Prison Nation Radio w/ Michael B. Jackson  

The first program will focus on the "Counting the Costs of Incarceration" Hearings being convened around the state of NJ by Assembly Majority Speaker Bonnie Watson Coleman.
"Historically, formerly incarcerated people have rarely been included, with any significant degree, in the conversations on what is best for formerly incarcerated people and those effected by crime and incarceration," says Michael B. Jackson, Founder and Host of PNR. Prison Nation Radio performs a public service by giving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, their families and the prison-affected community a forum to address issues important to them. Assemblywoman Watson Coleman and several of her colleagues are going to the people and listening and asking for solutions."
Jackson, who was formerly incarcerated, is encouraging other formerly incarcerated people, family members, friends and the general community to participate by sharing stories, comments and information. Those who cannot attend can call in, email or join the live chat room during the broadcast. The currently incarcerated who wants to participate can do so by sending their comments via U.S. Mail. Letters should be mailed to: PMB 104, Bubblewrap, 621 Beverly-Rancocas Rd, Willingboro, NJ 08046.
 The program call in phone number is 1-347-215-8904.
PNR's weekly (Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30 PM/ET), talk formatted broadcast includes interactive discussion, guest interviews, listener call-in, news/information updates and art  entertainment with special attention to issues important to the Prison Nation community.

New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman will host a series of public hearings aimed at the pervasive cycle of arrest, incarceration release and re-incarceration and its impact on our economy, our families and our communities. This program will focus on the first hearing scheduled to be held at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, 771 Somerset Street, Somerset at 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

An Open Letter to Our Friends on the Question of Language

 

Dear Friends:

 

The Center for NuLeadership onUrban Solutions is an activist academic center, public policy think tank andcommunity organizer at Medgar Evers College in the City University of New York.The Center was founded and is directed and staffed by people who were formerlyincarcerated.  It is the first and only one of its kind in the UnitedStates.

 

One of our first initiatives isto respond to the negative public perception about our population as expressedin the language and concepts used to describe us.  When we are not calledmad dogs, animals, predators, offenders and other derogatory terms, we arereferred to as inmates, convicts, prisoners and felons.  All terms devoidof humanness which identify us as “things” rather than as people.  Theseterms are accepted as the “official” language of the media, law enforcement,the prison industrial complex and public policy agencies.  However, they are no longer acceptable for us and we are askingpeople to stop using them.

 

In an effort to assist ourtransition from prison to our communities as responsible citizens and to createa more positive human image of ourselves, we are asking everyone to stop usingthese negative terms and to simply refer to us as PEOPLE.  People currently or formerly incarcerated, PEOPLE on parole, PEOPLErecently released from prison, PEOPLEin prison, PEOPLE with criminalconvictions, but PEOPLE.

 

Wehabitually underestimate the power of language. The bible says, “Deathand life are in the power of the tongue.” In fact, all of the faith traditions recognize the powerof words and, in particular, names that we are given or give ourselves. Ancienttraditions considered the “naming ceremony” one of the most important rites ofpassage. Your name indicated not only who you were and where you belonged, butalso who you could be.  The worst part of repeatedly hearing your negativedefinition of me, is that I begin to believe it myself “for as a manthinketh in his heart, so is he.”  Itfollows then, that calling me inmate, convict, prisoner, felon, or offenderindicates a lack of understanding of who I am, but more importantlywhat I can be.   I canbe and am much more than an “ex-con,” or an “ex-offender,” or an “ex-felon.”

 

The Center for NuLeadership onUrban Solutions believes that if we can get progressive publications,organizations and individuals like you to stop from using the old offensivelanguage and simply refer to us as “people,” we will have achieved a significant step forward in ourlife giving struggle to be recognized as the human beings we are.  We havemade our mistakes, yes, but we have also paid or are paying our debts tosociety. 

 

We believe we have the right to becalled by a name we choose, rather than one someone else decides to use. We think that by insisting on being called “people” we reaffirm our right to be recognized as human beings,not animals, inmates, prisoners or offenders. 

 

We also firmly believe that ifwe cannot persuade you to refer to us, and think of us, as people, then all ourother efforts at reform and change are seriously compromised.

