The 98% - Life After Prison

This podcast is dedicated to the 98% of people incarcerated in North Carolina who will eventually be released from prison back into their communities, often with few, if any resources. Through the voices of people in transition and those who support them, we explore hurdles and life long barriers many justice-involved people confront whether getting a drivers license, finding housing, or trying to find a job. We examine issues like substance use disorder and mental health that plague this population and ask what we as a society can do to support the formerly incarcerated and reduce recidivism. In 2023, Judy Van Wyk and April Barber partnered to create a podcast about the many issues people face when transitioning from prison. Van Wyk is a producer and criminal justice advocate. April Barber received a life sentence when she was 15. After more than 31 years, she had her sentence commuted by Governor Cooper. She was released March 24, 2022.

The 98% - Life After Prison is a society podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 49 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The 98% - Life After Prison, a society show with 49 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #6

  The Evolution of Kerwin Pittman

  Aug 19, 202632 minS6

  Send us Fan Mail Kerwin Pittman’s transformation started in solitary confinement. He had a moment when he suddenly realized how much his gang activity was hurting his family. He vowed to turn his life around and spent the rest of his time in the hole reading everything he could get his hands on. Eight years later, Kerwin is a leader in reentry and an influential advocate for criminal justice reform. In January 2026, he bought a decommissioned prison with the idea of converting it into reentry housing and a workforce development campus where formerly incarcerated people can heal and rebuild their lives. This is his story. In 2023, Judy Van Wyk and April Barber partnered to create a podcast about the many issues people face when transitioning from prison. Van Wyk is a longtime video producer and criminal justice advocate. April Barber received a life sentence when she was 15. After more than 31 years, she had her sentence commuted by Governor Cooper. She was released March 24, 2022.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The 98% - Life After Prison

  Making the Most of a Second Chance

  Jul 30, 202627 min

  Send us Fan Mail Jorgie Brown was released in May, 2025 after five years in prison. She was lucky enough to find stable housing and wrap-around services with Arise Collective, one of the few programs in North Carolina that provides transitional housing for women. (see our 3-part series on Arise Collective which aired 12/03/25 - 01/08/26) Fourteen months later, Jorgie is thriving. She's living on her own, finishing up her bachelor's degree and working a job that allows her to help others who are making the transition from prison. In this story, we learn how Jorgie Brown has made the most of her second chance through hard work, lots of support and a rare opportunity to finish college through a special program offered by Campbell University. In 2023, Judy Van Wyk and April Barber partnered to create a podcast about the many issues people face when transitioning from prison. Van Wyk is a longtime video producer and criminal justice advocate. April Barber received a life sentence when she was 15. After more than 31 years, she had her sentence commuted by Governor Cooper. She was released March 24, 2022.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #4

  Reentry 2030: Changing How We Approach Incarceration

  Jul 22, 202633 minS6

  Send us Fan Mail In 2024, North Carolina signed on to an ambitious national initiative to reduce recidivism and break the ongoing cycle of incarceration. Reentry 2030 brings together people across all sectors of government to work collaboratively with community leaders and people with lived-experience to lower the barriers to housing, healthcare and employment. George Pettigrew serves as the Deputy Secretary for Rehabilitation and Reentry in the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and as such, oversees the Department’s Reentry 2030 Initiative. In our interview with him, we learn how Reentry 2030 is organized, who is actively participating, what their goals are, and how George Pettigrew views the opportunities and challenges moving forward. (Below are links to information about North Carolina’s participation in Reentry 2030.) https://reentry2030.org/state-north-carolina/ https://www.dac.nc.gov/divisions-and-sections/rehabilitation-and-reentry/reentry-2030 In 2023, Judy Van Wyk and April Barber partnered to create a podcast about the many issues people face when transitioning from prison. Van Wyk is a longtime video producer and criminal justice advocate. April Barber received a life sentence when she was 15. After more than 31 years, she had her sentence commuted by Governor Cooper. She was released March 24, 2022.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The 98% - Life After Prison

  On a Mission with a Purpose: April talks Peer Support and more...

  Jul 15, 20269 min

  Send us Fan Mail In the latest installment of April's On a Mission series, she gives us an update on her decision to pursue a master's degree in clinical social work. She describes the work of a Peer Support Specialist and explains why it's an attractive job for justice-involved people to pursue. In 2023, Judy Van Wyk and April Barber partnered to create a podcast about the many issues people face when transitioning from prison. Van Wyk is a longtime video producer and criminal justice advocate. April Barber received a life sentence when she was 15. After more than 31 years, she had her sentence commuted by Governor Cooper. She was released March 24, 2022.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #3

  Talking About Post Incarceration Syndrome

  Jun 25, 202646 minS6

  Send us Fan Mail No doubt, incarceration is a traumatic experience, often filled with guilt, shame and rage, not to mention the habits you learn to survive and cope. Upon release, people carry that trauma into a world that’s overwhelming and often unwelcoming. Until recently there was no name for the psycho-social trauma people suffer following incarceration. It’s called Post Incarceration Syndrome and, in this episode, we’re going to learn how three individuals have experienced and dealt with this potentially crippling affliction. In 2023, Judy Van Wyk and April Barber partnered to create a podcast about the many issues people face when transitioning from prison. Van Wyk is a longtime video producer and criminal justice advocate. April Barber received a life sentence when she was 15. After more than 31 years, she had her sentence commuted by Governor Cooper. She was released March 24, 2022.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The 98% - Life After Prison. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.