The Fancy Broccoli Show

Latest Interview

2008-07-24T14:45:00.002-04:00

The latest interview is with John "Mojo" Flynn, who talks about his transition from prison and his current work with Restored Hope Services, Inc. Here is the interview with John "Mojo" Flynn. Here are some recently posted older things.

Current Schedule & Recent Shows

2008-07-07T11:28:00.002-04:00

OK, I'm back in the groove. The latest schedule and the two most recent shows are posted on the Listen page. Does anyone look at the schedule? Does anyone listen to the shows that I post? Let me know - it will encourage me to keep up with the web site.

-- Your loving, yet weary, web-attendant, DJ Julie

"Be the Change" on WVKR

2008-06-14T13:35:00.003-04:00

"Be the change that you want to see in the world." -- Gandhi

Julie & Amy, along with new host Shoko, have a new show on WVKR, on Wednesdays from 5-6 pm. It's a call-in show named "Be the Change." We have a topic each show, and discuss that topic in terms of what people are doing in their lives right now to be the change that they want to see in the world. Your job is to phone in at 845-437-7178 and tell us what you, or someone you know, is doing. You can also email us at action AT bethechangeradio DOT org with suggestions for topics.

I've got the beginnings of a web page up at http://www.bethechangeradio.org - you can listen to the recent shows on the archives page there.

Schedule Update

2008-04-05T21:36:00.001-04:00

Here's the latest interview schedule for the show.

Interview with Brian Fischer, Commissioner of DOCS

2008-03-26T21:35:00.003-04:00

You can listen to the interview with Brian Fischer, the commissioner of the New York State Department of Correctional Services (DOCS), that I conducted on 16 March 2008.

Interview with prison art expert Phyllis Kornfeld

2008-03-24T13:59:00.002-04:00

You can listen to the interview with Phyllis Kornfeld that I conducted on March 2, 2008. Phyllis is an internationally known expert on prison art, and has conducted art classes in prisons and jails for over 20 years.

Guest for April 6th Show

2008-03-12T17:10:00.001-04:00

Our guest on April 6th will be Linda Hoffman, a volunteer at a medium security prison in Massachusetts. She leads a writing class there, and will be reading to us from the works of her students.

Get the Fancy Broccoli Show interviews by podcast

2008-02-01T19:47:00.000-05:00

You can automatically receive the latest interviews and letters segments for the Fancy Broccoli Show by subscribing to the podcast: enter this URL into your podcatcher (iTunes or any other) "http://feeds.feedburner.com/fancybroccoli" or click on this link.

Interview with attorney Cheryl Kates

2008-02-01T19:43:00.001-05:00

On January 20th I conducted an interview with Cheryl Kates, an attorney who specializes in parole appeals.

Guest for Feb.3

2008-01-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

Our guests this week are Katie Blackburn and Jonathan Gradess from the New York Defenders Association, a not-for-profit, membership organization, that has been providing support to New York's criminal defense community since 1967. Its mission is to improve the quality and scope of publicly supported legal representation to low income people.

Interview with Robert Dennison, former chair of the NYS Division of Parole

2008-01-21T10:20:00.001-05:00

You can listen to the interview I conducted with Robert Dennison on January 6th.

12/16 Show Cancelled Due to Bad Weather

2007-12-16T15:35:00.000-05:00

Sorry everybody - I live an hour north or Poughkeepsie and we've had snow and sleet all day today. The roads are a mess. We'll have to reschedule Robert Dennison. See you in January!

Guest for Dec. 16th

2007-11-05T22:31:00.000-05:00

Former NYS Parole Chairman Robert Dennison will be with us on this show. He will be talking to us about his experience in that capacity as well as his current efforts to change some of the conditions of parole currently being imposed on people in NY.

Guest for December 9th

2007-11-05T22:27:00.000-05:00

Peter Wagner is the guest for this show. With a campaign to change the way the census is currently conducted, Peter will show you convincingly how using his proposed method will create a fairer system of counting the citizens of our state.

