A group of boys sit in a dining hall at Dozier, circa 1940. (Stacey Bennett / STATE ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA)

At least 34 children sent to the notorious Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna ended up on the state’s death row. So did 16 others from the equally troubled Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee. Between the two cohorts, they collectively murdered at least 114 people. A recent report by The Marshall Project uncovered the link and examines whether the abuse they endured may have played a role in their crimes. We talk to the lawyer who brought the original class action lawsuit to stop abuse at the two schools, along with a local death penalty attorney about our evolving understanding of the effect of childhood trauma and whether that knowledge might have changed outcomes of their capital cases.

Guests:

• Alan Chipperfield, director of capital division, Office of the Public Defender, 4th Judicial Circuit.
• Claudia Wright, former attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Prison Project; lead attorney in the “Bobby M” class action lawsuit brought against Dozier, Okeechobee and the Alyce McPherson School in Ocala.

Then, as the frequency and intensity of natural disasters like floods and wildfires increase, the need for local volunteers to join aid efforts is more urgent than ever. The Shelter Hero campaign, an initiative launched by the American Red Cross, provides training to community members able to provide food, shelter and hope to those affected by disaster. The next Shelter Heroes training will be Aug. 15 at the American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter Office.

Guests:

• Donna McNair, disaster workforce engagement manager, American Red Cross of North Florida.
• Mary Ann Giannini, community disaster program manager, American Red Cross of North Florida.

And, the signature local storytelling event and WJCT podcast Untold Stories wraps up its fourth season. Performers keep oral storytelling traditions alive by sharing personal narratives centered around the event’s theme, “Root.” The finale of Untold Stories’ fourth season will be July 31 at the Florida Theatre.

Guests:

• Barbara Colaciello, artistic director and host of Untold Stories.
• Mark Creegan, artist, songwriter and Untold Stories participant.