# S2EP12: We Can't Afford It, with Zoë Towns, Executive Director of FWD.US

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/just-justice-7032206/s2ep12-we-can-t-afford-it-with-zo-towns-executive-director-of-fwd-us
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/just-justice-7032206/s2ep12-we-can-t-afford-it-with-zo-towns-executive-director-of-fwd-us.md
Podcast: [Just Justice](https://stenobird.com/podcast/just-justice-7032206)
Published: 2025-07-08T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://jessicahenryjustice.podbean.com/e/we-cant-afford-it-with-zoe-towns-executive-director-of-fwdus/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/pxb367zjkkrhkimc/Zoe_Towns_episode_FULL_EPISODE72f1u.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2696

## Resource

Ever wonder what mass incarceration really costs us—not just in terms of dollars, but in lost opportunities, strained families, and long-term economic impact? Spoiler: it’s a lot more than you think. In this episode, I sit down with Zoë Towns, Executive Director of FWD.us, to unpack the eye-opening findings from their report We Can’t Afford It: Mass Incarceration and the Family Tax. We break down the staggering financial burden of the prison system and explore what a better, more equitable future could look like. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss. To find out more about Zoë Towns and the work of FWD.US: go to https://www.fwd.us/ To read their groundbreaking report, go to: https://www.wecantaffordit.us/ To learn more about Jessica Henry and Just Justice, go to www.jessicahenryjustice.com.

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## Transcript

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