Guest for November 25th

2007-11-05T22:25:00.000-05:00

John Cutro is our guest for today. John is an authority on Restorative Justice and a proponant of the theory of Parallel Justice, the practice of obtaining justice for both the victim and the offender.

Guest for November 11, 2007

2007-11-05T22:23:00.000-05:00

Our guest today is Santito, a formerly incarcerated man that has entered society successfully after spending two decades in prison. Hear his story and feel inspired.

First Annual Citizens Awards

2007-10-02T20:00:00.000-04:00

Citizens Against Recidivism Inc.'s
First Annual Citizens Award

A night to celebrate the success of formerly incarcerated people

Thursday October 18th
Doors Open at 6pm

Schomburg Cultural Center
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
New York NY 10037

For more information:
CitizensInc.org
718-670-3784

Guests for September 30th

2007-09-28T14:20:00.000-04:00

Our guests for this Sunday will be Kirk James and Dwight Stephenson of the College Initiative Program of Lehman College in the Bronx. The College Initiative Program, founded by Benay Rubenstein, provides assistance to formerly incarcerated people making a transition from prison to college.

Family Empowerment Day 3

2007-09-20T19:28:00.000-04:00

The third annual Family Empowerment Day, an event started by the Otisville Lifer's Organization, is actually three days this year:

Saturday, October 20, 2007
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Columbia Law School, 435 West 116th St. (and Amsterdam), Manhattan

Saturday, November 3, 2007
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Cold Spring Church of God in Christ, 107 Verplanck St., Buffalo NY

Saturday December 1, 2007
Albany NY - time and location to be announced soon.

More information available at the September 2007 entry of the Prison Action Network blog, or call 518-364-3088 or email prisonaction@hotmail.com

New audio and transcripts

2007-08-15T19:27:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm catching up somewhat with my backlog. I've posted the audio from the most recent show (interview with Felix Rosa, executive director of Parole) and from two older shows (story-teller Karima Amin and associate director of Crime Victim's Assistance Program Whitney Bonura), and also the transcript of the symposium on "Restoring Fairness to Parole" with a presentation by former Parole commissioner Vernon Manley.

Click on "Listen" or "Archives" to find the links.

Guest for August 5th

2007-08-05T20:19:00.001-04:00

Our guest today is Executive Director of the Division of Parole,Felix Rosa. Felix has been working in parole for twenty years,coming up through the ranks having started as a parole officer. Mr. Rosa will share his departments resposibilities and plans for the future with us.

Our Guest for September16th

2007-07-17T22:24:00.000-04:00

Our guest for this show will be Ron Hayes. Ron is a very, very busy speaker, lecturer, teacher, counselor etc. We are fortunate to have him on as a guest.

