Shows
Just JusticeSecond Chances and Reentry, with Andrew Hundley, Executive Director of the Louisiana Parole ProjectAt just 15 years old, Andrew Hundley was sentenced to life without parole. Nearly two decades later, he became the first juvenile lifer in Louisiana released after the Supreme Court ruled such sentences unconstitutional. In this powerful episode of Just Justice, Andrew shares his extraordinary journey from incarceration to non-profit leader. Now the co-founder and executive director of the Louisiana Parole Project, Andrew is helping rewrite the narrative for over 600 formerly incarcerated individuals by providing housing, employment, life skills, mentoring, and a community that believes in redemption. Tune in to hear how one man’s second chance is helping hundreds of ot...2025-07-2252 minJust JusticeWe Can't Afford It, with Zoë Towns, Executive Director of FWD.USEver 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 a...2025-07-0844 minJust JusticeS1EP23: "Children are Children," with Michael Pinard, Law Professor and Juvenile Justice AdvocateMichael Pinard has devoted his entire career to advocating for children and fighting against the racial biases that often accompany their mistreatment in our legal systems. A former public defender turned law professor, Michael's work focuses on the intersection between race and the civil, criminal and juvenile justice systems. Michael is the faculty director of the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law and director of the Clinical Law Program at the University of Maryland School of Law. He also is an old friend of mine, going way back to our days at NYU School of Law. If you care...2025-06-2442 minJust JusticeS1EP23: "Children are Children," with Michael Pinard, Law Professor and Juvenile Justice AdvocateMichael Pinard has devoted his entire career to advocating for children and to shining a spotlight on the racial biases that often accompany the mistreatment of children in our legal systems. A former public defender turned law professor, Michael's work focuses on the intersection between race, justice, and the civil, criminal and juveniles systems. Michael is the faculty director of the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law and director of the Clinical Law Program at the University of Maryland School of Law. He also is an old friend of mine, going way back to our days at NYU School of Law...2025-06-1842 minJust JusticeS1EP22: Phillip Alvin Jones, In Prison but "Already Free"Phillip Alvin Jones is incarcerated in a Washington prison, where he is serving two life sentences plus twenty years for a crime he committed many years ago in Maryland. Although he has been in prison for over thirty years, he has used his time to be an agent of change, both inside and outside the walls. Phillip hosts the podcast, The Wall: Behind and Beyond, and runs his own company, Phillip A. Jones, LLC., which seeks to transform our justice system by working towards a future where justice and rehabilitation meet. In this episode of Just Justice, Phillip and I...2025-06-1044 minJust JusticeS1EP21:Bryan Widenhouse: Advocate, Artist and JLWOP SurvivorS1EP21 Bryan Widenhouse: Advocate, Artist and JLWOP Survivor
Bryan Widenhouse received a life without parole sentence when he was only 17 years old. During his 31 year incarceration, some of which was spent at the notorious Angola prison, Bryan chose to serve others as a path toward accountability and redemption. When a change in law allowed Bryan to be released, he seized the opportunity to continue serving others. Bryan now works as a State Legislative Affairs Manager for FAMM, challenging extreme sentences and promoting second look laws. He has spoken to members of Congress, testified to legislators, and helped to dev...2025-05-2750 minJust JusticeS1E20: Meet Ruth Greenberg, the Massachusetts Mama of Medical ParoleRuth Greenberg has been called the Massachusetts mama of medical parole. As a trail blazer and a defense lawyer, Ruth has devoted her extensive career to fighting on behalf of the poor and the incarcerated. On this episode of Just Justice, Ruth tells us about her leading role in the push for compassionate release in Massachusetts, and shares stories about the successful fight against life without parole for people under the age of 21 in her state.
