YOU & FIVE-O PODCAST

Episode 56: Building a Community for the Formerly Incarcerated with Guest Brian Scott

Episode 56: Building a Community for the Formerly Incarcerated with Guest Brian Scott

 

Our last episode of the year is truly something special! This time, we sat down with Brian Scott - the Executive Director of Our Journey, a statewide non-profit reentry organization focused on supporting the 19,000 men and women who are released from state correctional facilities each year. Brian begins by sharing his unique journey and personal connection to the mission of Our Journey, as a previously incarcerated person himself. He highlights the immense amount of support he received from the friends he made in prison and how crucial mental and spiritual support is for people going through the reentry process. It was this experience that inspired him to start Our Journey.

 

BJ and Brian then discuss how mental help is just as important as material help for those being released, and the idea that previously incarcerated people have a responsibility to support each other. They highlight that being released from prison is half the battle and reentry looks different for everyone. Brian explains that the mission of Our Journey is to provide customized programs that guide people through this process. He and BJ also discuss one of the main roadblocks facing people released from prison: housing, and how it increases the possibility that police will arrest them due to community complaints of being homeless.

 

BJ and Brian wrap up the conversation by sharing how YFO has been involved in Our Journey programs by helping previously incarcerated persons understand what to expect when interacting with law enforcement and how to get through interactions safely. 

We can’t wait to share this eye-opening conversation with y’all!

 

Get a copy of Brian’s reentry booklet for the formerly incarcerated: https://www.ourjourney2gether.com/_files/ugd/a3c001_b907f7245da04b2fbbd364790ce23dcf.pdf

*BJ wrote a piece on interacting with law enforcement for this booklet, on page 49!*

 

More about Brian Scott

Brian served 20 years in prison before being released in February of 2021. He founded OurJourney one year later because he realized that too many people return after incarceration without any support. In less than three years, OurJourney has grown into one of the premier statewide reentry organizations in North Carolina, forging partnerships with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, the North Carolina Department of Information Technology, Local Reentry Councils, LME/MCOs, and other stakeholders. Brian is often asked to speak around the state on issues related to reducing recidivism and criminal legal reform. 

In addition to serving as OurJourney's Executive Director, Brian is also on the Advisory Board for the Building College-Community Partnerships for Reentry research project at Ithaka and is part of the cohort on Community Safety for the Duke North Carolina Leadership Forum. 

Episode 55: Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents with Guest Melissa Radcliff

Episode 55: Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents with Guest Melissa Radcliff

 

We told y’all that we’d be back! In this episode we welcome Melissa Radcliff, Program Director of Our Children’s Place of Coastal Horizons in Wilmington, NC. After talking a little about her background and how she got involved with the statewide program, Radcliff shares her dedication to working with incarcerated parents, their families, and supporting them through the reentry process.

 

BJ and Melissa then discuss the role we as a community play in supporting children with current or previously incarcerated parents and helping them share their stories. It’s an unfortunate truth that they are often forgotten in the general conversation about improving the reentry process for incarcerated persons. The conversation then focuses specifically on the mission of Our Children’s Place and the FRESH (Family Re-Entry Support and Help) program, and how their efforts aim to develop opportunities for children to connect with their incarcerated parents and generate community support for the children whose parents are incarcerated or being released. BJ also explains how she and YFO became involved in the programs and the many ways that learning how to properly interact with law enforcement can help these same people and their families.   

 

BJ and Melissa emphasize the importance of empowering these children to take control of their own futures and not feel confined to the circumstances of their parents. The conversation shifts to the current initiative called Reentry 2030, which aims to improve reentry success for people exiting prison and those under supervision. The conversation ends with a reiteration of how difficult reentry is for incarcerated people and their families, as well as the devastating impacts these obstacles can have on their efforts to move forward.

