WGTE Public Media Launching Rethinking Jails + Justice Podcast Series
The “Rethinking Jails + Justice” project is in collaboration with The Board of Lucas County Commissioners and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Safety + Justice Challenge
TOLEDO, OHIO – August 29, 2024 – WGTE Public Media’s “Rethinking Jails + Justice”, in collaboration with The Board of Lucas County Commissioners and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Safety + Justice Challenge, is set to launch the latest phase of the project on Tuesday, September 3. This 10-episode podcast series hosted by Jason Hibbs explores the past, present and future state of Lucas County’s criminal justice reform. Episodes will be published weekly on Tuesdays, beginning on September 3. These episodes will be available online at www.wgte.org/rjjpod and on major audio streaming services.
"This has been an eye-opening experience for me. I've learned that for criminal justice reform to work, efforts have to go beyond county commission meetings. It is a community effort that in many ways is underway across Lucas County right now. Things aren't perfect, but we have a lot of really good people working hard to improve our communities. I am inspired to be a more engaged community member myself,” said host and producer Jason Hibbs.
Since 2014, Lucas County has been working to reduce jail time and increase equity for all while ensuring public safety through the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's Safety + Justice Challenge. “Rethinking Jails + Justice” explores the grant's impact, the future of reform, and features insights from law enforcement, legal professionals, mental health experts, researchers, and community leaders, plus advice for those concerned about themselves or loved ones.
Hibbs said, "My goal was to go beyond just reporting the grant details and delve into the real work happening on the ground. Throughout the series, guests also offer insights for those directly impacted by the criminal justice system or who have concerns for a loved one."
Podcast Episode Topics:
1. Grant Origins and Overview: Who is in the jail and why?
2. First contact - law enforcement
3. Predicting behavior pretrial and an explanation of the steps in the criminal justice process
4. Saving our kids
5. Opportunities from behind bars
6. The intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice
7. Racial Realities
8. Community Organizations
9. After release: reducing repeat visitors
10. The future of criminal justice reform
The “Rethinking Jails + Justice” project launched in January 2024 to examine and challenge conventional thinking about over-incarceration that adversely and disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities.
It kicked off with a live, public town hall event at the downtown Main Branch Library where over 100 community members attended to listen and contribute to the conversation. Audience and viewer questions were collected during the discussion and those that were not able to be answered that evening are catalysts for the chosen radio series topics. A recording of the livestreamed town hall event is available at wgte.org/rjj.
In April, hosted by Jerry Anderson, WGTE launched the “Rethinking Jails + Justice Radio Series” on FM 91. This 5-part radio series discusses the community's most pressing questions from the Rethinking Jails + Justice live Town Hall event held in January 2024. Each episode launched on the last Tuesday of each month, April through August. Each episode can be listened to online at wgte.org/rjj.
Visit www.wgte.org/rjj for more information on WGTE’s “Rethinking Jails + Justice.”
For more information on the Lucas County Safety + Justice Challenge, visit www.lucascountycjcc.org/SJC
Project and event video promo: youtu.be/mGF38JkOWYw
Rethinking Jails + Justice Town Hall Livestream: www.wgte.org/rjj