Amplified Voices

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1213727/open_sms] Gus Marks-Hamilton shares his powerful journey from teenage arrest through incarceration to becoming an advocate for criminal justice reform with the ACLU's Smart Justice Campaign. • Growing up in a stable middle-class family with teacher parents before first encountering the legal system at age 16 • Finding structure and purpose through employment at Blockbuster Video after his initial arrest • Experiencing the devastating impact of policy changes while incarcerated that arbitrarily extended his sentence • Navigating the challenges of halfway houses and probation during reentry without meaningful support • Pursuing education after release, earning a Master's in Social Work despite barriers for people with felony convictions • Successfully receiving a pardon in 2023 after a lengthy, emotional application process • Channeling lived experience into advocacy work to create systemic change in Connecticut's criminal legal system After navigating the challenges of halfway houses, probation, educational discrimination, and the emotionally grueling pardon process, Gus now works with the ACLU's Smart Justice Campaign. His powerful insight – "I'm the best version of myself when I'm connected to other people" – has become both personal philosophy and professional mission. He's transformed from someone caught in the system to someone working to fundamentally change it. Whether you're personally impacted by the criminal legal system, work within it, or simply want to understand its human toll, Gus's story offers hope. Connect with him on social media to learn how you can join the movement for a more just system that truly enables rehabilitation and community connection. ---- About Gus:  Gus Marks-Hamilton is the campaign manager at the ACLU of Connecticut [https://www.acluct.org/]. He joined the ACLU-CT Smart Justice campaign in 2018 to advocate for fair, just and humane policy reforms to the criminal legal system. Gus’s primary responsibilities include building the ACLU-CT’s advocacy infrastructure, strengthening its partnerships with key stakeholders, prioritizing directly impacted communities and individuals, and executing strategic issue-based campaigns. Gus is passionate about promoting the civic and political engagement of people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system and has lobbied for dozens of pieces of legislation to protect people’s civil rights and liberties.   Gus is a Licensed Master Social Worker and received his master’s degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, where he is also an Adjunct Professor. He is a board member at Community Partners In Action [https://cpa-ct.org/] which provides services for people affected by the criminal legal system, proud uncle to his nieces and nephews and compliant human companion to his dog, Frank  Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/amplifiedvoices]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1213727/open_sms] Discover the story of Joe, a former high school football star, whose life took a dramatic turn, as a young man looking for purpose in unhealthy ways, Amber and Jason speak with Joe about his early influences, the choices he made, his experience with incarceration and his journey to accountability and repair.  From the exuberance of youth to the stark reality of prison life, Joe reveals how he grappled with incarceration and the decisions that led to his convictions, including the moment he was confronted by law enforcement.  Joe's candid account provides an honest perspective on the stigmas surrounding sex offense convictions and the racial dynamics at play in the justice system. Now a passionate advocate for change through self-compassion, self-reflection and positive goal setting Joe is on a mission to help others navigate their paths to recovery and reintegration into society through his Pathfinder program. He shares his aspirations to foster community support and accountability for those impacted by the criminal legal system, emphasizing that everyone has a story worth telling and a more positive path available.  Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review! Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/amplifiedvoices]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1213727/open_sms] Join Amplified Voices co-hosts, Amber [http://www.amberspeaksup.com] and Jason for a compelling conversation with Justyna, an inspiring professional dedicated to forensic psychology and social work. Justyna shares her remarkable journey from community-based treatment and social work to her time working at Rikers. From her academic experiences at John Jay College and Hunter College to her first job in an outpatient program, her passion for helping people thrive is palpable. Justyna provides an enlightening perspective on the importance of supporting people as they navigate the complexities of re-entry, while also addressing the emotional toll it takes on treatment providers. Our discussion delves deep into the systemic hurdles faced by those re-entering society after incarceration. Justyna sheds light on the harsh realities and counterproductive nature of housing restrictions while addressing emotional strain experienced both by individuals on parole and registries and those who support them. We challenge common misconceptions about conviction registries and