 

More about Melissa Radcliff

Melissa Radcliff has been with Our Children’s Place of Coastal Horizons based in Wilmington, NC since February 2007. Our Children’s Place is a statewide education and advocacy program focused on community support for children of incarcerated and returning parents. She has worked in the area of victim services since the 1990s at a domestic violence agency, rape crisis center, prosecutor’s office, and police department in Rhode Island, Arizona, and North Carolina. She is currently overseeing the FRESH (Family Re-Entry Support and Help) program in 14 re-entry prison facilities. Melissa has extensive experience working with correctional facilities, community organizations, and other entities to develop opportunities for children to connect with their incarcerated parents and generate community support for the children whose parents are incarcerated or being released.

 

Episode 54: Bridging the Gap Between Police & Community with Guest Chief Keith Goyette

Episode 54: Bridging the Gap Between Police & Community with Guest Chief Keith Goyette

It's been a minute since we’ve done an episode, and this was a great one to start out with! This time, we welcomed Chief Keith Goyette of Kinston Police Department - a long-time colleague and friend of BJ - back to the podcast. After sharing his background, Chief Goyette breaks down the Kinston department, the number of people he oversees, and highlights the fact that the civilians that work within the department are the true unsung heroes of the organization.

 

BJ asks about some of the biggest problems facing Kinston police, as they have been recently facing some community backlash over a few use-of-force incidents. Chief Goyette explains the complexity of the situation and emphasizes that though social media can be a great tool, it can also be a problem creating a one-sided narrative. The two also discuss the current climate of the upcoming elections, the stickiness of political affiliations, and the pressure to endorse candidates or join organizations. 

 

They move one to one of YFO’s favorite topics: the importance of community policing and how Chief Goyette incorporates it in his community. Chief Goyette underlines their upcoming Citizen Police Academy and its success the previous year. BJ wraps things up by sharing some stats about the Kinston Police Department, and Chief Goyette explains YFO’s involvement in Kinston and how important it is to have a bridge that connects law enforcement and the community. 

 

More about Chief Goyette:

Keith Goyette began working as a police officer with the Ayden Police Department in 2000 and later joined the Kinston Police Department in January of 2001. Over the years, Keith has advanced his way through the ranks of the organization, working in numerous divisions within the agency to include Patrol Officer, a member of Special Response Unit, Crime Scene Investigator, Narcotics Unit Supervisor, Investigations Division Supervisor, Patrol Supervisor as well as a Field Training Officer for the agency. Keith is a General Instructor and actively teaches several courses in the BLET program at Lenoir Community College.

 

In 2009, Keith received his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. Keith holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Mount Olive, as well as a master’s degree in Homeland Security Administration from Tiffin University. He is also a graduate of the 74th AOMP Session at North Carolina State University and is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Program at Methodist University. Keith is a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety and has also completed the Leadership Certificate Program and the Criminal Investigator Certificate Program from the North Carolina Justice Academy.

 

On February 2, 2023, Keith was selected as the permanent Chief of Police for the Kinston Police Department. During Chief Goyette’s tenure, he has implemented several policies, procedures, and initiatives helping reduce violent crime, build community trust and increase transparency, while embracing both constitutional policing and police proactivity. Chief Goyette places tremendous value on public safety and community engagement with the understanding that it is a shared responsibility and that police cannot do it alone. He is committed to making Kinston one of the safest cities in the East.

 

Episode 53: The Future of Policing with Guest Chief Jason Armstrong

Episode 53: The Future of Policing with Guest Chief Jason Armstrong

For our final podcast of the year, we’re excited to welcome Apex Police Chief Jason Armstrong to the show to talk about his journey in policing, the community policing he does, advancements to the profession, and more! We believe he represents the future of law enforcement, where positive change can be made. We encourage the community to help identify leaders like him by voicing their appreciation and commending those officers for delivering the service they desire from their police department.

