Prison: The Hidden Sentence

09/22/2025

In this powerful episode of Prison The Hidden Sentence podcast, we speak with Natasha Blakely, Training and Engagement Specialist at Project Avary, to explore the impact of incarceration on children and families. Natasha shares her personal journey and the purpose that drives her work supporting youth with incarcerated parents. If you’re looking to understand the deeper effects of prison beyond the sentence—and how compassion, mentorship, and community can change lives—this conversation is a must-listen. Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, advocate, or someone impacted by incarceration, you’ll find inspiration and insight in Natasha’s story and the mission of Project Avary.

Natasha Blakely, Training & Engagement Specialist at Project Avary, discusses breaking the cycle of incarceration's impact on children and families.

09/13/2025

Incarceration may have ended, but the journey is far from over. In this powerful episode, we continue the story of Jane—now joined by her son, Anthony, who has recently come home after years in prison. Together, they share what life has been like since his release, offering an honest look at the emotional, relational, and practical challenges of reentry. From rebuilding trust to finding a new normal, their journey sheds light on what families truly face after incarceration ends. Whether you have a loved one coming home or want to better understand the realities of life after prison, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

A mother and son, Jane and Anthony, share their story of life after incarceration, offering an honest look at the emotional and practical challenges of reentry.

09/07/2025

Prison forever changed Jane’s world when her son was arrested and sentenced. In Part 1 of this two-part podcast, we’re honored to share her powerful story. Jane is a devoted mother and fierce advocate for her incarcerated son, and instead of staying silent, she chose to speak out. She opens up about the emotional impact of her son’s incarceration, the struggles she’s faced, and the strength she’s found along the way. Her journey is one of resilience, love, and unwavering support—and it’s meant to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered. Whether you’re walking a similar path or want to better understand the effects of prison on families, this episode is for you.

A devoted mother and fierce advocate, Jane shares her powerful journey after her son's incarceration, raising awareness of how prison changes everything.

08/25/2025

02/17/2025

On Saturday I was honored to receive The Samuel Joseph Pastorello Humanitarian Award from Community Connect, recognizing the work I’m so passionate about. A huge congratulations to all of the incredible honorees —your dedication and impact are inspiring!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support me. Your encouragement and belief in the work we do mean the world. Together, we continue to uplift and support families impacted by incarceration. 💙

01/09/2025

If you're in Las Vegas on 1/25 and have youth - this is an event you'll want to attend. A movie followed by fun activities!

12/16/2024

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the PFA Open House on December 7th! From office tours to the Las Vegas Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony to the engaging youth activities, light bites, and sweets, it was a day filled with connection, celebration, and community spirit.

We loved sharing more about PFA’s (Prison Families Alliance) mission to support families navigating the challenges of having a loved one in the carceral system.

Your presence and support mean so much as we continue to grow and serve families in need. Together, we’re making a difference!

🌟 Stay tuned for upcoming events and programs, and as always, thank you for being part of and supporting the PFA family! 💛

10/23/2024

We are excited to announce that PFA (Prison Families Alliance, Inc.) will be hosting a special Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and we’d love for you to join us!
Save the Date:
When: December 7, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (LV Chamber Ribbon Cutting at 11:30 AM)
Where: 4800 Alpine Place, Suite 7, Las Vegas, NV (in the Foundation for Recovery building)
This event is free and open to the public, offering you the opportunity to explore the important work we do to support families and youth impacted by incarceration. You’ll have the chance to meet our dedicated staff, participate in fun youth activities, and learn about how our programs help families build resilience and maintain strong connections with their loved ones in the justice system.
We hope you’ll join us for a day filled with connections, light bites, sweets, and community-building!
Stay tuned for more details, and please mark your calendar. We look forward to seeing you there!

09/24/2024

As we support others we help ourselves and our communities. A good event to support and attend Tuesday, 9/24, 4-7pm. See you there!

Be a part of the solution to the issues most impacting our community! Join us on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Foundation for Recovery for free food, speakers, resources, and a special performance from country music artist Whey Jennings!

09/10/2024

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

We’re thrilled to announce an amazing opportunity to attend the Connecting for Justice International Conference virtually from September 18-20 for just $25, thanks to the generosity of a sponsor who wants to ensure that everyone can benefit from this impactful event.

The conference brings together family members, professionals, educators, legislators, law enforcement, and more, fostering a space where people can share, listen, and develop a deeper understanding of one another. Through empathy, communication, and collaboration, we can create the change our communities need.

Don’t miss out on these insightful presentations and the chance to be part of something truly meaningful! 💬✨

Register now and be part of the conversation!

Go to https://prisonersfamilyconference.org/the-conference/
Click on "Click Here to Register" button and enter code FACE24SPONSOR to attend the conference virtually for $25.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER   CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS Like most conferences, this one features dynamic knowledgeable speakers and provides opportunities to learn best practice approaches and exchange creative ideas, but it is so much more. It offers such amazing opportunities to network and receive and pr...

06/19/2024

Listen to the latest episode on the Prison The Hidden Sentence Podcast featuring Sheree Corniel, where she spoke passionately about the Real Talk program. 🎙️ She shared incredible insights on how this initiative is making a difference in the lives of our youth. 🌱

Sheree’s dedication to creating positive change is truly inspiring. If you haven't checked it out yet, make sure to give it a listen and learn how Real Talk is transforming lives one conversation at a time.

Sheree will also be presenting at the Connecting for Justice Conference! https://prisonersfamilyconference.org/the-conference💬✨



https://prisonthehiddensentence.com/podcasts/real-talk-with-sheree-corniel-empowering-tomorrows-leaders

Sheree Corniel discusses how to shape and empower today’s youth, especially those at risk, and transform them into tomorrow’s leaders.

04/26/2024

Prison Families Alliance (PFA) had a great presence at the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) conference this week at the Mirage in Las Vegas, sharing information about our support for families affected by incarceration. A big shoutout to our dedicated volunteers for championing PFA awareness among women law enforcement executives. Together, we're making strides in spreading awareness and building compassion. Thank you all for your support! 🌟👏👮‍♂️👮‍♀️