The Church & Prison Reform

The church is where those in bondage come to be set free, but how do we respond to those who were incarcerated? Are we helping them or hindering them? Today's guest, Shawanna Vaughn helps us answer these questions and more. 

Shawanna Erena Vaughn is a native of Bakersfield, CA. and the founder and Director of Silent Cry Inc. Silent Cry Inc. is the product of the tears she shed while overcoming the pain and hardships of incarceration, losing a brother to gang initiation, and surviving cancer. She has turned the tragedy into healing. Through her healing process, Shawanna found her voice and now amplifies it for the justice of people, communities, and shattered hearts. She is the true meaning of strength, courage, and determination.

Shawanna has worked with Columbia Business School in simulations, and with reform, and criminal justice issues. She is a member of the Confined Arts Project and Peace and Justice studies. She began her studies at Columbia University in May 2019. Education over adversity is a model she believes in and advocates for young people.

Shawanna's greatest accomplishment is being the mother of two beautiful children, who's passions are spoken word, Civic engagement, visual arts, and literature.

Her motto is, Triumphantly, I march through the battles with optimistic lenses because "I am Shawanna Erena Vaughn, and I will continue the fight to answer Silent Cry's."

Interview Highlights

* Shawanna shares her testimony of being incarcerated to starting Silent Cry Inc. Timestamp 4:40

* “My testimony begins April 15, 1978. I was born incarcerated and 17 years later I became incarcerated.” - Shawanna Vaughn

* "I wasn't picked out to be picked on." - Shawanna Vaughn

* Shawanna shares her thoughts about prison ministry and how we can make it more effective. Timestamp 7:10

* “The church could be the vessel to stop mass incarceration, but it has to stand up and do it’s part.” – Shawanna Vaughn

* Shawanna shares stereotypes about people who are incarcerated. Timestamp 16:00

* “I’m formally W76637, but when I go to church I want to be Shawanna.” – Shawanna Vaughn

* Shawanna shares why prison reform is so important and her legislation, Post Traumatic Prison Disorder, Shawanna W76637." Timestamp 19:42 

“Prison is not rehabilitative. It is the most vile, dangerous, mentally unstable place on the planet Earth.” – Shawanna Vaughn

* Shawanna shares some of the specifics her legislation is asking for. Timestamp 22:59

* “One size doesn’t fit all for mental health."– Shawanna Vaughn

* Shawanna shares how we can support this important legislation. Timestamp 26:40

Relevant Links & Resources

* Connect with Shawanna on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, https://silentcryinc.org/, and [email protected].

* Follow We Are The Church with Sherry Jones on Instagram & Twitter.

* Click here to learn more about Sherry, her books, and to connect with her on social media.

* Send your feedback regarding today's episode, topic suggestions, and guest requests to [email protected].

Take care, be blessed, be safe, and remember the church is not a building. We are the church!