In this crossover episode with the cohosts of Aider and Abettor podcast, Bay Area public defenders Avi Singh and Sajid Khan join DA Boudin and Rachel to examine what it means when a prosecutor represents “the people.”  The group asks who are the people represented by the system at each stage and is the system really serving them?  How can the system better recognize the humanity of defendants and victims?  They also explore whether lawyers working in the system should find more collaboration in an adversarial system.  The discussion walks through various stages of the criminal legal system (from charging, bail, plea bargains, trials, through sentencing) and reimagines all the ways in which the system should honor the humanity of the people touched by it but too often denies it.  Finally, Avi leads DA Boudin, Rachel and Sajid in a “lightning round” of questions submitted by Aider and Abettor fans.

“For the People”: Finding the Humanity in Our Criminal Legal System with Sajid Khan and Avi Singh

A podcast on criminal justice reform featuring some of the nation's most prominent thought leaders. Hosted by progressive prosecutors San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and Rachel Marshall.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Government

Earlonne Woods and Yahya Johnson of Ear Hustle, the acclaimed podcast, join DA Boudin and Rachel for the powerful and deeply personal Season 2 finale. The episode focuses on how the criminal legal system treats people who are incarcerated—and how it needs to improve. Earlonne and Yahya share their personal accounts of their time in prison; explain the system and laws that sent them there; and describe their experiences with their prosecutors and defense attorneys. The discussion also explores the harms caused by laws like Three Strikes and the many harms caused by mass incarceration-- even after a prison sentence has ended. And, of course, the group identifies how the legal system can change the way it treats people who are incarcerated--and the role of prosecutors in effecting that change.   For further reading:   Check out Ear Hustle podcast's website Repeal California Three Strikes Law Coalition website and Steering Committee bios of Earlonne and Yahya NPR interview with Earlonne, Host of the Prison Podcast "Ear Hustle" Reflects on his 27 Years Behind Bars"  Current story about Ear Hustle's 2020 coverage of COVID inside prisons NPR 2018 story, Behind Ear Hustle, the Podcast Made in Prison Ear Hustle Episode 4, Season 1, introducing Yahya Today story describing the influence Yahya had on others in prison  Profile of Earlonne in the Ledger NBC 2017 story, Ear Hustle Podcast Unchains Voices from Behind Prison Walls SF Chronicle's Datebook article, For Ear Hustle Hosts Woods and Poor, Life Has Changed But the Show Goes On" The Marshall Project op-ed written by Rahsaan "New York" Thomas from Ear Hustle, "I Host a Popular Podcast. I'm Also in Prison" Pulitzer Prize finalist: Ear Hustle! Bon Appetit article about cooking show in San Quentin, featuring Yahya  

"Ear Hustling" for Justice with Earlonne Woods & John "Yahya" Johnson

Following up on last week's episode on restorative justice, this week, DA Boudin and Rachel step back and look at the treatment of crime victims and survivors throughout the legal process.  To do so, they are joined by two leading advocates for crime survivors: Tinisch Hollins of Californians for Safety and Justice and Sandra Henriquez of Valor US (formerly California Coalition Against Sexual Assault).  What does justice look like for crime victims--and for communities impacted by crime? Do most victims favor retributive justice and maximum sentences? What resources, support, and services do victims need to heal? The discussion also focuses specifically on sexual assault survivors and victims of violent crime in exploring ways the legal system can better protect victims and respond to crime.   For more reading:   Link to Californians for Safety and Justice website Link to Valor US's website News story about press conference for CSJ's push for cash assistance to crime victims and survivors DA Boudin and Tinisch interview on KQED's Forum, "Crime and Criminal Justice in the Pandemic"  KQED story, SF District Attorney Expands Services to Aid Victims of Police Violence  KQED story, "What Do Victims Want? New Criminal Justice Reforms Expose Divide Among Crime Survivors" (with quotes from Tinisch) Sacramento Bee op-ed coauthored by Sandra, #MeToo is Not Enough. California Must Invest in Stopping Sexual Assault"  Interview with Sandra, "We Need to Establish a Cultural Consensus that Sexual Violence is Preventable" Alliance for Safety and Justice Report: The first national survey of victims' views on safety and justice Link to Valor US's National Sexual Assault Conference Valor's Support for Survivors of Sexual Assault manual    

