Scars You Can't See: Loving Someone After Incarceration

Lockdown 2 Legacy

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Coming home from prison doesn’t erase the damage, it just changes the scenery. In this powerful episode, we explore the invisible scars left by incarceration and how loved ones can offer support rooted in empathy, not enforcement.

Dr. Debbie Jones walks listeners through the emotional, psychological, and neurological impacts of prison life, using brain-based, trauma-informed practices to help families and partners navigate the complex terrain of reentry. From Post-Incarceration Syndrome to the importance of co-regulation and autonomy, this episode offers tools, language, and real-life examples for anyone who wants to love someone through their healing.

Whether you’ve served time or are walking alongside someone who has, this conversation is for you. This episode provides compassionate guidance on fostering connection over control and empathy over enforcementBecause healing doesn’t just happen with freedom, it happens in relationships.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Bruce Perry, Post-Incarceration Syndrome, and resources from the Florida Innocence Project, National Incarceration Association, and Prison Policy Initiative.

💬 If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend or reach out to continue the conversation. Your story—and theirs—deserves to be heard. Share your experiences with us at [email protected].

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Cover art by: Timeless Acrylics
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Chapters

1. Scars You Can't See: Loving Someone After Incarceration (00:00:00)

2. Introducing Invisible Wounds of Incarceration (00:02:07)

3. The Brain Science of Prison Trauma (00:04:36)

4. Survival Behaviors After Release (00:07:58)

5. How Scars Affect Relationships (00:12:14)

6. Practical Support Strategies (00:15:00)

7. Healing Is Not Linear (00:18:17)

8. Final Reflections on Loving Support (00:26:18)