The 98% - Life After Prison · Judy Van Wyk & April Barber Scales

A Father & Son Speak from the Heart

·33 min·3 clips

A father released after 30 years reveals why he's having painful conversations with his son.

This episode features a raw conversation between Edward "Scott" Scott, recently released after nearly 30 years, and his adult son Terrell, who was two when his father was incarcerated. Hosts April Barber-Scales and Judy Van Wyk present this dialogue to highlight the challenges of reconnection for formerly incarcerated people. The discussion centers on the long-term familial impact of imprisonment from both a father's and a son's perspective. Scott left behind five children, all under six years old, when he entered prison. Terrell, now a school teacher in Chandler, Arizona, describes his childhood understanding of his father's absence. He recalls specific moments, like seeing his mother cry while writing letters, that framed his early awareness. Scott explains his current motivation is to have uncomfortable conversations to become a better man and grandfather. He directly asks Terrell about the anger and resentment he assumes his son carried. Terrell speaks about the difficulty of visiting prison as a child and the emotional complexity of those encounters. A key insight is Terrell's description of mourning the loss of a father he never actually knew. Scott reveals his own pain in missing first steps, first words, and first days of school. Terrell explains that his mother's strength and his own journey into fatherhood were pivotal in processing his feelings. The conversation underscores that lost time is irreplaceable, despite a parent's desire to make amends. Scott's intention in recording this talk is to model this difficult dialogue for others still incarcerated. The tone is intensely personal, vulnerable, and emotionally charged, unfolding as a private conversation made public. The style is purely narrative, driven by direct questions and heartfelt, unscripted responses. This episode is essential for anyone interested in restorative justice, family dynamics, and the human stories behind incarceration statistics. Listeners seeking light entertainment or detached analysis might find the raw emotional content challenging.

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