 

Accordingly, please talk with yourfriends and colleagues about this initiative.  If you agree with ourapproach encourage others to join us.  Use positive language in yourwriting, speeches, publications, web sites and literature. 

 

When you hear people using thenegative language, gently and respectfully correct them and explain why suchlanguage is hurting us.  Kindly circulate this letter on your various listserves. 

 

If you disagree with thisinitiative, please write and tell us why at the above address or e-mail us atNuLPG@mec.cuny.edu.  Perhaps, we have overlooked something.

 

Please join us in making thiscampaign successful.  With your help we can change public opinion, oneperson at a time.  Thank you so much.

 

In Solidarity and Love,

 

Eddie Ellis

Executive Director

NewJersey Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman will host a series ofpublic hearings entitled COUNTING THE COST: Examining the cycle of arrest,incarceration, reintegration & re-entry”, which are aimed at the pervasivecycle of arrest, incarceration release and re-incarceration in New Jersey andits impact on our economy, our families and our communities. "A topcomponent in my mind is the role of family, Watson Coleman said. No bettersupport group exists than family, and we should do everything in our power aslegislators and policymakers to ensure that family plays a central role in thelife of each individual".

OnThursday, November 20, 2008 at 6:30 PM (EST) the PNR broadcast will focus onthe first hearing scheduled to be held at First Baptist Church of LincolnGardens, 771 Somerset Street, Somerset at 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 PM (est.), whichwill discuss Families and Incarceration. About 18,000 inmates are released fromprison each year in New Jersey -- often into communities with limited jobs,housing and social services. "Once a prisoner has served their time andpaid their debt, we cannot shove them aside forever“, she said. "Manyindividuals who returned to a life of crime did so because they felt they hadno other choice. They would gladly take the opportunity to better their lives,but our system too often makes that impossible."

MichaelB. Jackson, Founder, Executive Producer and Host of Prison Nation Radio is amember of the working group assembled by the Majority Leader’s office to planthe hearings. Jackson will also be a speaker and panelist on some hearings.

PNR’sweekly talk formatted broadcast includes guest interviews, listener call-in,news/information updates and art & entertainment with special attention toissues important to the Prison Nation audience. Jackson is also the Publisherand Author of three books; "How to Do Good After Prison: A Handbook forSuccessful Reentry," "How to Love & Inspire Your Man AfterPrison," and "Como Cumplir Con Tus Obligaciones Al Salir De LaPrision: Guia practica para una vida mejor. "PNR can be accessed on the Internetat www.JOINTFX.com. The mailing address isPMB 104, Postnet, 621 Beverly-Rancocas Rd, Willingboro, NJ 08046. The programcall in phone number is 1-347-215-8904.

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For more information Contact: Michael B. Jackson @ mbj@jointfx.com or call 609-877-8071

Stacey Kindt, Founder and President of Redeem-Her will be the guest on Prison Nation Radio, hosted by Michael B. Jackson. The discussion will be on the unique and complicated issues facing incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women. Redeem-Her, a 501(C)3 nonprofit, is an inmate and ex-offender directed, self-help, service organization that has its roots inside the confines of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton, New Jersey. Ms. Kindt and other incarcerated women who sought to change the culture of the institution to one of cooperation, community and service started it in 2004. http://www.redeem-her.org

OnTuesday, September 16, 2008 at 6:30PM - Stacey Kindt, Founder and President ofRedeem-Her will be the guest on Prison Nation Radio, hosted by Michael B.Jackson. The discussion will be on the unique and complicated issues facingincarcerated and formerly incarcerated women.  Redeem-Her, a 501(C)3 nonprofit, is an inmate and ex-offenderdirected, self-help, service organization that has its roots inside theconfines of the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton, NewJersey. Ms. Kindt and other incarcerated women who sought to change the cultureof the institution to one of cooperation, community and service started it in2004. http://www.redeem-her.org  “As wewere released back to society, we found that our needs only increased, andremained, by and large, unmet. To this end, Redeem-Her exists to bridge the gapbetween incarcerated women and their community.  We strive to prepare theincarcerated woman for reconciliation with God, herself, her family and hercommunity. When women come home healthy — spiritually, emotionally, physically,and economically — we all benefit.”