The Business of Recidivism | Prison Profits, Systemic Cycles & Human Stories | End the Violence✊🏽🎙️

Why do two-thirds of formerly incarcerated individuals return to prison—and who profits from their return? What does it really take to break the cycle?

In this kickoff episode of End the Violence, hosts Gershon, Pastor Andre, and Atiba expose the system behind recidivism, challenge common myths about justice-involved individuals, and highlight grassroots efforts changing lives. Featuring raw personal stories and deep institutional insight, this is the conversation mainstream media avoids.

What You'll Discover:

– Why recidivism isn’t failure—it’s design

– How incarceration became a profit-driven machine

– What most people get wrong about justice-involved individuals

– The school-to-prison pipeline and youth criminalization

– Why community-led intervention works better than policing

– How digital surveillance is transforming incarceration

– Real-life solutions and systems that give people a second chance

Who Will Love This Episode:

– Advocates for social justice and prison reform

– Community leaders, activists, and policymakers

– Students of sociology, criminal justice, and law

– Faith-based and grassroots organizers

– People seeking redemption, hope, and deeper understanding

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to End the Violence: Why Recidivism Matters

01:00 – Atiba’s Story: From Prison to Court Administrator

06:30 – Pastor Andre’s Story: Missed Court, Mission Work, and Ministry

13:00 – What Is Recidivism? Definitions, Myths, and Human Realities

19:00 – The Economic Trap: Fines, Bail, Extortion, and Exploitation

24:00 – The Street vs. Society: How Acceptance Works on Both Sides

27:00 – The Prison-Industrial Complex: Public Dollars, Private Gain

33:00 – Hiring the “Hitters”: Inside Community-Based Safety Models

36:00 – From Testimonies to Influence: Why Churches Still Matter

42:00 – Breaking the Pipeline: Youth, Labels, and Overcriminalization

47:00 – Final Reflections: Humanity, Hope, and Action Steps Forward

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if it resonated with you
• 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:

Youth Mentorship for Children of Incarcerated Parents: usdreamacademy.org

Faith-Based Policy Advocacy in Tampa: hopetampabay.org

Interdenominational Community Organizing in St. Pete: fastpinellas.org

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

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: [email protected]

Ep. 1

#EndTheViolence #SocialJustice #PrisonReform