Destroying the New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration in America)

Join us this episode as we speak with John Gaskins of SPARC (Supporting Prisoners Acting for Radical Change) about Mass Incarceration and the Prison Industrial Complex in America. We will be deconstructing the Prison Industrial Complex and its connection to Capitalism and Institutional Racism and what we need to do to eliminate it from society. Mr. Gaskins helped form the group known as SPARC. John was born and raised in Richmond , VA. John and was incarcerated at the age of 17, where he would spend the next 14 years of his life. Throughout this period he would be held at many different prisons - in MD and VA. , Including VA's notorious - Red Onion State Prison and Wallens Ridge State Prison - both super maximum security. While in prison he became politicized. Joining the New African Black panther Party-Prison Chapter, and going on to become it's Minister of Information. John was released from prison during the summer of 2011. Since being released, he has been progressively active in the community and has spoken at various venues, and colleges, including Howard University and the University of Maryland.  His organization is in the process of drafting several social programs right now.