 

Chief Armstrong’s journey to the Apex Police Department took him through Ferguson, MO, where he dealt with the aftermath of the Michael Brown incident. He explains how this inspired his work with the community to improve relationships with the police, and how he’s carried this through his work today. He talks about his philosophy on community policing, how he gets support from the community and implements it with his officers, what’s worked and how he goes about it in Apex now.

 

We finish the show by discussing the changes he’s made in Apex - including  creating a non-sworn civilian internal affairs (the first of its kind!) and relaxing the policies on appearances so his officers can be more themselves. Chief Armstrong is also currently hiring for the Apex Police Department - you can find more details at apexnc.org/261/Police-Department

 

More about Chief Jason Armstrong:

Jason Armstrong was appointed the Chief of Police for the Town of Apex, North Carolina, on August 2, 2021. Prior to his appointment in Apex he served as Chief of Police for the Ferguson Police Department (Missouri) for two years. Chief Armstrong joined Ferguson PD after an accomplished career with the Forest Park Police Department (Georgia). He started his law enforcement career with Forest Park PD in 2001 and held nearly every position in the organization over his 18-year career, to include Interim Police Chief. Chief Armstrong is recognized as one of the nation’s top law enforcement leaders in the areas of community outreach & engagement and police reform. During his tenure with Ferguson PD, the department saw its most significant gains on their federal consent decree with the Department of Justice.

 

Chief Armstrong is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. Chief Armstrong’s professional accolades include the 40 Under 40 Award from both the IACP and North Carolina Central University (NCCU). He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus in Public Service Award from Columbus State University. In 2019, he was appointed to the IACP’s community policing committee. Chief Armstrong currently serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, the Executive Board for the North Carolina Police Executives Association and the Police Chief Advisory Board for the North Carolina League on Municipalities. Chief Armstrong holds a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration and has amassed over 3,300 professional development training hours during his 22-year career. When he is not in the public eye, Chief Armstrong enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. The family enjoys traveling, sports, boating, and exploring new adventures.

Episode 52: Speaking Our Truths with Guests Alicia R. Johnson and Crystal Graves

Episode 52: Speaking Our Truths with Guests Alicia R. Johnson and Crystal Graves

Today, we’re introducing another new segment for our podcast: Speaking Our Truths. The goal with this is to give a voice to the communities that are talked about, have biases around, or are misunderstood - so we can work to reduce the stigma and give voice to their issues and concerns, with the hope that they’ll be heard and inspire others to work toward change.

For this episode, we are joined by two women living in Durham public housing - Alicia R. Johnson and Crystal Graves - who are passionate about their communities and want to inspire them to do better. This initial podcast allows us to introduce them and their stories to you - where they came from and their journey to where they are now. We also touch on the issues they’ve faced, what it’s like living in public housing, the impact and stigma around it, what can be improved, and more. Stay tuned for more from this inspiring segment!

More about our guests:

Alicia R. Johnson

Alicia was born in Kansas City, MO, and at the age of five, her family moved to Durham for a few years before heading to Maywood, IL, where she was raised. She now lives in the Durham Housing Authority community of Laurel Oaks. She has two beautiful children, and says “My life’s journey hasn’t been easy, yet by the Grace of God I’m still here. I have my church leaders who have and are helping me with my spiritual walk with Jesus Christ my Lord.” Alicia has a Cosmetology and Instructor License, and is currently pursuing her Barber Instructor License in order to eventually start her own Cosmetology/Barber school. She believes in educating and encouraging people through compassion, love and understanding with the belief and faith they will become the best they can be.

Crystal Graves

Crystal moved from Florida to Durham in 2014 and currently lives in the Cornwallis Community, where she is Vice President. She is the mother of two beautiful daughters and worships at Faith Assembly Christian Center-TNC. Her passion is creating opportunities that support and benefit the needs of others. She enjoys the responsibility of planning, organizing, and managing events. The work up-to and when the goal is reached is what drives her passion, which is to build relationships within the community, and the organizations that support that community. She does this as part of her faith and belief that when we support the needs of others, we all are better. This journey of partnering and collaborating with others in making a difference is helping her build the foundation to create her own nonprofit in the future. Her hope and prayer is that these partnerships are filled with growth and meaningful connections.