To learn more about Ruth and her work:
POV: Governor Baker Should Not Be Afraid to Set Dying Prisoners...2025-05-1350 minJust JusticeS1E19: A Matter of Life, with Dr. Ashley Nellis, Sentencing ScholarThis week on Just Justice, we’re taking a hard look at life sentences in America—a country where one in six incarcerated people is serving life behind bars. That’s nearly 200,000 individuals, making the U.S. one of the most punitive nations in the world. Host Jessica Henry sits down with Dr. Ashley Nellis, a leading sentencing expert and soon-to-be Assistant Professor at American University’s School of Public Affairs. Together, we unpack the findings of Ashley's latest "lifer census"—who’s serving life, for what crimes, and why it matters. Plus, Ashley makes a bold call: end life sentences al...2025-04-2941 minJust JusticeS1E18: Restorative Justice: A Smart Alternative to Prison, with Danielle Sered, founder and director of Common JusticeDanielle Sered is the founder and director of Common Justice, the first alternatives-to-incarceration and victim-service program in the United States. Danielle is also a violent crime survivor and author of the award-winning book, Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair. In this episode of Just Justice, Danielle talks about the power of restorative justice to help survivors heal from violent crime, what crime survivors say they want and need, and her view that prison is not the best way to bring accountability and to prevent future crimes.
Learn More:
About Danielle Sered's impactful work:
About Common Justice...2025-04-1556 minJust JusticeS1EP17: The Cruel World of Compassionate Release, with Mary Price, General Counsel of FAMMWhat happens to people in prison who face terminal illnesses? Or develop dementia? Or who are just very old? Must they die alone in prison? Or should they be released to spend their final days at home? How do we make that happen? In this episode of Just Justice, Mary Price, General Counsel of FAMM, walks us through the complex and often cruel world of compassionate release. FAMM has led the fight for better and more effective compassionate release policies for the elderly and infirm, and Mary has been at the forefront of that movement. Mary has testified before the...2025-04-0151 minJust JusticeS1EP16: The False Promise of Criminal Legal Reform, with Eve Hanan, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Research at UNLV School of LawEve Hanan wrote a law review article called Terror and Tenderness in Criminal Law that blew my mind. She makes the argument that opportunities for leniency in the criminal legal system -- parole, clemency, compassionate release -- seduce us into believing the system is just and merciful, when in reality, the system is far too harsh for far too many. She even takes on the idea of hope and suggests that hope is a distraction from the challenges of our system and the path toward real and meaningful reform. I hope you'll enjoy listening to this conversation as much...2025-03-1838 minJust JusticeS1EP15: Prosecution Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs) and Wrongful Convictions, with Marissa Bluestine, former innocence lawyer and Assistant Director of the Quattrone CenterThis week on Just Justice we talk with Marissa Bluestine, Assistant Director of the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Marissa is a former innocence lawyer and one of the nation's leading experts on Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs). CIUs are specialized units within prosecutor offices that review convictions with strong claims of actual innocence. Marissa guides us through the work of CIUs to identify wrongful convictions and exonerate the innocent, and gives us an insider perspective on what works and what doesn't. Join us for this fascinating episode.
2025-03-0445 minJust JusticeS1EP14: Unpacking the Pardon Process with Law Professor and National Clemency Expert Rachel Barkow
This week on Just Justice we peel back the curtain on the inner workings of the federal clemency process with law professor Rachel Barkow, a nationally-recognized expert in the field. Professor Barkow walks us through the stunningly complex and inefficient pardon application process, rates Presidents Obama, Biden and first-term Trump in their pardon efforts, and speculates about what we might expect from a second-term Trump administration.
