“We have to confront the fact that the punishment does not end upon release. There are so many multifaceted layers. Your first foray into the carceral system often isn’t even the time of arrest. It is citations that lead to carceral debt.”
-Gabrielle Perry

Description: 
Gabrielle Perry is the founder and executive director of the Thurman Perry Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting formerly incarcerated women and their daughters. She is also an epidemiologist specializing in infectious diseases. Perry’s journey from incarceration to becoming a successful entrepreneur and advocate for criminal justice reform is a testament to her resilience and determination.

Perry shares her personal story of adoption, incarceration, and redemption. She discusses the challenges faced by incarcerated women, including lack of proper healthcare, limited visitation, and inadequate resources upon release. Perry highlights the gender disparities in the criminal justice system, emphasizing that women are the fastest-growing population in prisons, with significant impacts on their children and communities. She also addresses the importance of restorative justice approaches and the need for more support systems for women transitioning out of incarceration.

Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction and welcome to Gabrielle Perry
(00:02:05) Gabrielle’s background and early life experiences
(00:07:15) Meeting her biological mother and impact of her death
(00:10:14) Gabrielle’s experience with incarceration and its effects
(00:15:51) Kindness and support from other incarcerated women
(00:18:27) The judge’s role in Gabrielle’s case and compassion
(00:21:20) Importance of community and restorative justice approaches
(00:25:38) Discussion on women’s experiences in the criminal justice system
(00:29:16) Founding of the Thurman Perry Foundation
(00:32:29) Programs offered by the Thurman Perry Foundation
(00:34:42) How to connect with Gabrielle and the foundation
(00:36:26) Gender bias in resources for incarcerated individuals
(00:38:40) The growing population of incarcerated women and its impact
(00:41:29) Closing remarks and appreciation for Gabrielle’s work
(00:43:08) Wrap-up and future collaborations

Episode Resources:
Thurman Perry Foundation
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