Five women on stage speak to an audience. — From left: Dawn Jackson, Audrey Wilson, Nafeesah Goldsmith, Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks appear on stage at a live “Women and Crime” podcast event. (Photo: Reena Rose Sibayan)

Women Speak Up About Incarceration and Life on the Outside

November 13, 2025 — Three formerly incarcerated women joined criminology professors Meghan Sacks and Amy Shlosberg at their first live show for the “Women and Crime” podcast.

The event was held at the Dreyfuss Theater on Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham Campus on November 5.

Nafeesah Goldsmith, Audrey Wilson and Dawn Jackson spoke candidly and passionately about their experiences and growth — from the early days that shaped them to their incarceration and education at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility to “new entry” and life after release.

“A judge can sentence you to do time, but not to how you do time,” said Goldsmith.

While in prison, all three women pursued their education, completing certificates and degrees.

The women kept their heads down and eyes on the future as they served their time, all the while fighting for release.

Goldsmith transitioned to college life with support from the New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons (NJ-STEP) initiative. Following her release, she lived in a halfway house near Rutgers University. “I was so nervous to cross the street [to walk to class]. I had to regain my confidence to navigate things. At first, I had such imposter syndrome. As a 37-year-old student, it was a crash course into understanding that we live in a world of technology. I got involved with student government and that group of students took me under their wing.”

All three women now advocate for prison reform and educational opportunities.

Five women sit on stage talking. — At the “Women and Crime” live show, called “Women and Prison: Voices from Edna Mahan,” women who were formerly incarcerated at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, spoke about their lives. (Photo: Reena Rose Sibayan)

“We are individuals who made bad decisions and bad choices. Society wants to pigeonhole us as former offenders. It takes our dignity away,” said Wilson.

“It’s bigger than you,” added Goldsmith. “I don’t believe in being gentle when it comes to fighting for freedom. The lives of incarcerated women are worth saving. Their lives are worth living.”

Jackson, whose sentence was commuted in 2024, said that re-entry into society is a challenge. “I am beyond grateful to be home. My mentoring and advocacy continue. Do not give up. I have children, a husband, a family. And I’m worth it.”

They also spoke about forming bonds and friendships with fellow inmates, championing institutional change and confronting their traumas as they fielded questions from Sacks, Shlosberg and the audience.

“What gets you through when you have 10, 20, 30 years are the friendships,” says Wilson.

“We celebrated birthdays and baked cakes for the holidays. We became community support for one another,” says Goldsmith.

The Edna Mahan Correctional Facility is set to close in 2028, following investigations that uncovered systemic abuse and misconduct.

Goldsmith, Wilson and Jackson believe that prison reform, especially in redefining and transforming how corrections officers are trained to interact with prisoners, is crucial to creating safer conditions.

Despite the serious tenor of some of the conversation, the women shared laughter and camaraderie with one another, the hosts and the audience, even answering the all-important question: “what was your first meal after release?” Answers included pizza and a cheesesteak.

Sacks and Shlosberg launched “Women and Crime” following the success of their first podcast “Direct Appeal.” Both podcasts combine true crime and criminology, and “Women and Crime” covers one case, with either a female victim or perpetrator, per episode. Backed by their academic expertise, Sacks and Shlosberg explore the causes of crime, victimology, the legal system, and also celebrate the heroines who have left their mark on the criminal justice system. The podcasts are available everywhere.

two women sit in chairs and look at someone out of frame.

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‘Women and Crime’ Live at FDU