To learn more about Professor Rachel Barkow:
Go to her faculty profile at https://its.law.nyu.edu/facultyprofiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile.biography&personid=20660
Link to Prisoners of Politics: Breaking the Cycle of Mass Inc...2025-02-1848 minJust JusticeS1EP13: Kelly Savage-Rodriguez, A SurvivorKelly Savage-Rodriguez defines survivor. She survived years of abuse as a child and later extreme domestic violence in her marriage. She survived being criminally prosecuted and convicted in 1998, along with her abusive husband, for the murder of her son -- a crime she did not commit or intend. She survived years in a California prison under a life without parole sentence, transforming her pain into powerful choices. And she survived -- and is thriving -- after her sentence was commuted by California Governor Brown in December 2017. Join us for this powerful episode of Just Justice, as we walk with Kelly th...2025-02-0448 minJust JusticeS1EP12: Beyond Guilt, with Steve Zeidman, Co-Director of the Second Look ProjectSteve Zeidman is a criminal defense hero who has spent his entire career fighting for people with nowhere else to turn. In this episode, Steve walks us through some of his most compelling efforts to gain freedom for people who would otherwise spend their lives in prison. Steve's zealous advocacy for second chances will leave you inspired by his work and horrified by a criminal legal system that seems to prioritize finality over humanity and justice.
For more about Steve Zeidman:
To learn more about the Second Look Project: Beyond Guilt: https://www.law.cuny.edu/se...2025-01-2147 minJust JusticeS1EP11: After a Brutal Assault, Dina Windle Fights for Grace and MercyOne night, in November 1994, Dina Windle was coming from law school in Little Rock, Arkansas when she was abducted and raped. The man who assaulted her was sentenced to die for a different rape and murder. In this episode of Just Justice, Dina shares the story of her assault, the trial and its aftermath, and how she came to be an advocate for the man who caused her such harm. Small in stature, huge in heart and compassion, Dina Windle is Chief Investigator at the NJ Office of the Public Defender. Dina also serves on the Board of Journey o...2025-01-0752 minJust JusticeS1E10: Forgiveness After Murder, with Dr. Kristen DiscolaHave you ever wondered about forgiveness after a murder? How do surviving family members forgive the person who murdered their loved ones? Who gives forgiveness? Who gets it? What makes one person forgive and another not? Join me in conversation with Dr. Kristen Discola, author of Redefining Murder, Transforming Emotion: An Exploration of Forgiveness after Loss Due to Homicide, as we discuss the science of forgiveness in the context of murder. Along the way, we explore what role, if any, forgiveness can play in the pursuit of second chances for people who committed homicide. And we talk about her w...2024-12-1749 minJust JusticeS1E9: Passing the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Survivors Act, with Alex Bailey, Senior Campaign Strategist from the Sentencing ProjectAlex Bailey, Senior Campaign Strategist for the Sentencing Project, led the push for passage of the Oklahoma Survivors Act of 2024, a ground-breaking law that allows people convicted of serious crimes a chance to show that domestic violence or sexual abuse contributed to their actions. Alex is a master story-teller, who vividly shares the experiences of incarcerated survivors who inspired the creation of this law. Along the way, Alex takes us on the wild political ride that led to passage of the bill in Oklahoma, an overwhelmingly Republican state. Be warned: This episode contains graphic depictions of violence and sexual abuse.
T...2024-12-0338 minJust JusticeS1E8: Getting Lost and Getting Found, with John Pace, Senior Reentry Coordinator for Youth Sentencing and Reentry ProjectJohn Pace was just 17 years old when he pled guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to mandatory life without parole. John spent 31 years in prison until a change in law allowed for his release. John now works to impact the lives of others as a Senior Reentry Coordinator for YSRP and as an active member of the Inside-Out Program at Temple University. John has been featured in the Nation Magazine, CBS Sunday Morning and on NPR for his inspiring efforts and vision of justice. Join us as we talk about John's journey to prison and beyond, the importance of...2024-11-1942 minJust JusticeBONUS EPISODE: Live from Watchung Booksellers, a Conversation with Law Professor Kim Wehle on the President’s Pardon PowerIn this bonus episode of Just Justice, join me in an unedited post-election night recording of a fascinating and sometimes frightening live conversation with law professor Kim Wehle about her new book, Pardon Power: How the Pardon System Works and Why. We discuss the history of the pardon power, look back on how President Donald Trump used his pardon power in his first term in office, and predict what we might expect from him in the next four years.
