In this powerful episode of Conviction Fiction, we sit down with Matthew Stephens—a man once labeled “incorrigible” by the U.S. government, who is now a Regional Detox Specialist and a fierce advocate for Restorative Justice.

After serving 18 years across five separate prison bids, including a 15-year federal sentence as an "armed career criminal," Matthew made a decision that changed everything: he refused to let the system write his ending.

Inside, he earned over 10 vocational certifications, a college-level education, and a new vision for his life. Now on the outside, he's helping others recover, rebuild, and rise above the same system that once tried to bury him.

In this episode, we explore:

• The emotional weight of being labeled “incorrigible”

• How prisons can either be crime factories or classrooms

• The importance of education and recovery in reentry

• What restorative justice really looks like in practice

• Why policy and perception must change for true justice

Whether you’re directly impacted or just ready to understand what real change takes, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew about justice, redemption, and second chances.

**Don’t just listen—**be part of the movement.

In this emotionally charged episode of Conviction Fiction, we explore the heartbreaking reality that sometimes, even your growth won’t be enough for the people you love. What do you do when your apology is met with silence—or worse, judgment? When your success is seen as a threat instead of a triumph?

We unpack the fantasy of unconditional family support and the painful disconnect that can follow when your transformation challenges old narratives. Through real talk and deep reflection, this episode dives into:

• Why some family members may resist your growth

• The emotional labor of rebuilding while being torn down

• How judgment from loved ones can cut deeper than the system

• The power of boundaries in protecting your peace

• What to do if you might be the trigger in someone else’s story

If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unfairly misunderstood by those closest to you, this episode is for you. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to prove your worth to people committed to misunderstanding you.

🎧 Tune in now and let your healing journey be louder than their doubts.

What if everything you thought you knew about justice… was a lie?

Welcome to The Conviction Fiction, the podcast that exposes the untold stories of those silenced by the criminal legal system. In this powerful trailer, host Antoine Rivers introduces the mission: to challenge stigma, uncover truth, and amplify the voices of the formerly incarcerated, their families, and those fighting for real justice.

This isn’t about betrayal — it’s about accountability.
This isn’t just prison talk — it’s freedom work.

With raw interviews, emotional storytelling, and bold commentary, Conviction Fiction peels back the layers of the system to reveal what really happens after the sentence is handed down.

Subscribe now and join the movement to change the narrative — one voice at a time.