the show, please leave a comment below and we’ll be sure to ask it during the show.

Wednesday night’s show featured Marika Turano, the documentary filmmaker of The Word Is Love, and Ms. Lorraine Watson Sr. who became the caretaker of her nine grandchildren after their mother was incarcerated.  Unfortunately we weren’t able to get Kareem “Chuckie” Watson, one of the children featured in the film on the show due to technical difficulties, but we hope to feature him in an upcoming program.

Listen to the show to hear Turano talk about the film, what she learned while making it and the advice she has for children of incarcerated parents.  Hear Ms. Lorraine Sr. talk about the sacrifices she had to make to raise her grandchildren, the pain they endured as a result of their mothers incarceration and thoughts about her grandson currently awaiting trail at Rikers Island for 1st degree murder.

It’s been a few months since the last show but the web radio show is back.  On Wednesday, October 7 at 9 p.m. EST, Makeba and I will be talking to Marika Turano, the documentary filmmaker of The Word Is Love.  Capturing the voices of children affected by arrest and incarceration, The Word Is Love looks at the impact of incarceration, but from a child’s point of view.

During the show, Turano will talk about the film and how the children featured in the film handled the impact of their parent(s) incarceration, including life with their caretakers, handling the stigma of incarceration, their feelings about their incarcerated parent and life after their parents are released.

One of the children featured in the film, Kasem“Chuckie” Watson, will also join us during the show.  Watson, whose mother was incarcerated for four years, will talk about the impact that his mother’s incarceration had on his life, and how he forged a relationship with her following her release.

Ms. Lorraine Watson Sr., the grandmother featured in the film who became the caretaker of her grandchildren while their mother was imprisoned, will also join the show.  Watson Sr. will discuss the impact that incarceration had on her life and the sacrifices she had to make.

Check out the link for a clip of the film below from the film and be sure to listen live during the show.  You can listen online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familylifebehindbars or by calling (347) 326-9981.  You can also ask questions or speak your mind during the show by dialing (347) 326-9981 and pressing 1, or by leaving a comment on the site.

After a short hiatus, the web radio show is back and is starting at a new time.  Makeba and I will be hosting the next show on Wednesday, June 24 at 9 p.m.  We’ll be talking to Dr. Harland Kessaris, a psychologist who specializes in reintegration into family life following a prison term.  You may remember Dr. Kessaris from an interview he did with Tiffany Garlic last year around the holidays.  We decided to bring him back to talk about what families can do to cope with the loss of a loved one to the prison system and how the family on the outside can reconnect with a loved one behind bars.  He will also talk about both family and social dynamics and what formerly incarcerated individuals can do to reintegrate into family life.

Listen live online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familylifebehindbars or by calling (347) 326-9981.  We definitely want this to be an audience driven discussion so we highly encourage you to call in to ask Dr. Kessaris your question.  If you would like advice or have a question during the show, simply dial (347) 326-9981, press 1 on your phone and wait to be patched in.  Keep in mind that the number is a New York number so your phone company may charge long distance fees.  If you would like a question asked during the show, please leave your question in the comment section below and I will be sure to get it answered.

UPDATE: We have added another guest for tomorrow nights show and his name is Darryl King.  King served over 20 years behind bars and was released in 1993.  He’ll be talking about his transition from the cell to society and the struggles he had to overcome.

Monday’s show was truly informative.  Makeba and I spoke with Mark S. La Spisa, financial advisor, President and co-founder of Vermillion Financial Advisors Inc. (VFA).  During the show, Spisa fielded questions from the listeners and offered helpful financial advice.  Listen to what you missed below and take note of the tips La Spisa had to offer.  I’ve also included some helpful financial resources and tips below:

Benefits Check Up: Benefits program for people with limited income and resources.  (It’s not just for seniors)

Financial Planning Association: Offers helpful (and free) financial advice and tips

Public Assistance (New York Only): Information on how to apply for food stamps, health insurance, job training etc.

List of helpful organizations for formerly incarcerated people.

Also, just some general tips for our readers from Polly Maschinski, Case manager for Private Case Manangement:

* Start looking for benefits from the Federal Gov. and work down to local (City, Village and Township)
* Don’t over look private industry such as churches and hospitals
* Be prepared to wait – applications take time – no only to complete to get the answers
* Be PREPARED have all your documents with you — PROOF is what you will need to provide
* Call or write to your elected officials — you put them in office — they work for you
* Last APPEAL all denials — the denial you receive may only be the first step to the benefits you may eventually receive

[The first 24 seconds of the show is cut off due to technical difficulties.  Please be patient for 24 seconds or fast forward using your mouse.]

On Monday, June 1 at 9 p.m., Makeba and I will be hosting a very special show.  We will be speaking to Mark S. La Spisa, financial advisor, President and co-founder of Vermillion Financial Advisors Inc. (VFA).  We’ll be asking La Spisa to share his financial expertise and answer the questions that matter to you most, including:

• * Financial advice for families with at least one incarcerated family member
• * Money saving tips for families with at least one incarcerated family member
• * Financial planning for families with an incarcerated family member
• * Financial tips for recently released individuals
• * Money saving tips for recently released individuals

Though La Spisa normally advises clients with wealth in excess of $1 million, he has personal experience with advising his own family.  After La Spisa’s cousin was locked up and sentenced to 10 years in prison for cocaine possession, his mother (La Spisa’s aunt) was left with no income.  Forced to deal with the reality of starting over financial, La Spisa gave her financial advice and assisted her with finding public assistance and community programs aimed at assiting low-income families.

We anticipate this show being highly informative so we strongly encourage you listen live online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familylifebehindbars or by calling (347) 326-9981.

If you have a question about finances or would like financial advice, simply dial (347) 326-9981, press 1 on your phone, and wait to be patched in.  Keep in mind that the number is a New York number so your phone company may charge long distance fees.

If you already have a financial related question that you would like answered, please leave it in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to address it during the show.  If you have comments, suggestions, or topics for future shows, please leave those in the comments section below too.