Special thanks to Watchung Booksellers and the Watchung Booksellers Podcast for this recording. Be sure to ch...2024-11-121h 02Just JusticeS1E7: Judging Remorse in Criminal Sentencing, Susan Bandes, Law and EmotionsSusan Bandes is a pioneer in the study of law and emotions. The law looks for remorse from people who commit crimes at sentencing and in the parole process. But as Professor Bandes warns, judging remorse is far more difficult than it seems.
To learn more about Susan Bandes:
Go to her website: https://www.susanbandes.com/
We discussed her book The Passions of Law, which you can find here: https://nyupress.org/9780814713051/the-passions-of-law/
To learn more about Jessica Henry:
Website: http://jessicahenryjustice.com/
Watch my TEDx talk No-Crime Wrongful Convictions here.
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Check out my award-winning b...2024-11-0542 minJust JusticeS1E6: Meet the Prosecutors Fighting for Second Chances, with Hillary Blout from For the PeopleYou don't necessarily think of prosecutors when you think about second chances. After all, prosecutor offices are the very entities that send people to prison in the first place.
Join me for a fascinating conversation with Hillary Blout, a former prosecutor and the Founder and Executive Director of For the People, a national nonprofit working with prosecutors to look back at past sentences and bring people home from prison. Hillary is working hard to make prosecutors be part of the solution to ending long prison terms. She spearheaded the passage of the first prosecutor-initiated resentencing law in the country. Listen as w...2024-10-2249 minJust JusticeS1E5: Author Ben Austen Talks Parole, Innocence, and "Buck Rogers" Prison TimeBen Austen, author of Correction: Parole, Prison and the Possibility of Change, provides a rare glimpse into the often opaque and dysfunctional parole process. He shares the stories of two men who spend decades in prison before they present their cases to the parole board. In the telling, Austen reveals the possibilities and the brokenness of parole as a vehicle for second chances, and asks important questions about whether parole truly allows people to move beyond their convictions and prison to freedom.
Ben Austen's Books:
Correction: Parole, Prison and the Possibility of Change
High Risers: Cabrini Green and the Fa...2024-10-0851 minJust JusticeS1E4: "Never Write Anyone Off", with David Singleton, Associate Dean for Experiential and Clinical Programs at UDC School of LawDavid Singleton has worked for the poor and against racial inequity throughout his career. Join us as we talk with David about being a public defender, his service as the Executive Director of the Ohio Justice, and the "Beyond Guilt" project. David exhorts us to "never write anyone off," and persuasively makes the case for second chances.
David is a law professor and Associate Dean for Experiential and Clinical Programs at UDC School of Law.
To learn more about Jessica Henry:
Website: http://jessicahenryjustice.com/
Watch my TEDx talk No-Crime Wrongful Convictions here.
Subscribe to newsletter
Check ou...2024-09-2441 minJust JusticeS1E3: Sentenced to 241 Years in Prison at Age 16 for Robbery, with Bobby BosticBobby Bostic was only 16-years-old when he was sentenced to 241 years for an armed robbery in Missouri where no one was seriously injured. In this episode, Bobby takes us through the heartbreak and hope that he carried with him throughout his 29 years in prison, where he took classes, wrote books (8 to date!), and transformed. Even the sentencing judge became an advocate for Bobby, and helped create a new law that gave Bobby a second chance for freedom. Bobby's story of redemption and possibility is a compelling listen.
To learn more about Bobby Bostic::
Web...2024-09-1737 minJust JusticeS1E2: How the Personal Became a Passion for Second Chances, with Becky FeldmanBecky Feldman is the Director of the Second Look Network (SLN) at the Sentencing Project, an organization that provides support to attorneys and advocates across the country who represent people serving lengthy and often unfair sentences. Becky also is a former public defender, a former prosecutor, and a person who lost her brother to murder. Join us as we discuss how that tragedy shaped the course of her diverse and impactful career in ways that you might find both surprising and inspiring.
