Ollie Lewis Podcast

Author: Ollie Lewis

A podcast for the endlessly curious. Exploring big questions in casual conversation. Think Deeper. Live Better. Join the journey
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en-us

Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Self-Improvement

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

#31 - Inside the Hidden World of Prison: Moms Fighting for Change
Tuesday, 23 December, 2025

What happens when mental illness and the justice system collide with a family's future? Marge Jestin and Farhat Rehman of MOMS Ottawa pull back the curtain on the hidden reality of navigating Canadian prisons. From the overcrowding of remand to the stark contrast between a minimum-security path and a life sentence in maximum security, they share their sons' challenging journeys through a system that often "warehouses" people instead of healing them. This conversation highlights the power of a network of 160+ women replacing stigma with radical acceptance. It explores the remand crisis and the systemic conditions that degrade mental health, and why the system often prioritizes punitive isolation over therapeutic care.This is a story of resilience for anyone who has felt the weight of stigma. It is a testament to the power of mothers who refuse to give up on their children, moving mountains - one teaspoon at a time.If you are a woman navigating the criminal justice system with a loved one, connect with MOMS at: https://www.momsottawa.com/ Recorded on December 11, 2025TIME STAMPS(0:00) - Coming Up (0:58) - MOMS Ottawa: Turning Isolation into Advocacy (8:30) - Farhat's Son: Hockey, Learning, and Mental Struggles (16:27) - Marge's Son: Sports, Outdoors, and Childhood Grief (19:18) - Prison is the "New Asylum" for Mental Illness? (23:44) - Guilty Until Proven Innocent? The Reality of Remand (26:44) - The Tragedy Behind Farhat’s Son’s Life Sentence (31:34) - Solitary Confinement & Schizoaffective Disorder (39:47) - Does the System Actually Rehabilitate? (42:12) - Marge’s Son's Arrest, Bail, and Prison Sentence (45:51) - Boredom, Bullying & Bars: Life in Remand (56:59) - Minimum Security: Working & Pro-Social Living (1:06:38) - Maximum Security: Security Over Therapy (1:14:45) - 25 Years in a Cell: Remorse, Hope, and Survival (1:18:43) - Prison Visitation: Scanners, Glass, and Heartbreak (1:28:01) - The "Life Sentence" Mothers Serve on the Outside (1:31:34) - Coming Home: What Ex-Offenders Need to Succeed (1:43:31) - Restorative Justice: A New Framework for Victims (1:50:13) - Overcoming Stigma with Radical Acceptance PODCAST LINKS- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollielewispodcast- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ollielewispodcast- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ollielewispodcast145- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FYT6QkhkVlVBbzPc3B6XI- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ollielewispodcast/- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ollie-lewis-864064315/- X: https://x.com/OllieLewisPod