Camp Confidential - Beyond The Bars

In this conversation, Katrina McLarin and Cheryl Womack discuss the complexities of life after incarceration, focusing on the transition from prison to probation and the challenges faced in the halfway house and at home. Cheryl shares her personal experiences, highlighting the emotional and mental struggles, the impact on family relationships, and the lack of support from the justice system. They also explore the financial challenges of re-entering society and the importance of advocacy...

In this episode, Cheryl Womack shares her emotional journey leading up to her release from a women's federal prison, detailing the complexities of navigating the halfway house system, the emotional toll of waiting for her release date, and the importance of legal preparedness for reintegration into society. Cheryl and Katrina discuss the challenges faced by inmates, including safety concerns in halfway houses, the lack of control over their release process, and the emotional impact of l...

In this conversation, Cheryl Womack shares her experiences of incarceration and its profound impact on her family and personal life. She discusses the emotional challenges faced by both her and her loved ones, the complexities of navigating a plea deal, and the difficulties of maintaining communication while in prison. Cheryl reflects on the importance of support systems, the emotional toll of visits, and the unexpected challenges in managing her business during her time away. Ultimatel...

In this episode of Camp Confidential – Beyond the Bars, Cheryl Womack shares her candid observations about the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) in women’s federal prisons. With co-host Katrina McLarin, she unpacks the program’s structure, questions its true effectiveness, and reflects on the psychological toll it can take on inmates. Drawing from her own experience, Cheryl highlights the urgent need for practical life skills and strong communication training to prepare women for life aft...

In this conversation, Cheryl Womack shares her experiences of communication while incarcerated, emphasizing the critical role of mail in maintaining connections with the outside world. She discusses the emotional impact of receiving mail, the challenges of navigating mail call, and the restrictions on legal correspondence. Cheryl also highlights the importance of email and video chats as alternative communication methods, while reflecting on how limited communication affects relationshi...

In this powerful episode of Camp Confidential – Beyond the Bars, Cheryl Womack opens up about the racial dynamics she witnessed and experienced during her time in a women’s federal prison. She sheds light on the stark racial divide, self-segregation among inmates, and the subtle but impactful differences in treatment across racial lines. Cheryl offers a candid reflection on the lack of institutional efforts to promote racial harmony and shares how she built meaningful friendships across racia...

In this powerful episode, Cheryl Womack opens up about the realities of staying connected from inside a women’s federal prison. She shares the emotional highs and lows of limited communication, the challenges of visitation, and how these systems impact both inmates and their families. From navigating strict email rules to making the most of brief visits, Cheryl reveals how connection becomes a lifeline — and why maintaining relationships is critical to surviving prison and rebuilding life bey...

In this conversation, Cheryl Womack shares her experiences of working in a federal women's prison camp, discussing the importance of employment for inmates, the challenges of the job application process, and the educational opportunities available, including GED programs. She highlights the dynamics between inmates and guards, the various job roles within the prison, and the daily routines that shape life behind bars. Cheryl emphasizes the need for structure, skill development, and the ...

In this episode, Katrina McLarin and Cheryl Womack discuss the intricacies of life in federal prison, focusing on the implications of good behavior, the consequences of receiving 'shots', and the challenges of navigating prison rules. They explore the high percentage of inmates incarcerated for drug-related crimes, the dynamics of communication with guards, and the unique experiences surrounding food and cooking in prison. The conversation also touches on feelings of safety, the reality...

Cheryl Womack returns to share one of the most harrowing days of her life—her self-surrender to a women’s federal prison camp. In this gripping episode, she walks Katrina through the raw emotions of leaving her family behind, the administrative chaos at check-in, and the unexpected moments of kindness and confusion during intake. From the teary goodbye in the car to the dreaded "walk of shame" in a white jumpsuit, Cheryl unpacks the reality versus the myths of that first day behind the ...

Katrina McLarin and Cheryl Womack dive deep into the chaos, confusion, and hard truths of navigating the criminal justice system. From media spin to the pressure cooker of plea deals, they unpack how women are often forced to make life-altering decisions under extreme stress. Cheryl gets raw and real about her own journey—how she prepped for prison, handled her finances, and found strength through building a solid support system.

Hosted by Katrina McLarin, with co-host and author V. Cheryl Womack: Camp Confidential dives deep into Cheryl’s powerful, firsthand account of surviving a women’s federal prison camp. Based on her eye-opening book How to Go to Camp, this season is a raw, real, and necessary guide for any woman facing incarceration — and for anyone who wants to understand what really goes on behind the gates. From intake to release, Cheryl shares the truth no one talks about — the rules, the culture, the menta...