 

Episode 51: Going Beyond the Data with Guest Bob Scales

We’re back! With the latest in our new segment “Your Questions, Your Power” - where we help community members understand the importance of asking the right questions of their elected officials and local law enforcement, and how data can be beneficial for creating change. Today we are excited to be joined by Bob Scales - co-founder and CEO of Police Strategies LLC.

After getting reacquainted with each host, we hear from Bob about his background and experience, journey to where he is now, and an explanation of his company’s police force analysis system. Numbers don’t tell you everything you need to know about each police interaction or situation, so their system goes beyond the data to truly understand what’s going on, why there are disparities, and what that means for the police agency and community (and what can be done about it).

We discuss how police are their own worst enemy when it comes to data and transparency, how the media portrays the data about policing, Bob’s experience with police reform and the DOJ/politics involved, his opinion on consent decrees, and the research paper he recently released on use of force. As always with this segment, we also go into detail on what questions to ask to understand the data you’re receiving, the questions you’re allowed to ask your police agency to get more data, and how to best utilize that as a community member.

More about Bob Scales:
Bob Scales is a founding partner of Police Strategies LLC where he currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Scales served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in King County Washington, a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, the Assistant Director for Public Safety for the City of Seattle, the Director of the Government Affairs for the Seattle City Attorney, and the Compliance Coordinator for the Seattle Police Department. Scales represented Seattle during the USDOJ pattern or practice investigation of Seattle PD in 2011 and helped to negotiate the subsequent consent decree.  Scales was elected to two terms on the Bainbridge Island, WA City Council and served one year as Mayor.

Episode 50: Your Questions, Your Power with Guests Finesse Moreno-Rivera & Kelly Childress

Episode 50: Your Questions, Your Power with Guests Finesse Moreno-Rivera & Kelly Childress

Today we are launching our new segment: “Your Questions, Your Power” with Finesse and Kelly! This segment highlights the importance of data, especially as it relates to policing - we want to help the community understand what to look for, how to ask for data, and how to interpret it. You have the right to do so! After Finesse and Kelly introduce themselves again, they dive into discussing what they each want to accomplish with this new segment… primarily making data transparent and accessible, and how to practically apply that to your local organizations to help create change.

They also discuss the importance of Black people voting - the history of it and where we are today, especially regarding the changes happening in Mississippi that are causing voter suppression. Kelly brings up the need to look at the root cause of crime, otherwise policing isn’t as effective, and they all suggest solutions for how to fix that - for police, community members, and local organizations. They end by discussing policing, the number one resistance to police officers, and understanding how to safely get through interactions with law enforcement. Finesse shares her personal experiences with police, and they highlight the importance of learning how to safely get through police stops in drivers ed.

Episode 49: Law Enforcement Accountability, Starts with a Complaint with Guest Chief Henry King

Episode 49: Law Enforcement Accountability, Starts with a Complaint with Guest Chief Henry King
Welcome back to the You & Five-O podcast, where we have Chief Henry King of the Edenton Police Department joining us. We have had a long-time relationship with King, and recently worked with him to release our new short film #Huemans: A Guide to Get Home - a free resource available on youandfive-o.com and our YouTube page to provide Black and Brown communities with information on how to safely interact with law enforcement.

After telling us about his background and early experiences with police, King and BJ talk about how Black and Brown people who are active in the community don't desire to be police, but those kinds of individuals are needed in the police force to help bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement. King says police are public figures, but believes that in order to get respect, you have to give respect.

King talks about the struggles of small police departments and how they don’t have the tools needed to handle certain assignments, such as homeless shelters or housing for assaulted women. He also talks about how voting and police reform go hand-in-hand.

