An Inside Look at Prison Industry Enterprise: Is It Really a Win/Win for Business, Inmates and Us? A Frank Interview Tim Grant
July 21, 2016
Hosted by Helen Hillix, Todd Benton and Chris Reese
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Guest Information
Episode Description
First a few facts. More than 2.3 million Americans are in prison and over 50% in federal lock-up are there for drug offenses. Of the 9% of prisoners who are women, 75% have histories of severe physical abuse by partners and 82% suffered serious physical or sexual abuse as girls. They are disproportionately black. Some prisoners work, especially in federal penitentiaries, and they can be forced to work for minimum or no compensation, as little as 23 cents/hour. For the last few years, some people are trying to create a different model for prison labor, developing a for-profit manufacturing sector in prison that is supposed to be a win/win for companies and inmates. Tim Grant runs one such factory in an Arkansas maximum security women’s prison. He says he is giving prisoners decent wages, money to send home, skills to use outside and a sense of value. Let’s get the inside story on this new form of prison labor. Does it help prisoners, is it taking our jobs or is it a new chain gang?
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You count! Your voice, compassion and dedication to doing the right thing are part and parcel of the Inner Revolution that is sweeping our world, and Inner Revolutionary Radio is your platform. We may not be perfect, but we are standing up to mindless conformity, facing our negative patterns and beliefs, working together to make this a better world. Inner Revolutionary Radio gives us a voice and a way of joining forces. We share a vision: a recognition of our Oneness with one another and the planet; an acknowledgement of our Accountability for our impact on ourselves and each other; a dedication to Mutual Support, knowing that we can’t thrive in a world that is not also thriving. And we’re developing the courage to stand up to all tyrannies, even those in our heads. Each week we offer News of the Inner Revolution and introduce you to guests who are shaking up the world. Tune in, participate, and support this vision.
Helen Hillix, Todd Benton and Chris Reese
Helen Hillix, Todd Benton and Chris Reese met many years ago, when our journeys for inner healing brought us to the InnerRevolution.Org. Under the guidance of Beth Green, the organization’s founder, we evolved into spiritual activists who support the three principles of The Inner Revolution: Oneness, Accountability and Mutual support – in all areas of life. Ultimately, there is no personal healing; no one person can be well in a world where others are suffering. It takes a collective shift in awareness for sustainable change and for everyone to thrive. InnerRevolutionary radio was Beth Green’s baby, and now it’s our turn to nurture this platform and share the vision: gathering others and sharing work that is being done around the world under many different banners to bring more consciousness into personal, political, spiritual and business arenas. As co-hosts of InnerRevolutionary Radio, Helen, Todd and Chris bring you a weekly opportunity to confront mindless traditions, look at how we separate from one another, and learn to transform our thinking. And, once a month we interview Beth, who is an amazingly wise, compassionate, and funny woman. We have day jobs too: Helen is an intuitive counselor, Todd a web developer, and Chris is an insurance industry executive. Each of us practices the principles of Oneness, Accountability and Mutual Support in all aspects of our lives. It’s a ride, with ups and downs, and worth every minute of it! Join us to learn, laugh and evolve.
