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 Documentary & Town Hall
After a decade and five million dollars in grant funding, Lucas County stands at a crossroads in its journey toward criminal justice reform. In the Rethinking Jails and Justice Documentary, we dive into the roots of the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, examining both the successes and setbacks of the initiative and asking: where does the path lead next?
Rethinking Jails + Justice Live Town Hall and Documentary
After a decade and five million dollars in grant funding, Lucas County stands at a crossroads in its journey toward criminal justice reform. In the Rethinking Jails and Justice Documentary, we dive into the roots of the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, examining both the successes and setbacks of the initiative and asking: where does the path lead next?
Immediately following the documentary, WGTE went live in studio with moderator Jerry Anderson and community stakeholders to discuss the overall project and outcomes of the Safety + Justice Challenge initiative and recap what WGTE Public Media has discovered over the past 12 months. There will be interactive capabilities for viewers to submit questions and comments.
Current Confirmed Panelists include:
Panel #1:
Jason Hibbs, Rethinking Jails + Justice Reporter, Podcast and Documentary Producer
Laurie Garduque, John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Mike Navarre, Lucas County Sheriff
Eloy Perez, Previously Incarcerated
Pete Gerken, Lucas County Commissioner
Thomas Crowe, Outreach & Assessment Specialist, Zepf Center Fatherhood Program
Panel #2:
Jason Hibbs, Rethinking Jails + Justice Reporter, Podcast and Documentary Producer
Lisa Sobecki, Lucas County Commissioner
Holly Matthews, Executive Director: Toledo-Lucas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Adam M. Watkins, Ph.D., Criminal Justice Professor, Bowling Green State University
Malcolm Cunningham, City of Toledo’s Director of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement
Mike Hampton, formerly incarcerated, current system mentor
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.
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, 2023Panelists 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
Lucas County's Roadmap to Criminal Justice Reform
Funding for Rethinking Jails + Justice is provided by