King aims to provide opportunities to anyone who wants to work in law enforcement and is willing to obtain the necessary education, training, and certifications - regardless of race. He wants to create a diverse pool of candidates who can replace him as the chief of police in the future. He also explains how to file complaints about officer’s behavior, and what the process is like at his department.

Bola WRAP

Watch #Huemans: A Guide To Get Home

More about Chief Henry King

Chief Henry King Jr started his employment at the Rocky Mount Police Department in December 2000 as a patrol officer. Serving in this capacity, he worked as a uniform patrol officer, answering calls for service, serving warrants, and traffic control. He also worked as a bicycle officer. Henry was transferred to the Administrative Services Division in 2003 as a School Resource Officer (SRO) and was assigned to Edwards Middle School. In July 2005, Henry was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In July 2006, he was promoted to Sergeant assigned to the Uniformed Operations Division. In February 2010, Henry was transferred to the Professional Standards Division. In August 2013, he was promoted to Lieutenant. In August of 2017, he was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. On May 7, 2018, he was named Chief of Police for the Town of Edenton. Chief Henry King Jr is also assigned to the North Carolina Secretary State Task Force and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Task Force.

Chief Henry King is a native of Durham, NC. He has served in the military (United States Marine Corps) and is a graduate of North Carolina Central University. He is also a graduate of the North Carolina State University, Administrative Officers Management Program, Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI National Academy Session 283. Chief King serves as an Executive Board member on the North Carolina Internal Affairs Investigation Association. He also serves as a Commissioner for the North Carolina Sentencing Commission and the North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board. Henry also serves as an Executive Board member for the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a Life Member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Episode 48: Role Models for Policing with Guests Rob Mewborn and Di’Nesha Rouse

Episode 48: Role Models for Policing with Guests Rob Mewborn and Di’Nesha Rouse

On our newest podcast episode, we welcome two officers from the police department in Kinston, NC: Rob Mewborn and Di’Nesha Rouse. You & Five-O has partnered with the Kinston PD for many years - they have a predominantly African American population, with a mostly white police department - because of their desire to improve community-police relations by spreading awareness and educating the community on how to safely interact with law enforcement.

After introducing themselves, Officers Mewborn and Rouse discuss the challenges of pursuing a career in law enforcement in the Black community. They talk about how there weren’t any Black role models as police officers when they were younger, and how the Black community tends to prioritize sports as a career over other paths. They also discuss how the opinions and attitudes of their family, friends, and community vilify becoming a police officer, and ideas they have for how to change that.

BJ highlights the importance of hiring from the local level - both Rouse and Mewborn were born and raised in Kinston - and the difference it makes as an officer when you’re connected with your community. Mewborn and Rouse also share their experiences as school resource officers - what they see on the ground level, working with youth, and the daily struggles they encounter. They approach their work with a mindset of being the change they want to see and actively explore ways to help young people succeed and stay out of trouble.

 

More about Di’Nesha Rouse:
Di’Nesha Rouse was hired by the Kinston Police Department in 2019. Prior to her service in Kinston, she attended college at Winston Salem State University, majoring in Criminal Justice. Officer Rouse started her career in law enforcement on the patrol division. Due to Officer Rouse’s involvement in and with the community, she has received awards ranging from Officer of the Month to Life Saving awards. Officer Rouse has furthered her knowledge by attending the Gang Resistance Education and Training program, located in Forsyth Georgia, in an effort to combat delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership for children/teens. Officer Rouse transitioned from patrol to working as the school resource officer for Rochelle Middle School in January 2023.