A Brief Biography of

Ronald Wood Hayes, LPC, MHS, CADC , ICADC, CAC, CJC, CSW

Mr. Ronald Wood Hayes is a resident of New Brunswick, NJ. He was born in Lexington, VA to parents Dr. John H. Hayes, Jr. and Nannie Marie Wood. The Hayes Family relocated to Asbury Park, NJ once Dr. Hayes (deceased) completed Howard University School of Dentistry. His mother (deceased) was a graduate of Virginia Union University. He has one brother, Dr. John H. Hayes III, a pediatrician, practicing in Severna Park, MD, also graduated from Howard University.
Mr. Hayes earned his Master of Human Services (MHS) degree at Lincoln University, PA. He attended the Urban Graduate Campus in Philadelphia. He graduated with honors and was inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society In Social Science Alpha Lambda Graduate Chapter. His certifications include Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) [retired], International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), Criminal Justice Counselor (CJC) and Certified Addiction Counselor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He holds clinical licenses as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, mental health licenses, and a general license as a Certified Social Worker (CSW) in New Jersey. Mr. Hayes is Ph.D. Learner in Addiction Psychology at Capella University (MN). He begins his dissertation in September 2007.
Mr. Hayes is the former-Executive Director of The Open Door, Inc., an Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Program, in New Brunswick, NJ. He is in private clinical practice as a psychotherapist, independent clinical consultant and is an approved addiction certification instructor by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey, Inc. (APCBNJ, Inc.). His contracts include being an Adjunct Instructor at the Organization For Recovery (OFR), Plainfield, NJ and Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth, NJ.. These contracts are under the aegis of his company, Second Wind Psychotherapy and Training Group, Inc.
As of June 2007 he has been teaching as an Adjunct Professor at Lincoln University’s Urban Graduate Campus in Philadelphia, instructing post-graduate clinical courses in psychological assessment and psychopathology that are designed to augment the Master of Human Services degree for the clinical discipline of Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Mr. Hayes is an ex-convict. He served 15 years – in increments -- in the New Jersey prison system for various and sundry criminal offense that were all related to supporting his 33 year substance abuse history and heroin addiction. The last sentence was for armed robbery for which he was given 20-25 years. He was paroled on October 29, 1985. On August 14, 1989 he surrendered to his reality and has been abstinent, recovering, and in the process of reconstructing his life. He is 18 years drug- and alcohol-free. He has not smoked a cigarette in 17 years.

The Guest for August 19th Show

2007-07-17T22:20:00.000-04:00

This week our guest is Vernon Manley, a former parole commissioner that recently resigned. Mr. Manley has been quite open to demystifying the whole parole process.

Our Guest for August 5th

2007-07-17T22:19:00.001-04:00

As of now, our guest for this show is uncomfirmed! Will keep you posted.

Our Guest for July 1st

2007-06-28T20:08:00.000-04:00

This show will be with Roland Acevedo, a formerly incarcerated man that has since been admitted to the New York Bar. Hear his personal story and learn some more about legal issues that are related to incarcerated men and women during this interview.

Request for feedback

2007-06-20T10:48:00.000-04:00

The Fancy Broccoli Show has been on the air for 10 years. You know us, in that unique radio way, but we don't know you. And we're curious! How long have you been listening? What do you like about the show? What engages you, interests you, delights you, offends you? Please leave a comment here, or email us at "info at fancybroccoli dot org".

This Sunday, June 17th

2007-06-15T06:07:00.000-04:00

This week our guests will be two women with the Forensic Services Department at Family Services in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Bonnie Allen is a facilitator of the Today Program in the Dutchess County Jail and Pam Wright is the Associate Director of the department.

Guest for July 15th

2007-06-11T05:56:00.000-04:00

Our guest today is Merv Otero. Merv was incarcerated as a teenager for taking the life of another young man.
He used his 22 years of incarceration to educate himself, give back to others, and to create much needed programs.
Today, he works in social services helping the youth, the incarcerated, and those infected with HIV.

George Oliveras interview

2007-06-05T11:20:00.000-04:00

George was interviewed by Capital News 9 about life on parole. The article is here. Be sure to watch the video!

Guest for June 3rd

2007-05-20T20:59:00.000-04:00

Our guest today is Mary Beth Pfeiffer, author of the newly released book "Crazy in America," the hidden tragedy of our criminalized mentally ill. Mary Beth is an award winning journalist that has done several feature articles on conditions in prisons and treatment of those held there.

Show topic for May 6th

2007-03-29T21:10:00.000-04:00

We will be playing the tapes from the February symposium at the NYC Bar Association, "Restoring Fairness to Parole". Former Commissioner Vernon Manley made some very revealing statements about the time he served on the parole board.

Guest for April 22nd

2007-03-29T21:08:00.000-04:00

Bill Taylor works for Dutchess County Boces. As our guest, Bill will be discussing the highs and lows of helping formerly incarcerated people find employment.

