Storytelling lifts mothers' voices as they are
often unsung, universal, catalysts, cheerleaders, and change agents
for stronger entry outcomes
DALLAS, Aug. 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies (Securus), an
Aventiv Technologies (Aventiv) company and the leading provider of
connections between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones,
today announced the release of Second Chance University's latest
podcast, "A Mother's Voice," now available on 600,000 Securus
tablets nationwide. Hosted by Second Chance University's Founder
and President Andre Norman, the
12-part series amplifies the voices of mothers whose stories and
emotional journeys as advocates, support systems, and windows to
the outside world bring to life an entirely new view of navigating
incarceration with a loved one.
"When a person is incarcerated, society disconnects them
as a punishment as they go through an experience dominated by
courts, judges, lawyers, therapists, and others who are part of the
process," said Andre Norman, Founder
and President, Second Chance University. "We overlook that
separating individuals from their mothers, who are often the
central support system to these individuals whose lives are
changing dramatically, can be catastrophic. The stories in this
series paint a clear picture, and remind us, of the role mothers
can play in helping a person transform and
rehabilitate."
Norman, himself a justice-impacted individual whose father
was incarcerated and who was himself sentenced to over 100 years in
prison, spent two years in solitary confinement. There, he
experienced an epiphany that transformed him from a prison gang
member to someone who invested 20 hours a day educating himself to
pursue his dreams and restore his future. He taught himself to read
and to understand the law, helping chart a course towards freedom
through the successful appeal of his conviction and release 14
years into his sentence.
Since incarceration, he has spent much of his adult life
advocating for the justice impacted, those that are incarcerated,
their families, and correctional staff, hoping to bring reform to
an outdated criminal justice system. Norman now travels the world
listening to and mentoring other justice-impacted individuals and
families hoping to be a catalyst for change.
"I grew up in a community with many challenges, but we all knew
who the 'Kool-Aid' or 'candy' mom was—the mother who looked out for
everyone in the neighborhood when no one else could," said Norman.
"She offered a strong voice, free of judgement; and via this
podcast, we hope to provide inspiration and understanding that
empowers people to find a better way."
Norman, a member of the Aventiv Technologies Advisory
Board, has collaborated with Securus, an Aventiv Technologies
company and the leading provider of corrections communications, to
make the podcast series available on Securus tablets in
correctional facilities nationwide. Over the past five years,
Securus has invested more than $600
million in infrastructure upgrades, deploying these tablets
to provide incarcerated individuals with access to safe technology
that bridges the digital divide and connects them to resources that
lead to better reentry outcomes.
"Aventiv believes in creating change to build a society that
embraces individual experience and second chances, and we
surrounded ourselves with leaders whose diversity and expertise can
help accelerate progress," said Dave
Abel, Aventiv, CEO. "As a founding member of our Advisory
Board and a champion for justice-impacted individuals, Andre
highlights an often-overlooked insight that incarceration affects
both families and communities, and connecting these networks to
others with the same lived experience can bring confidence, hope,
and inspiration for a better way."
Second Chance University's "A Mother's Voice" 12-series podcast
is available on YouTube to the general public and via Securus
tablets for incarcerated individuals seeking to connect with the
stories of hope, inspiration, reunification and forgiveness that
are uniquely part of each individual's return home.
- Episode 1: Life Is Worth Living: Sharicca, a nonprofit
founder, discusses her journey as a single mother, and the tragic
loss of her son after being released by the criminal justice
system, stressing the importance of mental health.
- Episode 2: An Unbreakable Bond: Crystal, a remarkable
mother of three, opens up about her unwavering belief in her
children's potential, which shines through as she encourages them
to pursue educational and vocational opportunities while
incarcerated, highlighting the hope a mother's love can
provide.
- Episode 3: More Than a Number: Tekesia from Atlanta shares learnings on navigating the
criminal justice system and the enduring power of a mother's love
through her son's incarceration.
- Episode 4: A Journey of Healing: Cassandra, a resilient
mother from Atlanta, shares her
journey navigating the criminal justice system and maintaining an
unbreakable bond with her incarcerated son.
- Episode 5: Mama, I Should Have Listened: Tasha, an
entrepreneur and advocate shares her powerful story of seeing her
son in court, the devastating 40-year sentence he received as well
as her unwavering love for her children and her mission to make a
difference in the lives of others.
- Episode 6: Love Has No Boundaries: Tiesha from
Grand Rapids, Michigan shares her
powerful story of resilience, hope, and unwavering love for her
children as she experiences the arrest and legal battles of her son
firsthand.
- Episode 7: Love, Hope, and Perseverance: Lakeisha shares
her incredible journey of navigating the challenges of raising
three incarcerated sons and her mission to make a difference in the
lives of others.
- Episode 8: Struggles Build Strength: Kimberly shares how
she overcame adversity and found strength through life's
challenges, including the heart-wrenching experience of seeing her
daughter and son taken away in handcuffs and going through the
criminal justice system.
- Episode 9: The Sacrifices of a Mother: Ersela shares her
powerful story of overcoming adversity and finding success,
including overcoming the heartbreaking moment when her autistic son
was arrested and had to navigate the criminal justice system.
- Episode 10: Losing My Son to the System: Jennifer shares
her heartbreaking journey of seeking justice for her son who was
tragically murdered in a Georgia
prison.
- Episode 11: Life Without Parole: Sarah from Holland, Michigan shares her emotional journey
of raising her son and the heart-wrenching experience of his
incarceration.
- Episode 12: Fighting for My
Son's Future: Tiffany shares her emotional journey of
navigating the challenges of her son's incarceration and the impact
on her own life.
About Securus Technologies:
Headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, Securus
Technologies is an Aventiv Technologies company, whose focus is
connecting what matters®, by serving more than 3,450 public safety,
law enforcement, and corrections agencies and over 1,200,000
incarcerated individuals across North
America. Securus Technologies commitment to serve and
connect is delivered by providing emergency response, incident
management, public information, investigation, biometric analysis,
communication, information management, incarcerated individual
self-service, and monitoring products and services in order to make
our world a safer place to live. For more information, please
visit aventiv.com/securus-technologies or follow Securus
on LinkedIn.
About Second Chance University:
Second Chance
University, inspired by Founder and President Andre Norman's transformative mission, is here
to support you every step of the way. Our community is dedicated to
providing prisoners and ex-convicts with the education, resources,
and support needed to successfully reintegrate into society and
pave the way for a fulfilling life. We offer a nurturing
environment where former inmates can access tailored programs,
essential resources, and a supportive network designed to empower
them for a successful societal reentry and a prosperous future. At
second chance university, we believe in the power of education, the
strength of community, and the resilience of the human spirit. No
matter your past, your future is unwritten, and full of potential.
For more information on second chance university, please visit us
at https://secondchanceuniversity.org/.
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SOURCE Securus Technologies