Survivors' Justice

In this powerful, must-listen episode, DA Boudin and Rachel are joined by Danielle Sered, the Executive Director of Uncommon Justice, to talk about the process known as restorative justice. While breaking down some of the myths and facts about restorative justice, this episode explores the ways the criminal legal system can better center crime victims and survivors. Danielle explains how restorative justice brings healing along with accountability--and leads to victims reporting greater satisfaction than the traditional legal process.  The group also discusses how restorative justice plays a critical role in preventing recidivism and future crime. Danielle shares examples from her work with victims of violent crime and makes the case for restorative justice approaches to harms--whether or not the legal system is involved.   For further readings:   Link to Danielle's book, Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair New York Times op-ed by Michelle Alexander, discussing Danielle's book USA Today op-ed by Danielle, "To End Mass Incarceration, U.S. Needs Alternatives to Prison for Violent Crimes" Danielle's Letter in the Washington Post about how prison isn't preferred by violent crime survivors Common Justice website Link to webinar featuring Danielle on Healing Without Incarceration Article written by Chesa Boudin (before his election) in the Appeal, San Francisco Deserves Restorative Justice San Francisco District Attorney's Office's website discussion of restorative justice  

Restorative Justice with Danielle Sered

In the wake of an increase in hate and violence against the AAPI community, DA Boudin and Rachel are joined by Professor Shirin Sinnar to discuss hate crimes.  They explore the history of hate crime laws, the limits of their use, and their impact.  Are hate crime laws helpful in deterring or preventing hate crimes? Do they serve other purposes? How do hate crimes impact different communities who face hate? They also discuss Professor Sinnar's recent report on alternative responses to hate crimes.   Link to Professor Sinnar's report, written in partnership between Stanford Law School and the Brennan Center for Justice, Exploring Alternative Approaches to Hate Crime DA Boudin on NPR talking about tools to prevent hate crimes Link to watch virtual summit on hate crimes hosted by DA Boudin--Prevention & Protection: Keeping Our AAPI Community Safe Professor Sinnar on KQED discussing hate crimes Interview with Viet Thanh Nguyen on roots of anti-Asian hate Stop AAPI Hate report on hate against AAPI community  

Hate Crimes & Justice with Shirin Sinnar

Season 2 returns from intermission with an insightful episode examining the impact of life sentences. DA Boudin and Rachel are joined by Keith Wattley, the Founder and Executive Director of UnCommon, who represents people sentenced to life sentences in California at their parole hearings. They discuss the impact of life sentences; how the parole process works under the law as well as in practice, and how it can be improved. They also explore the ways in which prisons too often fail those who are sentenced to life by denying their humanity. Finally, they discuss how prosecutors like DA Boudin have played a role in resentencing those who have been sentenced to excessively long sentences.   For further reading:   DA Boudin's Article in The Nation, "Across Prison Walls, I Felt My Parents' Love" UnCommon Law's website San Francisco Chronicle profile on Keith Wattley and UnCommon Law NowThis YouTube video on Keith and UnCommon Law YouTube video on Keith Wattley by James Irvine Foundation The Sentencing Project report on life sentences Recent piece by Keith Wattley on the values of justice San Francisco District Attorney's Office website on resentencing unit Article on San Francisco DA's Office's Resentencing Unit  Prison Law Office's Parole and Prison Handbook Penal Reform piece on the need to abolish life sentences  Vox op-ed on the need to cap all prison sentences  

“For the People”: Finding the Humanity in Our Criminal Legal System with Sajid Khan and Avi Singh

Download our free app to listen on your phone