I Never Let the System Institutionalize Me

Jamie Phillips was incarcerated for 7 years at the Women’s Huron Valley correctional facility and was just recently released in June 2020. In this episode, Jamie and the hosts discuss Jamie’s work as a Peer Support Specialist as something that has defined her experience after coming home and is something that she prides herself on. Jamie’s goal is to make a difference in the recovery world and has acquired a passion for this work because she has close relationships with people who have a drug addiction and wants to be a part of helping those struggling similarly. Jamie also discusses her experiences as an LGBTQ woman and how this has impacted her experiences both inside prison as well as with her family. Since incarceration, Jamie has found her strength in God, utilizing her relationship with religion and God to get through some of her more challenging moments.

Important Quotes

“I was automatically judged by administration, scrutinized, sometimes even harassed, and one time I was removed from one of my call outs because my roommate and I had “too many call outs together” (in reference to her sexuality)
“Just because I was in a same sex relationship they automatically assumed that was happening when it wasn’t”
“It’s easier for women to do time because prison is less violent than the men’s facilities.”
“Shouldn't be punished for just being human”
“I never let the system institutionalize me”
“I didn’t let the prison system suck me up like it does a lot of people”
“It’s difficult to get a job in my field because of being in prison.”
When asked where Jamie gets her strength - “Definitely God - I turn to him for everything, that is definitely where I get my strength”

Resources

Important Topics/Discussion

Sexuality influenced experience incarcerated - scrutinized, sometimes even harassed for sexuality
- Jamie Feels prisons need to do a better job at training officers in LGBTQ issues
Jamie’s Father said her incarceration felt like it was all a dream and nothing happened but Jamie disagreed and discussed how harsh it was for her and the trust issues incarceration has caused her
She has been strongly encouraged to write a book about her journey that should be released - she has been working on it with her parents (this is her book reccomendation)

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I Never Let the System Institutionalize Me

Important Quotes

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