Category Archives: Audio/Video

MIMIC and Wise Men Discussion with Youth @ Thomas Eakins House

The following Audio clips were recorded during a group session moderated by the PA Prison Society’s Ann Shwartzman featuring M.I.M.I.C and The Wise Men (two local ex offender groups working to keep teens from travelling down a similar path). The session took place in front of youth from The Mural Arts Program’s Youth Violence Reduction Program (Y.V.R.P.) and a larger audience comprised of families of the incarcerated and the public. This event was held in August 2011 at the Thomas Eakins House, MAP’s headquarters. Commutations in Pennsylvania (00:24) Tyrone’s Family (01:25) 23,505 Days (02:47) The Isolation of Re-entry (01:38) A Lifer Apologizes (01:22) Stop, Think, Listen (00:37) The Origin of M.I.M.I.C. (Men In Motion in the Community) (01:24) Cemeteries for the Living (00:39) In Their Lives (00:41) Feeling Safe (02:32) Mother of a Newly Convicted Lifer (01:19) Prison Beds (04:16) Comments by a visitor from Dallas (02:30) A Student in Y.V.R.P (Youth Violence Reduction Program) Responds (01:56) A Sixteen Year-Old’s Perspective (02:02) A Closing Message (00:37)

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Commuted Lifer Dinner Conversation @ Sabrina’s

Since the mid 90’s the state of PA has only commuted the life sentences of 5 people, the following clips are from 3 of the most recent. Dubbed “The Three Wise Men” this group met with us for a conversation in a diner about their experiences facing life with no parole, and the effect its had on their loved ones. The exponential growth of family 37 Nieces and Nephews, one for every year Getting commuted The night I left Criminalization of Family Using your family as your motivation Being socially inept

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M.I.M.I.C. Workshop @ Congresso

The following clips were recorded during an inspirational visit to the men from M.I.M.I.C. one night in August. The talk was held in Congresso in North Philadelphia. The following is a bio excerpt from M.I.M.I.C.’s website http://mimicphilly.org/ MIMICs mission is, “To build bridges of community support and social bonds for Philadelphia’s high risk youth, young adults and previously incarcerated men, through mentoring, community engagement and educational enrichment.” MIMIC is primarily based in the Kensington/Fairhill area of Philadelphia, is a community based and youth development organization that is uniquely prepared to engage the hardest to reach young males. The members of MIMIC are members of the same communities they serve, sharing similarities in culture, language and background. Additionally, some members of MIMIC are ex-offenders that have returned to their community as productive, upstanding citizens, modeling for young people the steps necessary to create profound change and the value of second chances. Instilling in them what I know now The institutionalized family Everyone is lying

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Ex-Offenders Workshop @ PA Prison Society

The following audio clips were taken during a PA Prison Society peer group meeting. This group of ex offenders regularly meet once a month. On this particular night, Family Interrupted was the main topic. A big thank you to everyone who came out, and shared their experiences. What family really means They were the strong ones It was harder on my family You have the power Feeling Shame Incarcerated women get very few visits Changing perspectives The choices we made We’re serving time with you Speaking the same language Loss while incarcerated

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Family of the Incarcerated Workshop @ PA Prison Society

The following clips are audio from our Family Interrupted workshop involving the families of the Incarcerated. This event was held in mid August at the Prison Society. Behind Closed Doors Daughter I wish I kept going to work On the Outside Looking In I’m sentencing your family

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