06. Oklahoma's Answer to Women's Incarceration | Erin Engelke

In Episode 6 of Unintended Consequences, Mike Shelton sits down with Erin Engelke, CEO of ReMerge, one of the nation's most innovative diversion programs for justice-involved mothers. Created in response to Oklahoma's historically high rate of female incarceration, ReMerge offers an alternative to prison by addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, including addiction, trauma, mental health challenges, poverty, and instability. Erin shares how ReMerge helps mothers rebuild their lives, reunite with their children, secure employment, find housing, and break generational cycles of incarceration. This conversation explores: • Why Oklahoma created ReMerge • Addiction, trauma, and justice involvement • Alternatives to incarceration • Diversion programs that work • Family reunification and child welfare • Breaking generational cycles of poverty and incarceration • Employment and long-term recovery • The role of accountability in diversion programs • Public safety and rehabilitation • The future of criminal justice reform in Oklahoma With a recidivism rate of just 3.6%, ReMerge is proving that accountability, dignity, support, and opportunity can transform lives and strengthen communities. Learn more about ReMerge: https://remergeok.org Learn more about Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform: https://okjusticereform.org #UnintendedConsequences #ReMerge #ErinEngelke #CriminalJusticeReform #OCJR