Rethinking Jails + Justice

Since 2014, Lucas County has been reimagining the local criminal justice system and advancing a number of strategies to rethink and redesign the system to reduce jail time and increase equity for all while maintaining public safety. Beginning in January 2024, WGTE Public Media, in collaboration with The Board of Lucas County Commissioners and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Safety + Justice Challenge, presents “Rethinking Jails + Justice,” a 10-episode podcast, 5-part radio series, and two community town halls that examine and challenge conventional thinking about over-incarceration that adversely and disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities. Learn about the community-wide, multilevel process that was undertaken by stakeholders to improve processes and the solutions that have resulted in reducing the jail population.

Press Release

Rethinking Jails + Justice: Podcast Series

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.

Listen Now

Radio Program

Join Jerry Anderson as he discusses the community's most pressing questions and concerns surrounding jail reform, incarceration, the justice system, mental health, police reform, and many more important topics. Our guests will include academics, those advocating for change and those who have been through the system, with the intention of discussing some of the issues that exist in our criminal justice system.

The themes are:

Life After Jail + Wrongfully Accused - airing on FM 91 on Tuesday, April 30 at 7 p.m.
Youth, Crime + Gangs - airing on FM 91 on Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m.
Treating Mental Health + Addiction in Jail - airing on FM 91 on Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m.
Police Reform + Gun Violence - airing on FM 91 on Tuesday, July 30 at 7 p.m.
Trusting in our Justice System - airing on FM 91 on Tuesday, August 27 at 7 p.m.

Radio Program Episodes

Trusting in our Justice System

Police Reform + Gun Violence

Treating Mental Health + Addiction in Jail

Youth, Crime + Gangs

Life After Jail + Wrongfully Accused

Rethinking Jails + Justice Town Hall

Aired: Dec 25, 2023

Panelists and Discussion Topics
System Change vs. Community Change?
Sean McNulty, Chief Public Defender: Toledo Legal Aid Society
Scott Sylak, Executive Director: Mental Health and Recovery Services Board
Holly Matthews, Executive Director: Toledo-Lucas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Carol Contrada, Former Lucas County Commissioner
Malcolm Cunningham, Director: Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement
Commissioner Pete Gerken, Lucas County Board of County Commissioners

Reform vs. Safety
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, City of Toledo
Chief Michael Troendle, Toledo Police Department
Judge Gene Zmuda, Sixth District Court of Appeals and Former Lucas County Common Pleas Judge
Judge Tim Kuhlman, Toledo Municipal Court
Commissioner Lisa Sobecki, Lucas County Board of County Commissioners
Bud Hite, Executive Director: Lucas County Correctional Treatment Facility