Guest for April 8th

2007-03-29T21:05:00.000-04:00

Our guest for today is Joshua Price. Joshua teaches at SUNY Binghamton and, among other things, is trying to establish a drop in center for formerly incarcerated people in the city of Binghamton.

Guest for April 1st

2007-03-29T21:01:00.000-04:00

This is Victim Awarenes Month. We will be interviewing the director of a local victim services organization.

Guest for March 11

2007-02-22T18:56:00.000-05:00

Join us today for a conversation with the formerly incarcerated, Brendan Cochrane. Brendan has been a regular contributor to the show and is now living in the free world!

Guest for Feb.25

2007-02-22T18:37:00.000-05:00

This Sunday our guest is a woman married to a man with many years behind bars. He was on parole but now has ended up back in prison. Listen to her tell of the obstacles for people on parole and their families.

The December 17th Show

2006-11-19T07:14:00.000-05:00

This show we will be broadcasting the keynote speeches from the Family Empowerment Day 2. We will have commentary from folks that attended that event.

Citizens for Restorative Justice

2006-11-19T07:10:00.000-05:00

The meetings of Citizens for Restorative Justice will be held immediately preceeding the support group meetings of PFNY, at 6PM on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. We will meet at 6pm in room 306 of The Family Partnership, 29 North Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie, NY.

New location for Prison Families of New York support group

2006-11-19T07:04:00.000-05:00

The meetings of the PFNY support group have a new location. The second and fourth Monday of the month at 7PM is when we meet. We are still at Family Partnership, 29 North Hamilton St., in Poughkeepsi, but in a new room. We now meet in the main building, room 306. Anyone connected with the prison system that wants a safe enviornment to share their experience, is welcome to attend.

Guest for the December 3 show

2006-11-01T21:59:00.000-05:00

Attorneys Peter Sell and Robert Isseks will be discussing their class action law suit. The law suit is claiming that persons with an A1 felony conviction, serving life, are being discriminated against at their parole hearings.

The Guest for November 12

2006-11-01T21:51:00.000-05:00

Our guest this week is Nicole, a formerly incarcerated woman that is married to man serving a life sentence in a NY prison.

Guest for October 29th.

2006-10-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

Our guest is Carlos, a recently released man that is currently acting as a point person for RIPPD(Rights for Imprisoned People with Disabilities). RIPPD is the mental health project of The Urban Jusice Center.

Guests for Oct. 22, 2006

2006-10-22T10:56:00.000-04:00

The guests for this show will be two of the candidates running for assemblyperson of the 102nd assembly district. Joel Tyner is running as a Democrate and Helen Westover is running as a Conservative. Both are challanging the Republican incumbant Joel Miller, who declined our invitation to participate in the show today.

Guest for the September 17th

2006-08-22T19:39:00.000-04:00

The guests today will be "Jane and John Doe", not their real names. John has been out of prison for just a few months. He and his wife are going to share some of the highs and lows of trying to make it out here with all of the baggage that comes with being a person convicted of a felony, newly released from prison and being on parole in NY.

Guest for the show on Sept. 3rd

2006-08-22T19:36:00.000-04:00

Our guest today will be George. Out of prison and on parole for over four years now, George will share some of his experiences in his transition from prison to "home". Although he is in the studio every week for the show, this will be one of the few times he has actually gotten on the air!

Topic for July 23rd Show

2006-07-20T10:32:00.000-04:00

On July 23rd we'd like letters and phone calls on the topic of volunteering in the prison system vs. having personal contact with individual incarcerated people. In the New York State prison system, one has to choose between being a volunteer or visiting & corresponding with one or more incarcerated people. As a volunteer, say going inside to facilitate a group, one helps many people. As a visitor or correspondent with one or more incarcerated people, one maintains important personal connections. How does one choose? What are the pros & cons? Let us know your thoughts.

