Episode 40: "Releasing Prisoners, Redeeming Communities" - Prisoner Reentry w/ Dr. Anthony

Discussions about criminal justice reform often center around the record size US prison population and the over representation of people of color in prison. Rarely do we have conversations about the inevitable release of incarcerated individuals and how their release impacts the receiving community. Today, we tackle this discussion with Professor Anthony C. Thompson, author of Releasing Prisoners, Redeeming Communities: Reentry, Race, and Politics. We begin by defining reentry (24:40) and discussing the importance of thinking carefully about individuals’ reentry experiences (26:39). We then discuss how race and gender shape reentry experiences (28:52) as well as how reentry impacts housing (39:14), healthcare (47:11), and political participation (50:56). We also have a conversation about the parole process (56:20), the role of specialized courts in the reentry process (1:02:32), and how individuals can work to improve the reentry experiences of the recently released (1:07:57).

Other Topics Include:

00:30 - Catch up with Ty and Daphne

02:36 - BhD “Oh Lawd” News

21:32 - Introduction of the Topic

22:44 - Learn More About Professor Anthony Thompson

1:13:30 - Ty and Daphne Reflect on the Interview

Resources:

• Professor Anthony C. Thompson’s Website - http://its.law.nyu.edu/facultyprofiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile.overview&personid=20330

• BOOKS

• Releasing Prisoners, Redeeming Communities: Reentry, Race, and Politics - https://nyupress.org/books/9780814783214/

• Dangerous Leaders: How and Why Lawyers Must be Taught to Lead - https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=26895

• A Perilous Path: Talking Race, Inequality and the Law - https://thenewpress.com/books/perilous-path

• Marked: Race, Crime, And Finding Work In An Era Of Mass Incarceration - https://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/M/bo5485761.html

• WEBSITES AND OTHER RESOURCES

• NYU Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law - http://www.law.nyu.edu/centers/race-inequality-law

• FACT SHEET - Barriers to Successful Re-Entry of Formerly Incarcerated People - http://civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/criminal-justice/Re-Entry-Fact-Sheet.pdf

• Felony Disenfranchisement Publications - https://www.sentencingproject.org/issues/felony-disenfranchisement/

• Resources for Supporting Successful Reentry - https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/support-friends-family-of-prisoners/supporting-successful-prisoner-reentry/

• From Prison to Ph.D.: The Redemption and Rejection of Michelle Jones - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/us/harvard-nyu-prison-michelle-jones.html