Prison is often seen as an ending, but for Jonas Royster, the real transformation began after his release – when deep self-introspection led him to take ownership of his life and turn his lived experience into a powerful force for change. Joining Julia Lazareck, the award-winning author, leadership educator, and CEO of Hood Proverbz shares how reshaping his mindset allowed him to guide incarcerated people towards achieving probation success. He discusses how he built
WELCOME TO SEASON 5 of The Hidden Sentence Podcast.
The purpose of this podcast and it's blog is to help educate and empower those who have or had a loved one in prison. Did you know that the chances are very high that someone you know has had a loved one incarcerated? Or maybe you are part of the 50% of the US population* who has or had a loved one in the carceral system? Indirectly we are all affected, and if you have a loved one in prison you are probably doing the time even though you committed no crime. This is the Hidden Sentence. The sentence does not end once your loved one is released either. Depending on the type of release he or she may still need to deal with probation or parole which carries its own set of regulations. So the prison issue continues for an indeterminable about of time. Prison: The Hidden Sentence is about those friends and family members on the outside. We are raising awareness one story at a time.
Sponsorship opportunities available - email contact@PrisonTheHiddenSentence.com.
*https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nearly-half-americans-have-close-family-member-who-has-been-incarcerated-180971645/
Episode Blogs
Incarceration and addiction can tear families apart, but today’s episode is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and second chances. Jacklyn Eva shares her deeply moving journey of navigating her husband’s incarceration and their shared battle with addiction, revealing how they’ve maintained their connection and built a foundation of healing and purpose. This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by addiction or incarceration—or anyone who believes in the strength of the human
The first formerly incarcerated person ever elected to the Nevada Legislature, Assemblymember Jovan Jackson, joins us on Prison the Hidden Sentence. From serving time in prison to serving his community in the State Assembly, Jovan’s journey is one of resilience, redemption, and purpose. He opens up about how his lived experience fuels his fight for criminal justice reform, restoring voting rights, and expanding opportunities for families impacted by incarceration. This inspiring conversation highlights how one
Prison didn’t stop Mark Wilson from becoming a force for good—it’s where his journey into advocacy and restorative justice began. In Part 2, Mark shares how he used his time behind bars to create programs that empowered others to grow, take responsibility, and prepare for life after release. His work didn’t end when the gates opened—today, he’s a paralegal with the Oregon Justice Resource Center, helping people inside and out access justice and support.
Incarceration doesn’t just impact the person behind bars—it affects entire families. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Mark Wilson shares the beginning of his journey through addiction, incarceration, and the ripple effects it had on his loved ones. As he faced the consequences of his actions and the reality of life in prison, Mark began to reflect deeply on the harm he caused and the changes he needed to make. He opens up
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Natasha Blakely, Training and Engagement Specialist at Project Avary, to explore the impact of incarceration on children and families. Natasha shares her personal journey and the purpose that drives her work supporting youth with incarcerated parents. If you’re looking to understand the deeper effects of prison beyond the sentence—and how compassion, mentorship, and community can change lives—this conversation is a must-listen. Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, advocate,
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