In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe present a conversation about criminal justice reform with Heather Rice-Minus, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, and Ralph Diaz, a former correction officer and Vice-Chairman of Prison Fellowship’s Board of Directors. With 1.7 million people incarcerated in prisons and jails across the country, Heather and Ralph discuss what they are seeking to do with the current criminal justice system and offer a vision for it. They draw from Prison Fellowship as a practical model for how to think about criminal justice reform and why rehabilitative justice is important and essential.

Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube!

“When we think about the concept of justice, we’re thinking that it just doesn't leave people where they are, but it’s actually seeking their betterment.” -Phebe [01:50]

“When we’re having public policy conversations, it helps to (consider) ‘What is the purpose we have in mind for this system? What is the goal that we have in mind?’ And that’s why I appreciate this conversation so much. The way that Heather and Ralph are able to talk about what we’re seeking to do with our criminal justice system and offering a vision for it.” -Michael [02:08]

“I learned right away, today’s inmates are tomorrow’s neighbor, and sending people out back into a community with no resources, no skills, not dealing with some of the court issues, that was an injustice. Not only for the individual, but the communities that we’re sending them back to.” -Ralph [13:32]

“I would encourage folks to make sure you’re following your lawmakers on these issues, talking to them about it. Local, federal, at every level, because we see the justice system does exist at every level.” -Heather [27:45]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Intro

[04:14] About this week’s guests

[04:55] A little bit of context

[06:08] Ralph’s experience in the justice system

[11:21] The need for rehabilitation

[17:53] Practical ways to prevent the cycle of crime

[24:01] Coming from a place of love

[27:56] Resources to get more engaged on this issue

[31:12] Outro

REFERENCES

Episode 2: Lauren Akins and Kailey reminiscing on some of the most meaningful points in their lives together