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If you were to meet Ronald Carnes, you’d never suspect he’d spent nearly half his life as a fugitive from the law. In 1970, the Black Panthers sent Ronald to Winston Salem to volunteer in their breakfast program for underprivileged youth. But when compatriot, Richard Carter, held up a convenience store, Carnes was implicated by association and sentenced to 15 – 20 years in prison. Three years later, he escaped and spent the next 41 years on the lam. This is the story a gentleman and perhaps the successful fugitive in North Carolina’s history.

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.

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Sharif Brown has an older brother who’s cycled and out of prison most of his life and a cousin who struggles with the effects of spina bifida. That lived experience with loved ones fuels Sharif’s passion to help people with disabilities reintegrate back into society after prison. We learn about the reentry program he’s developed with the North Carolina Alliance for Disability Advocates and find out how NCADA has helped Robert Lewis become independent despite a delayed diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy that’s compromised his vision.

https://adanc.org

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.

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In Part Two of our series we meet two TROSA graduates, who have completed the two-year program treatment program. Dymont Spellman and Kristie Foy come from quite different backgrounds and found their way into addiction through different paths. Yet years later, when faced with the possibility of dying, they both chose to come to TROSA, where they discovered a community of people who'd beat their addiction and were now supporting others through their recovery.

We hear their stories and discover why Dymont and Kristie are so committed to the TROSA community. (TROSA stands for Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers.)

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.