Voices of the System

When Punishment Outlasts the Crime: Tyreem Rivers’ Story

In this powerful episode, Tyreem Rivers, who has spent 30 years behind bars for a second-degree felony murder conviction, shares his journey from a troubled youth to a hopeful future defined by helping others. At just 18, Tyreem was convicted of second-degree felony murder following a purse snatching that resulted in an elderly woman’s death. What’s staggering is that the fatal outcome was linked to anesthesia administered during surgery, a detail only revealed decades later. There was never any intention to kill. His story challenges us to rethink the harsh sentencing laws that condemn young, mistake-prone minds to life in prison. Tyreem reflects candidly on how his brain was still developing at that age and questions the justice of life sentences for non-violent, unintentional crimes. You'll discover how early addiction and negative environments shaped his path, but also how education, mentorship, and resilience sparked his transformation. Tyreem earned a GED and graduated with honors from the University of Scranton.  Now, with a recent landmark Supreme Court ruling declaring life sentences for second-degree felony murder unconstitutional, he’s poised to finally reclaim his future.

Episode 7 Trailer: Tyreem Rivers

At 18 years old, Tyreem Rivers made a decision that changed his life forever. He regretfully tells the story of his decision to steal a woman’s purse and his life circumstances that lead to this choice. When the woman died two days later of complications from an injury that she unintentionally sustained during the robbery, Tyreem’s life changed forever.  While he agrees that his actions should have had consequences, he never expected what happened next. He was sentenced to life behind bars for a crime that was never intended to end in death, all due to the laws around second-degree, or felony, murder.  Hear Tyreem’s inspirational story of the things he has accomplished in the last 30 years in prison; from addiction and incarceration to education and advocacy.

Jane Golden on Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Transformative Power of Art

In this episode of Voices of the System, host Laurie Jubelirer sits down with Jane Golden, founder and executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, to explore how art is changing lives both inside and outside of prison walls. Jane shares the story behind Mural Arts Philadelphia, from its roots in the city’s Anti-Graffiti Network to becoming the largest public art program of its kind in the country, and how its mission has grown to center healing, connection, and opportunity through creativity. At the heart of the conversation is the organization’s restorative justice program, where incarcerated individuals collaborate on murals, develop skills, and rediscover a sense of purpose. Through deeply moving stories, Jane highlights how art becomes a “glue” inside prisons, bringing people together, fostering pride, and reconnecting individuals to the outside world. She discusses the real impact of this work, including dramatically lower recidivism rates, and shares firsthand accounts of participants who have gone on to build meaningful careers and lives after incarceration. More than just a conversation about art, this episode is about transformation, second chances, and the power of being part of something bigger than yourself. Jane makes a compelling case for why creativity should be at the center of how we approach criminal justice reform, and how reimagining systems through art can lead to real, lasting change.

Episode 6 Trailer: Jane Golden and Mural Arts Philadelphia

Get a glimpse into Voices of the System’s next episode, featuring Founder and Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, Jane Golden! What happens when creativity meets incarceration? In this preview, Jane Golden shares how the talent of incarcerated individuals is often overlooked. Jane discusses how art becomes a powerful force for connection, purpose, and change behind prison walls. Through her work with Mural Arts Philadelphia, she’s seen firsthand how creating together can reduce recidivism and transform lives. The full episode dives deeper into the impact of Mural Arts Philadelphia, how to get involved, and the real stories of individuals whose lives have been changed through art. Episode 6 drops Friday, April 24 at 12 PM.

A Self-Taught Path to a Second Chance: Dennis Cangiarella and His Prison-Made Passion

Episode 5 of Voices of the System features Dennis Cangiarella, whose journey through the criminal justice system reveals both its complexities and its human impact. After being sentenced to 15–30 years following a traumatic period in his life, Dennis made a pivotal decision behind prison walls: he would not let his circumstances define him. Instead, he spent years in the law library teaching himself post-conviction law, driven first by a desire to challenge his own sentence, and ultimately by a deeper purpose to help others. In this episode, Dennis shares the story behind his incarceration, the mental and emotional factors that shaped his case, and the realities of navigating the legal system from the inside. He reflects on how learning the law transformed his life while also helping bring people home after decades behind bars. Now working as a legal assistant in Philadelphia, Dennis continues to use his self-taught expertise to make a real impact. His story is one of accountability, resilience, and second chances. He is proof that even in the most difficult circumstances, it’s possible to find purpose and create change.