More about Rob Mewborn:
Officer Rob Mewborn is a lifetime resident of Kinston, NC - born in east Kinston and educated in the public school system. Officer Mewborn has served the citizens of Kinston for over 18 years, in many different capacities throughout the city. He started his career with the City of Kinston in 2004 and later transferred to the Police Division in 2010. After serving for a short while as a police officer, he returned to environmental services and worked for seven more years. In 2017 Officer Mewborn was asked by the former Chief of Police Alonzo Jaynes if he would be interested in returning to the Police Division and serving as Kinston High’s School Resource Officer, which he readily accepted. With over 15 years of experience dealing with young people, Officer Mewborn has managed to usher in a new wave of experience and make lasting relationships with the young students at KHS, as well as the community in which he serves. Officer Mewborn is a true example of community policing, and enjoys serving the students and citizens of Kinston NC.

 

Episode 47: Your Questions, Your Power with Guests Finesse Moreno-Rivera & Kelly Childress

We’re back with the first episode of 2023 and this time we’re joined by two amazing, data-driven women: Finesse Moreno-Rivera and Kelly Childress. After hearing more about each of their backgrounds, they dive into discussing Finesse’s USA Today article and the importance of learning how to interact with law enforcement. Finesse and Kelly focus on analyzing data when it comes to policing - looking at minor violations, traffic stops, etc. - and emphasize the lack of complete data available because police agencies are not required to report it. Community members need to know that they can and should ask their police agencies what they’re currently tracking, as well as ask them to track data they aren’t. This is an important aspect of holding police accountable!

BJ, Kelly, and Finesse discuss the amount of people leaving the police force, the next generation of law enforcement that will provide the change communities want to see in the system, and moving past the “tough on crime” rhetoric to focus on serving people. They also share their thoughts on how the media impacts the way people view crime/police - there’s always more to the story and data than is shared in the media’s short sound-bites.

Finesse and Kelly also emphasize the importance of making data more accessible to the community so they can easily view and understand it, which helps them make informed decisions and push for change. They end the show by discussing a variety of topics, from the importance of education and getting out of the school-to-prison pipeline, to the push-back they get on their work regarding policing, to what we can do to change the community’s perspective on policing, and what makes citizens noncompliant.

Read Finesse’s USA Today article

More about Finesse Moreno-Rivera:
Finesse received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky and a M.A. in Forensic Psychology from Roger Williams University. Throughout graduate school and post academia, Finesse has worked at the state and federal level conducting research, criminal investigations and serving the forensic population through various phases of criminal proceedings such as supervision, court room representation and assisting prisoners with reentry programs. Her previous work has focused on data analysis examining opioid replacement programs, criminal profiling, sentencing guidelines, data transparency efforts for law enforcement entities and legislation analysis.

 

For example, during her time at the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, her review of the Pennsylvania Probation and Parole board data was to ensure that their assessment was validated and scientifically sound when assessing the release of inmates. In addition, Finesse’s work with the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, has been utilized in many congressional hearings for talking points in assessing and developing policies for programs such as the Second Chance Act. In previous hearings, former Attorney General William Barr utilized her analysis to determine funding needed, impact and progress of the policy. Her passions continue to be criminal justice reform and the utilization of data and policy analysis in the criminal justice field.

More about Kelly Childress:
Kelly Childress received her Master’s of Sociology with a concentration in criminology from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). While at UNCG, she worked on numerous projects examining topics such as the prison-to-school pipeline, racial bias policing, and reentry programming for formerly incarcerated women.

Her graduate thesis, “Life Histories of Formerly Incarcerated Black Women” examined the lives of six formerly incarcerated women to identify familial and personal relationships, trauma, and other experiences linked to incarceration for women. It became apparent that lack of access to resources and trauma created pathways into the criminal justice system for Black women.

In addition, she has worked in the school system and social services. Currently, she is working as a program coordinator for the homeless. Kelly is passionate about advocating for trauma-informed policing and criminal justice reform. She also has a passion for data. Through her work with You and Five-O, she has helped to provide insight into systemic issues with the criminal justice system and the effects of generational trauma within Black and Brown communities as it pertains to the criminal justice system.