National Second Chance Month, observed in April, supports the safe and successful reentry of people who were formerly incarcerated back into their communities and society. Our country is in an era of mass incarceration, and StoryCorps is committed to preserving and amplifying the stories of those impacted by the justice system.

Join us in our mission by listening to and sharing the stories in this collection.


A Second Chance

While serving time for robbing a bank, Darius Clark Monroe decided to apologize to the people who were inside the bank on that day, including customer David Ned. Seventeen years later, they sat down to talk about what David’s forgiveness has meant to both of them.

This conversation was recorded through One Small Step — an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us, even those with whom we disagree.


Tyree Hicks and Jamel Massey

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"One of the greatest tools that I learned is that I have the ability to truly change someone’s life."
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Jamel Massey and Tyree Hicks met at the Institute for Transformative Mentoring at The New School. They were both first arrested when they were teenagers, and they now mentor people from their own neighborhoods, including those who were formerly incarcerated. While serving a sentence for manslaughter, Jamel met a mentor who he credits with helping change the direction of his life.

Jamel and Tyree’s conversation was recorded through the StoryCorps Justice Project, which preserves and amplifies the stories of people who have been directly impacted by mass incarceration.


Jayne Fuentes and Luis Fuentes

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"I live paycheck to paycheck. And if I don’t pay my fines, then I go to jail."
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Jayne Fuentes has been working to rebuild her life after spending more than 15 years in and out of jail on drug and theft charges. After her last jail sentence ended in 2013, she found that she owed tens of thousands of dollars in court fines and fees. At StoryCorps in Richland, Washington, she sat down with her son, Luis, to talk about the impact of these fines on both of their lives.

Jayne and Luis’s conversation was recorded through the StoryCorps Justice Project, which preserves and amplifies the stories of people who have been directly impacted by mass incarceration.


Miguel Delgado and Jack Russell

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"When you don’t want to be somewhere, you embrace that, so you don’t go back there."
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While Jack Russell was growing up in New York City, he went in and out of foster care and spent time in jail and prison for attempted robbery. He came to StoryCorps with his friend Miguel Delgado to talk about his childhood and what led to his incarceration. Jack is now 29 years old and a stay-at-home dad.

Jack and Miguel’s conversation was recorded through the StoryCorps Justice Project, which preserves and amplifies the stories of people who have been directly impacted by mass incarceration. 


Asad Kerr-Giles and April Kerr

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“What were the first few days like in jail?”
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In 2012, Asad Kerr-Giles was a college-bound high school senior when he was wrongfully imprisoned. After going to a school fundraiser party, Asad heard gunshots. The next day, he was picked up by police and charged with the shooting. He spent the next 28 months on Rikers Island before being acquitted. At StoryCorps, he spoke with his mom April Kerr about his time in jail.

Asad and April’s conversation was recorded through the StoryCorps Justice Project, which preserves and amplifies the stories of people who have been directly impacted by mass incarceration.


Burying the Forgotten

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“I think they would want somebody to remember them.”
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New York City’s Hart Island is the final resting place for the unidentified, the penniless, and the forgotten. After being incarcerated for robbery, Casimiro “Cas” Torres was sent to Hart Island by the Department of Correction to work as a gravedigger. At StoryCorps, Cas reflects on the importance of honoring and memorializing these lives.

Originally aired July 16, 2021, on NPR’s Morning Edition.


Since 2003, StoryCorps has built an archive of the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered — and we want to add yours. Preserve your story for future generations by recording with us through StoryCorps Connect or The StoryCorps App.

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