Skip to Content

How does it feel to be known as a “felon” forever?

Listen to Episode 6 of Almost There with guest Robert Stewart: How does it feel to be known as a “felon” forever?

Robert Stewart defended his doctoral dissertation almost 11 years to the day after he walked out of prison. Today, as a sociological criminologist at the University of Maryland, he researches the experiences and beliefs of people who have also been through the criminal legal system. Asking important questions about civic inclusion, Robert has researched the startling impact of criminal records on college admissions, and today is working to understand the political beliefs of the 4.6 million Americans who are barred from voting due to a felony conviction. “We have to rethink the labels that we apply to people,” Rob says. “We have to rethink how we reduce people from infinitely complex human beings with views and experiences and likes and dislikes to that one event that happened in their life.”

In this conversation, Dwayne and Rob talk about their own experiences with the prison system; what it feels like to carry the label of “felon” through life; and what we sacrifice as a society when we punish people by taking away their right to vote. 

Learn more about Rob Stewart

Download Episode Transcript


Email us at almostthere@emersoncollective.com

Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Related Articles

    • Almost There Podcast

      191 min Listen

      Listen
    • Almost There - Episode 4

      33 min Listen

      Listen
    • Almost There - Episode 5

      34 min Listen

      Listen

    Interests

    EC Fellowship Monthly Digest

    The latest in Fellowship news.

    Get the latest