A Call for Your Personal Story

2006-07-17T21:04:00.000-04:00

Michael Silverstein from the New York City Bar is looking to put together a portfolio of cases that show a pattern of people being unfairly treated by the Rockefeller drug laws; cases that highlight the injustice of its extreme sentences that are unhelped by existing reforms. If you could describe any cases that you know of, or could point him in the direction of people who may be abe to help further, please let him know.

Please write to him at:

Michael Silverstein
42 W. 44th St.
Third Floor
New York, NY 10036

Guest for May 7

2006-04-23T22:17:00.001-04:00

Joel Tyner, local politician and radio host on WVKR, will be joining us to discuss how local politics translates into influencing policy on not just a local level, but actually translates into state, national and international changes.

Guest for June 4

2006-04-23T22:17:00.000-04:00

A nurse in corrections for over 25 years will be joining us to discuss ways the people inside can be proactive in their health care while serving time.

The Bard Prison Initiative presents Eddie Ellis

2006-04-04T16:26:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, April 11 7 pm
Bard Campus Center multipurpose room

Eddie Ellis was released from prison in 1992 after serving 25 years. During his incarceration he witnessed the uprising in Attica in 1972, saw the establishment of the first college-in-prison programs, and was recognized statewide as a leader and representative of the incarcerated from within New York’s prisons.

Since his release Ellis has become a world renowned speaker and advocate for criminal justice reform. He founded and chairs the NuLeadership Policy Group, a think tank made up of people who were formerly or are currently incarcerated and has worked as a consultant for the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus, the Open Society Institute, and the National Criminal Justice Commission. Currently, he produces and hosts the radio program “On the Count” which is broadcast weekly in New York City on WBAI.

During his visit to campus Ellis will discuss his current work and survey the major problems with and efforts to reform criminal justice systems in America.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information email bpi@bard.edu or phone 845-758-7308

Guest for April 16th Show

2006-03-08T20:31:00.000-05:00

Today's guest is the Director of the Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Reentry and Employment(ICARE), Rima Vesely-Fled. Go to www.nyicare.org to learn what ICARE is involved in.

Guest for April 2nd Show

2006-03-08T20:26:00.000-05:00

On April 2nd our guest will be Sarah From. Formerly a participant in the Vassar/Greenhaven program, Sarah is now working with the Women's Prison Association. More information on what this organization does can be found at http://www.wpaonline.org/.

"Grandpa" Al Lewis

2006-02-21T12:30:00.000-05:00

"Grandpa" Al Lewis died on 3 February 2006. Lewis, best known for his role as Grandpa on the television show The Munsters, was a life-long activist, publicly supporting any and every cause that he believed in: the Black Panthers, Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Green Party, anti-war rallies and more. Hear an interview with him on Democracy Now!. See the Official Al Lewis Home Page.

Guest for March 19, 2006

2006-02-07T21:44:00.000-05:00

Rob Martin, a formerly incarcerated man will be our guest for this show. Rob is a long time AVP Facilitator and currently works with at risk youth.

Guest for March 12, 2006

2006-02-07T21:40:00.000-05:00

On March 12, our guest will be Debbie, the mother of an incarcerated man serving 20 to life. She is also the co-founder of Citizens for Resorative Justice.

Topic for 5 Feb show - What is Normal?

2006-02-01T14:16:00.000-05:00

On the Feb 5 Fancy Broccoli Show we'll be taking phone calls and reading letters on the topic of What is Normal?. Phone and write in with your thoughts on the definition of normal as it relates to your life on either side of the bars. Is your behavior normal? Your appearance? According to what scale or whose opinon?

Interview Guests for Feb. 5, 2006

2006-01-27T20:46:00.000-05:00

The guests for the next show will be Dr. Divine Pryor and Eddie Ellis, both of The NuLeadership Policy Group. The NLPG is the first public policy group comprised exclusively of formerly incarcerated persons.

