Advocates for police reform have long looked to lawmakers in hopes of addressing the social inequities baked into the criminal justice system. And even though criminal justice reform receives bipartisan lip service, our polarized legislature has yet to make serious headway on issues like reducing sentences for low-level drug crimes.
But there's another layer of bureaucracy that may prove effective in transforming how the system doles out justice: our nation's district attorneys. And in what many expect could be a wave election, candidates across the country are vying to transform this crucial yet often overlooked role.
John Pfaff, professor of law at Fordham University and author of Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarcerationand How to Achieve Real Reform, describes the status quo, and how many Americans wind up victim of the systems shortfalls.
Inimai M. Chettiar, director of the Brennan Center's Justice Program, brings us back to the roots of America's "war on crime," to help figure out how this zero tolerance mentality came to define our country's perception of law and order.
Holly Harris, executive director of the Justice Action Network, gives us the conservative case for criminal justice reform, and explains why key figures in the Trump administration are keen on blocking any attempts at a bipartisan solution.
Satana Deberry, who is running for District Attorney in Durham County, North Carolina, explains the grass-roots movement motivating her campaign for office, as well as like-minded candidates around the country.
Activist and columnist Shaun King rounds out the hour to gauge the underlying causes, and widespread ramifications, of this particular movement at this moment in time.
All music composed and produced by Jay Cowit.
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