In addition, as Director of the SLN, Becky has her finger on the pulse of w...2024-09-0440 minJust JusticeS1E1: What Happens to Children Sentenced to Life without Parole? with Dr. Tarika Daftary KapurWhat happens to children who are sentenced to life without parole for murder and then later, sometimes decades later, have the chance to be released from prison? Join me in conversation with Dr. Tarika Daftary- Kapur as she shares her research about what really happens to people sentenced as juveniles who grow up in prison and then receive a second chance. Do they succeed on the outside? Do they go on to commit more crime? Can they be safely released?
Dr. Daftary-Kapur is a nationally renowned forensic psychologist and a Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State Un...2024-09-0439 minJust JusticeJust Justice TrailerJust Justice takes a deep-dive into the world of second chances for people who commit serious crimes. We talk to academics, policy makers, advocates, crime survivors and people who are formerly incarcerated and look at the idea of second chances for people serving life without parole and other extreme prison sentences. Who gets a second chance? Who deserves one? Who decides? My name is Jessica Henry and I’ll be your host. I’m a former public defender, professor and an award-winning author. I can’t wait to explore second chances with you. What would it take for you to giv...2024-09-0401 min
Pursuing JusticeSMOKE BUT NO FIRE with author & Professor Jessica S. Henry [Part 2]On this episode of Pursuing Justice, we're joined by Professor Henry, who will talk about the many cases of wrongful conviction where innocent people were convicted of crimes that simply never happened. She exposes a deeply flawed criminal justice system that allows-even encourages-these no-crime wrongful convictions to regularly occur.Jessica Henry is an author, commentator, blogger and social justice advocate. She earned her JD from NYU School of Law and served as a public defender in NYC for nearly a decade. As a professor at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ, she was awarded the 2022 University D...2024-03-1423 minPursuing JusticeSMOKE BUT NO FIRE with author & Professor Jessica S. Henry [Part 1]On this episode of Pursuing Justice, we're joined by Professor Henry, who will talk about the many cases of wrongful conviction where innocent people were convicted of crimes that simply never happened. She exposes a deeply flawed criminal justice system that allows-even encourages-these no-crime wrongful convictions to regularly occur.Jessica Henry is an author, commentator, blogger and social justice advocate. She earned her JD from NYU School of Law and served as a public defender in NYC for nearly a decade. As a professor at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ, she was awarded the 2022 University D...2024-03-0722 min
Law Ghost StoriesEpisode 11: Bobby BosticWelcome back Law Ghost friends to episode 11! Danielle will tell Brenna the story of Bobby Bostic and the fight that still continues for his release. Please sign Bobby's petition and if you are interested in purchasing any of his books you may do so here or at your local book store.
You can follow us on our social media linked in our website!
Sources used in this episode:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-bobby-bostic-from-serving-an-unconstitutional-life-sentence-even-retired-judge-evelyn-baker-who-sentenced-bobby-says-i-am-now-retired-and-i-deeply-regret-what-i-did/sign
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/04/30/a-juvenile-lifer-finds-peace-in-the-prison-garden
https://www.amazon.com...2021-08-0929 min
The JabotThe Injustice of Criminal Convictions Without Any Crimes with Jessica S. HenryKathryn Rubino talks with Jessica S. Henry, author of “SMOKE BUT NO FIRE: Convicting the Innocent of Crimes that Never Happened”, about the prevalence of no-crime convictions, some of the worst examples of no-crime convictions, how racial injustice exacerbates the issue, and finally what can be done, particularly within the current criminal justice reform zeitgeist. Episode Resources Jessica S. Henry: jessicahenryjustice@gmail.com https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-but-No-Fire-Convicting/dp/0520300645 https://jessicahenryjustice.com/ Episode Highlights Jessica’s new book - 0:37 Her background - 1:31 Being a teacher and learning about crime cases - 5:34 Cr...2020-08-0327 min