Ongoing Events

2006-01-18T20:09:00.000-05:00

On the first Thursday of every month there is a meeting of Citizens for Restorative Justice. The meetings are held at The Family Partnership, 29 North Hamilton Street, in Poughkeepsie. Meeting time is 6:30 PM and runs until 8 or 8:30. Anyone interested in working on the political aspects of incarceration and post release supervision is invited to attend.

Interview for 22 January 2006

2006-01-18T20:02:00.000-05:00

The guest for the show this coming Sunday, January 22, is Vinny, a man that spent 30 years behind bars and has just recently been paroled. He will share with us experiences from that time behind bars and what life is like for him now that he is on the outside.

Topic for Jan 22 show

2006-01-10T10:02:00.000-05:00

On the Jan 22 Fancy Broccoli Show we'll be taking phone calls and reading letters on the topic of Time Behind Bars. Phone and write in with your thoughts on the passage of time as you perceive it during your prison term or that of a loved one. What does a 15 year sentence feel like in the first year? Or in the 10th year? How does time move while you're living out a two-year hit from the the parole board?

Ongoing meetings

2005-12-12T21:29:00.000-05:00

On the second and fourth Monday of every month there is a support group for the family members of people in prison, people formerly incarcerated and anyone who is connected to prison.

The meeting is held at The Family Partnership Center, 29 North Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie, NY, from 7 'till 8:30 PM.

Lateef Islam Memorial Show

2005-12-12T12:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had a sore throat & stuffed head, so Lady D stepped up to the board and hosted an interesting and moving show, taking phone calls and reading letters and emails about the late Lateef Islam, a pillar of the Poughkeepsie community. Here's what Larry Mamiya, professor of Religion and Africana Studies and Faculty Coordinator of the Vassar Prison Programs said about Lateef:

Lateef Islam was a giant of a man, not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. He literally dominated the area of community activism in Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County. After dropping out of school and being arrested under the Rockefeller Drug Laws, Lateef spent 11 years in prison mostly at Green Haven. While at Green Haven he completed a GED, an Associates from Dutchess Community College, and a B.A. from Marist College. During his imprisonment, he met some of the leading members of the "Think Tank" such as Eddie Ellis and Larry White who helped to pioneer major reform programs in New York State prisons. Lateef took to heart the "Non-Traditional Approach" of the Think Tank that emphasized how oppressed, incarcerated men can help and empower each other. He brought that philosophy to his work with young people in the Poughkeepsie community upon his release. "Each one teach one," he loved to say. Lateef never forgot those who were in prison; he often went back to speak to the men and encouraged them to get an education. I recall meeting Lateef at many community events, including the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March in the city's streets. When his health did not permit him to march, he followed in his car. He was generous with his time and often spoke to the Vassar students workng in prisons. We will all miss his physcial presence but we know that he is with us in spirit.

About the Fancy Broccoli Show

2005-12-05T17:15:00.000-05:00

The Fancy Broccoli Show airs on WVKR, 91.3FM, Poughkeepsie NY on somewhat alternate Sundays from 3 - 6 pm, Eastern Time.

The Fancy Broccoli Show is three hours of (loosely defined) jazz from all periods, and discussion of prison issues. In the music part of the show I emphasize vocals and standards. You'll hear plenty of Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Etta Jones, Etta James, John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, ... and also new releases, occasional poetry and Dr. Seuss. Around 3:30 I conduct an interview with someone connected to prison. Around 5:00 I read my mail which mostly comes from prisoners in the listening area. I have received mail from Green Haven, Fishkill, Mid-Orange, Wallkill, Shawangunk, Otisville...

You can write to The Fancy Broccoli Show, WVKR, Box 726 Vassar College, Poughkeepsie NY 12604-0726 or email me at info@fancybroccoli.org. Let me know whether you would like your correspondence read over the air, whether I can say your first or full name or where you are from, and whether you would like your correspondence posted on this web site. I will respect your wishes to the best of my ability.