S1E5 | From Prison To Purpose

Transparency Talks (podcast) · March 5, 2026

Director Deborah Smith interviews author and speaker Damon West about his journey from a 2009 RICO conviction and life sentence to becoming a national speaker who now conducts trainings and donated programming for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). West described the "coffee bean" allegory, his time in state and (recently) federal facilities, his parole timeline, and his focus on investing in staff wellbeing and rehabilitation.

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