#110 Preserving Dignity - Jessica Katz, Family Preservation Project

Jessica Katz had an opportunity to go into the New York prison system to advise inmates on their familial rights. This led to applying for a job that put her the Family Preservation Project to help understand why people are in prison as opposed to focusing on just the punishment, which doesn't help decrease the recidivism rate. So for the last 17 years, she has been in charge of the project. Never an inmate herself, Jessica realizes she is lucky that she can go in and out as she pleases, but as a mother she relates 100% to the mothers who are locked up. Visits are definitely a big part of the program, but rebuilding the humanity and dignity into the incarcerated mothers is what creates the healing and solid families after they are released. Our very own host, Meg Thibodeaux, an ex-incarcerated mother, has volunteered to mentor in the program. Mothers also participate in the rebuilding of mental health of their children, who obviously are traumatized over the separation and the shame and stigma of a mother in prison. Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland. Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main Website was designed by Cameron Grimes Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org 10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com