Here’s a staggering reality: The United States, with only about 5% of the world's population, holds 25% of the world's prisoners. This raises a critical question: Does the US prison system perpetuate the oppressive legacy of slavery?



In hopes of some perspective, I’m joined by James Nelson, an abolitionist who, at just 19 years old, was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Now a free man, James shares his insights on why abolition is not just a vision but a viable path forward.



Links:

Dignity and Power Now


21: James Nelson: Abolition of the Prison System

Unfiltered invites guests from all walks of life to share real stories about justice and transformation. Join host Raquel O'Brien for a series of raw and honest conversations from a range of perspectives in an invitation for you to make up your own mind. No topic is off-limits.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

True crime

Legal professor Jeremy Gans teaches at Melbourne University's Law School. An accomplished author, he conducts research across all aspects of the criminal justice system, including the highly unconventional. 



One of Jeremy's books details a case of juror misconduct involving the use of an Ouija board. Another details the history of the law's treatment of animals. We're talking guilty pigs and trespassing bees. Join Jeremy and I for this episode of Unfiltered as we dive into some of the more bizarre aspects of the criminal justice system. 



Links:

The Ouija Board Jurors: Mystery, Mischief and Misery in the Jury System

Guilty Pigs: The Weird and Wonderful History of Animal Law


30: Jeremy Gans: Guilty Pigs and Ouija Board Jurors

In the early 1990s, Mike DiVicino was convicted of a string of robberies and kidnappings in Los Angeles. He was subsequently given three consecutive life sentences. Behind bars, Mike began collecting heartfelt letters from his fellow inmates to centre at-risk youth, giving them insight into how the choices they make today can have dire consequences in the future.



Mike was released in 2019 after serving 29 years. In today's Unfiltered conversation, he speaks candidly about his life and reminds us that people are redeemable.



Links:

Dear Joey: Letters From Prison


29: Mike DiVicino: LA Mob Enforcer Turned Mentor

When an individual is released from prison, only to relapse into criminal behaviour and be sent back behind bars, it’s known as the “revolving prison door.” In Australia, it’s estimated that over 50% of incarcerated people re-offend within two years and end up back in prison. In the US, that number is estimated to be as high as 75%. 



My guest today is Human Rights Activist Martin Hodgson. Martin works relentlessly, pro-bono, to get incarcerated people in Australia out of prison and away from a life of crime. In his 20-year career, not a single one of his clients has ever re-offended. Martin joins me to discuss how he helps to get his clients back on their feet - and stay on their feet.



Links:

https://www.instagram.com/martinghodgson

https://curtainthepodcast.wordpress.com


28: Martin Hodgson: Reversing Recidivism

Madeline Heather is the host of Reclaim Me, a remarkable podcast that spotlights the voices of individuals who’ve survived unimaginable crimes. 



Madeline herself is a survivor. At the age of 14, she attended a sleepover at a friend’s house, which quickly turned into a nightmare. In this week’s episode of Unfiltered, Madi shares her first-hand account of waking in the middle of the night to find her friend’s father on top of her. 



Madi is quick-witted and gets straight to the point. She reminds us that sometimes, when life gets heavy, we just gotta laugh to help lighten the load.



Links:

https://www.reclaimme.com.au

https://www.patreon.com/reclaimme

https://www.instagram.com/reclaimmepod


27: Madeline Heather: Reclaiming Her Story of Survival

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Zodiac Killer terrorized the Bay Area of Northern California, murdering at least five people. He toyed with law enforcement officials, leaving clues about his identity in letters and cipher codes he sent to local newspapers. To this day, the case remains unsolved.



Tom Voight was a kid growing up in Southern California when the Zodiac was active, and he lived in fear of the killer's next move. In 1998, Tom launched the only Zodiac Killer website recognized by law enforcement. In this episode, he shares why the case has kept him captivated all these years.



Links:

https://zodiackiller.com

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/zodiackillerfr

https://www.youtube.com/@tomvoigt


21: James Nelson: Abolition of the Prison System

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