Why do people really go to prison—and are they all just “bad”? What if the system was built to punish poverty, not crime?

In this powerful continuation of the recidivism series, Gershon, Pastor Andre, and Atiba unpack the deeper roots of incarceration. From systemic inequality and miseducation to spiritual growth and informal credentials, this episode challenges the labels and exposes the layered realities of justice in America.

What You'll Discover:

– How poverty, not just behavior, determines incarceration

– Why school discipline often becomes a legal sentence

– The myth of “bad people” and the power of informal credentials

– Generational trauma and cultural conditioning in communities

– How contextual intelligence creates real opportunity

– Why privilege—not morality—often determines who goes free

– How group homes, courts, and corporations profit from “bad kids”

Who Will Love This Episode:

– Advocates for prison reform and educational equity

– Teachers, youth workers, and mentors

– Students of sociology, psychology, and criminal justice

– Community leaders and faith-based organizers

– Parents navigating school discipline and youth development

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why Do People End Up in Prison?

02:00 – The Economics of Incarceration and Modern Slavery

07:00 – Poverty vs. Race: Who’s Really Targeted?

13:00 – Defining Social Justice in a Divided System

20:00 – Conditioning, Culture, and the Path to Prison

27:00 – Are We Failing Kids Before Courtrooms?

36:00 – Exposure, Travel, and the Power of Context

43:00 – Education, Standardized Testing, and Lost Opportunity

51:00 – Are People in Prison Just “Bad”?

1:00:00 – Juvenile Justice, Group Homes, and the Cost of Labels

Stay Connected:

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• Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments
• Subscribe & hit the bell icon to stay informed Let’s break the cycle. Let’s change the conversation

Resources Mentioned:

Documentary on mass incarceration: 13th (Netflix)

Clothing brand by Pastor Andre: childofgodbrand.com

Juvenile justice reform advocacy: campaignforyouthjustice.org

Historical overview of prison economics: equaljusticeinitiative.org

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

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Ep. 2

#EndTheViolence #SocialJustice #PrisonReform