Criminal Justice Reform Archives

After 20 Years in Prison, Felon Focuses on Ending Recidivism

Posted on October 12, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons Leave a comment

Today on Felony Friday Ken Bright joins John to talk about his journey from prisoner to prison reformer. Kenneth spent 20 years incarcerated. Since he’s been out he’s worked on Wall Street trading stock and is the founder and President of the Life Progressive Services Group. Which is a “reentry, transitional and advocacy group” of formerly incarcerated men and women who have been educated and chose to make a difference in the lives of those who are living where they have

Rap Community on Trial – The Weldon Angelos Story

Posted on August 31, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, War on Drugs Leave a comment

Today on Felony Friday Weldon Angelos joins John to share his incredible story! In the 90s Weldon launched a successful music career that brought him nationwide recognition. He founded the rap label Extravagant Records and was considered an “up and coming” entrepreneur in the industry. He wrote and produced songs with many acclaimed artists, including Snoop Dogg. Then in May and June 2002, Salt Lake City police set up a series of controlled marijuana buys from Weldon. All told a

The Journey from Despondent Addict to Successful Business Owner

Posted on August 10, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Addiction, Criminal Justice Reform, Entrepreneurship, Felons, War on Drugs Leave a comment

On today’s episode of Felony Friday Keith Bauer joins host John Odermatt to share how he overcame his struggles with addiction and incarceration to eventually become a successful business owner. Keith was born in Florida. He started using drugs at a young age and was first arrested at the age of 15 for drug possession. He moved around a lot over the years and moved in and out of jail and rehab. Today, Keith has been sober for almost 5

Developing the BluePrint for Addiction Recovery with Chris Dreisbach

Posted on July 27, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Entrepreneurship, Felons Leave a comment

Today on Felony Friday Chris Dreisbach joins host John Odermatt to share about his addiction recovery and how he broke free from the prison system. Chris is the CEO of BluePrints for addiction recovery. He is the founder of multiple successful businesses. Chis is a Libertarian who is actively fighting to end to the failed War on Drug and create avenues for addicts to find help, instead of being inhumanely locked away in a cage. Blueprints for Addiction Recovery Find

Changing Your Game Plan with Randy Kearse

Posted on July 20, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Entrepreneurship, Felons, War on Drugs Leave a comment

On today’s episode Randy Kearse joins Felony Friday host John Odermatt. Randy is the founder and CEO of Reentry Strategies (RES) and the author of Changin’ Your Game Plan: How I used incarceration as a stepping stone for SUCCESS. The concept for RES was created while he was serving a 15-year sentence in federal prison for a nonviolent drug offense. While serving his sentence Randy had a growing desire to live and experience a better quality of life, which he

Hey Kim Kardashian and Trump: There are a Lot More Prisoners Who Deserve Clemency

Posted on June 8, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons Leave a comment

Today on Felony Friday we have two incredible guests. They are both making their 2nd appearance on Felony Friday. I wanted to bring these two on back on the show to shine a light on many of the non-violent offenders who are still incarcerated. Now, this episode was recorded before President Trump commuted the sentence of Alice Johnson. During this show, Alice was identified as an individual worthy of clemency. Thankfully, with a final push by Kim Kardashian and the

NJ Cop Repeatedly Hits Unarmed 20-Year-Old Girl in the Head

Posted on June 1, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Liberty & Law, Police Violence Leave a comment

On today’s episode of Felony Friday fellow Lions of Liberty contributor J.B. Lubin joins host John Odermatt to discuss some trending police and criminal justice news stories. Topics discussed on the show are linked below! Relevant topics: Cop Punches Girl’s Head Repeatedly In Front of Her Family Over Unopened Cans of Beer (Full video below) Man arrested for keeping 1,500 tires in Richmond yard EXCLUSIVE: Richmond man races to clean up tires moments before he’s due in court Florida teacher explains

The Previously Incarcerated hold the Answers to Fixing the Prison System

Posted on May 25, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, Liberty & Law Leave a comment

On today’s episode of Felony Friday, Mishelle O’shasky joins host John Odermatt to discuss her shocking experiences in the criminal justice system. Mishelle spent over twenty-two years tied up in the system in some form or fashion. Not until her third incarceration was she able to successfully reintegrate into the community. Peer support and access to services was a major component to her success. Since 2010, Mishelle has worked with individuals who suffer from mental illness and substance use. Mishelle has been a

Adam Kokesh: Libertarian, Felon and Candidate for Not-President

Posted on April 27, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, Politics, War on Drugs Leave a comment

Today’s guest needs no introduction, but he’ll get one anyway. Adam Kokesh joins Felony Friday host John Odermatt to talk about his past run-ins with the law and his unique campaign for President, which if elected he will execute a peaceful dissolution of the federal government. Adam joined the Marines at age 17 and saw war first hand while serving during the Iraq War. In 2007 he joined Iraq Veterans Against the War and in 2008 he founded Veterans for Ron Paul.

Why Conservatives Should Care about Criminal Justice Reform

Posted on April 13, 2018 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons 1 Comment

On today’s show Felony Friday host John Odermatt is joined by John Koufos. John holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, as well as a law degree from the Fordham University School of Law. John served on the Governor Chris Christie’s Opiate Task Force, and built the New Jersey Reentry Corporation. After designing the program, John was named Executive Director and worked with the Christie Administration and five former Governors to implement effective evidence-based reentry services.