Black Light Mass Incarceration Show

Black Light Mass Incarceration Show is proud to announce our new partnership with @InmateTeawithAP, and today we’re bringing you the first official collab episode in this powerful new series. 🙌🏽

We start right here in North Carolina, breaking down the headlines that shape our communities — and exposing the deep trauma hidden behind those stories. From veterans fighting silent battles after serv...

In this powerful episode, host Cierra Cobb sits down with Elisa Grant, wife of Rashawn Grant, whose case exposes deep cracks in North Carolina’s judicial system. Rashawn’s story unfolds under the shadow of Judge Jefferson Griffin, a Court of Appeals judge accused of neglecting his judicial duties while entangled in lawsuits and political efforts to overturn an election he lost.

But beyond the legal fight, this is also a love story ...

In this conversation, Terica Riddford-Anze, an influential lawyer and executive director of the Southern Center for Human Rights, discusses her journey in the legal field, focusing on mass incarceration, racial bias, and the death penalty. She emphasizes the importance of community involvement, education, and mentorship in advocating for systemic change within the criminal justice system. The discussion highlights the misconception...

Jabril Gushiniere founder of the Cook County Corrections Coalition (C4) and author of Beneath the Badge, joins Black Light to unpack “cross-watching,” the illegal practice of forcing one officer to monitor multiple housing units. We connect the dots between unsafe staffing, preventable harm, unrest, and cascading lockdowns that cancel visits and devastate families. Jab...

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Koehn, founder of Social Purpose Corrections (SPC), a veteran-led nonprofit that is challenging the very foundation of how America approaches incarceration and re-entry. With over 30 years of experience, rising from correctional officer to warden to head of security for one of the world’s largest private corrections companies, Brian brings unparalleled insight into the failures and opportunit...

n this eye-opening episode of the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show, we sit down with Courtney Teasley, Esq., a nationally respected justice strategist, legal disruptor, and CEO of emeffen., to uncover the hard truths about the criminal justice system and why your lawyer might not truly believe in your innocence.

Courtney unpacks how she’s using her MFn Framework to train attorneys to become fierce advocates, not just legal perfo...

The podcast episode of Justice Denied explores the personal story of the host, who has been suspended from visiting their incarcerated husband for over a year due to a false accusation. Despite filing an appeal, they were denied and told to appeal again in 12 months, leading to a potential two-year separation. The host highlights the lack of transparency and fairness in the system, as they were never shown the evidence against them...

In this gripping episode, we bring you the story of a man who has spent over 20 years behind bars in Virginia for a crime he doesn’t remember committing. His journey through the criminal justice system highlights a troubling issue many face: the coercion of plea deals.

With limited resources and an overworked public defender, he was pressured into accepting a plea deal—a decision he made under duress and with little understanding o...

n this podcast episode, we spoke with Eric Seiferth about "The Captive State Collection" at the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC). The discussion delves into Louisiana's historical trajectory as the world's incarceration capital, tracing this dark legacy through three centuries of systemic oppression. The exhibit "Captive State" investigates the historical connections between slavery and mass incarceration, emphasizing how...

Innocence Interrupted follows the harrowing journey of Jovon Wash, a promising college student on a scholarship who finds his life turned upside down when he is wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit. Through in-depth interviews, personal reflections, and expert analysis, this podcast delves into the systemic failures that lead to wrongful convictions, the emotional and psychological toll on Jovon and his family, and the r...

Welcome to another episode of the Blacklight Mass Incarceration Show with your host, Ciara Cobb. In this episode, we delve into the life of Aaron Edward Olston, a multimedia journalist and host of the Abolition Christian podcast, who has been incarcerated since the age of 19 and is serving a life sentence in Washington state.

Aaron shares his profound journey from a troubled childhood filled with gang violence and addiction to find...

Welcome to an incredibly eye-opening episode of the Blacklight Mass Incarceration Show, where host Ciara Cobb opens up a candid conversation with a wrongfully convicted individual who shares his heartfelt journey within the justice system. From police stations to court proceedings and the dreaded jail experience, this episode reveals systemic failures and prejudices within our criminal justice system. This engaging discussion also ...

In this episode, Michael, serving a life plus 130-year sentence in a Virginia prison, shares his decades-long quest for legal assistance to prove his innocence. Having spent over 30 years behind bars, he recounts the harrowing ordeal of being coerced into pleading guilty to crimes he vehemently denies committing. Compounding his struggle is the daunting reality that all evidence pertinent to his case has been destroyed, further com...

Transforming Prisons: The Prison Monastery Experience

In this episode of "Transforming Prisons," we delve into the groundbreaking concept of The Prison Monastery, where the penitentiary is reimagined as a place for contemplation, self-discovery, and contribution. Hosted by Cierra , we explore how this innovative approach aims to turn shame into meaningful societal contribution.

At the heart of The Prison Monastery is "The Art of So...

In this episode, we delve into the story of Rhonda, a woman currently incarcerated in Georgia, serving a lengthy sentence under old laws. Rhonda's journey is marked by a tragic night where her life changed forever due to domestic violence. Over the past three decades, she has undergone tremendous self-reflection and rehabilitation, striving to rebuild her life and contribute positively to society.

Despite her efforts, Rhonda's appl...

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Bobby Bostic, a man who experienced the harsh realities of the American justice system at a young age but emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience. Bobby's story is one of transformation, redemption, and unwavering determination.

As a juvenile, Bobby found himself caught in the web of the legal system, sentenced to a staggering 241 years in prison for a series of crimes he c...

Join host Ciara Cobb in this enlightening episode of the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show. In this heartfelt episode, Ciara reflects on the difficulty faced after losing the show's sponsor and shares her own personal experience with domestic violence as she discusses the crucial social and criminal justice issues tied to it. The discussion underscores the importance of understanding triggers, accepts and responds appropriately. ...

This week on the Black Light Mass Incarceration Show, host Cierra has an extensive interview with Altimont Mark Wilks, a candidate for the congressional seat of Maryland's 6th district. Wilks shares his transformative journey from serving two decades of incarceration to becoming an advocate for change in his community. The conversation ranges from crucial social and criminal justice issues, to the disparities within th...