From Public Defender to Advocate for Systemic Change

Vox's Jamil Smith talks with Larry Krasner, the former civil rights attorney who's been district attorney of Philadelphia since 2018. They talk about the bold agenda of criminal justice reform that Krasner's office has been trying to implement, the recent upturn in violent crime across the country, and how to stare down the seemingly unshakable system and make real change happen.

Host: Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith), Senior Correspondent, Vox

Guest: Larry Krasner (@DA_LarryKrasner), District Attorney of Philadelphia

References: 

• Philly D.A. documentary miniseries (Independent Lens; 2021)
• "Krasner finds 'horrendous abuses of power' among cops, prosecutors in special report" by Katie Meyer (WHYY; June 15)
• "The day Philadelphia bombed its own people" by Lindsey Norward (Vox; Aug. 15, 2019)
• "The battle in Philly DA's Office: Conviction Integrity Unit report shows rocky path to reform" by Samantha Melamed (Philadelphia Inquirer; June 15)
• For the People: A Story of Justice and Power by Larry Krasner (Penguin Random House; 2021)

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This episode was made by: 

• Producer: Erikk Geannikis
• Editor: Amy Drozdowska
• VP, Vox Audio: Liz Kelly Nelson

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