emphasize the critical need for public education to enhance community safety. The conversation also explores Justyna’s time as a clinical supervisor at Rikers Island, where she witnessed people with severe mental health conditions or developmental disabilities being locked in cells without medication or human interaction for weeks and sometimes months. While her intent in taking the job was to bring light to a dark place, it became clear to her that bearing witness on what she saw there was the best way to help. Motivated by her experiences, Justyna has taken bold steps to sound the alarm on the inhumane treatment of people at Rikers and campaign for systemic change behind the walls and beyond. She has also been focusing on voting rights and education for formerly incarcerated individuals. Her journey highlights the power of advocacy and the importance of using one's voice to drive meaningful change. Read: Detainees locked in cells for weeks: whistleblower [https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2024/10/11/rikers-detainees-whistelblower-mental-health-care-] Watch: Justyna's testimony in front of the Board of Corrections [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT9njFKspXI] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/amplifiedvoices]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1213727/open_sms] What if a single phone call could turn your entire world upside down? In this heartfelt episode of Amplified Voices [http://www.amplifiedvoices.show], Amber [http://www.amberseaksup.com] and Jason are in conversation with  Shawn Barrera-Leaf, whose family faced a seismic shift in August 2017. Just as Shawn was preparing for her eldest son's wedding, she received the shocking news that her youngest son, an aspiring doctor, had been arrested on a serious charge. Listen as Shawn opens up about the initial shock, confusion, and emotional turmoil that enveloped her family during this unimaginable time. Join us as we navigate the complexities of the criminal legal system through Shawn's eyes. She shares the family's journey through accountability, court proceedings, the significant financial and emotional strains, and the critical role of mental health counseling in helping them cope. You'll hear about the stark realities of mandatory minimum sentencing and the often-overlooked human aspects of legal battles. Shawn's story sheds light on the resilience required to endure and the importance of supportive people and networks that provided solace during their darkest days. In the latter part of our conversation, we explore Shawn's inspiring involvement in advocacy work. Discover how connecting with Michigan Citizens for Justice [https://micitizensforjustice.com/] and founding United Voices for Sex Offense Reform [https://uv4sor.org/] provided her with a sense of purpose and community. Celebrate with us the power of unity and collective action as we reflect on the hope and strength that can emerge from connections amidst significant adversity. About Shawn: Shawn Barrera-Leaf, a Michigan native, began her journey into criminal justice advocacy in 2017 when her son’s conviction drastically altered their lives. As the Executive Director of United Voices for Sex Offense Reform (UV4SOR) a national nonprofit, Shawn leads the organization to challenge punitive laws, raise awareness about the harm inflicted by the carceral system, and promote healing. UV4SOR’s advocacy efforts convey that justice is not about retribution, but about restoring dignity, hope, and the belief in second chances. She serves on the board of CURE-SORT and is actively involved in the steering committee of the National Coalition Against Conviction Registries comprised of 30+ organizations working together to abolish the Sex Offense Registry and its regime. Shawn can be reached at sbleaf@uv4sor.org or through the website UV4SOR [http://www.uv4sor.org] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/amplifiedvoices]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1213727/open_sms] What happens when a career in law enforcement collides with unexpected personal and legal challenges? In this episode of Amplified Voices, Amber [http://www.amberspeaksup.com]and Jason discover Joe and Amy's extraordinary journey. Joe, a former law enforcement officer, shares his story of camaraderie and disillusionment within the justice system. He opens up about his middle-class upbringing in Michigan, his educational and athletic pursuits, and what he saw in the system that led him to adopt a more empathetic view towards incarcerated people. Joe recounts the bewildering experience of facing allegations that challenged his understanding of the law and his own actions. Explore the profound impact on Joe and Amy's life as they navigate post-incarceration challenges, from probation and registry restrictions to societal judgment. Learn how they built a supportive relationship and a loving environment for their son, despite encountering significant hurdles like employment difficulties and community stigma. Together, Joe and Amy's story is a testament to the power of resilience, the strength of familial support, and the ongoing fight for justice and fair treatment. Organizations mentioned in the episode: United Voices for Sex Offense Reform [https://uv4sor.org/] Women Against Registry [https://ww1.womenagainstregistry.org/] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/amplifiedvoices]