Law professor Aliza Kaplan joins Just Justice to share the human side of “second-chance lawyering." Aliza details the chllanging legal work that happens after a conviction, where post-conviction advocacy, parole, clemency, and re-sentencing can truly change lives. Aliza traces her journey from co-founding the New England Innocence Project to helping reshape criminal justice policy in Oregon, and shares stories of people who came home ready to thrive. If you’re curious about reforms that actually work, and the people behind them, join us for a conversation that is hopeful and inspiring.  

On this episode of Just Justice, Amanda Carrasco, author of the new memoir Becoming the Brave One, shares how her experiences with sexual abuse and homicide shaped her path toward healing, and how restorative justice became a powerful framework for accountability, resilience, and hope. This conversation highlights the strength it takes to tell your story and the possibilities of justice rooted in repair rather than prison.

To learn more about Amanda Carrasco and to order her new memoir, Becoming the Brave One, go to: https://amandacarrasco.com/.

To learn more about Jessica Henry and the Just Justice podcast, visit jessicahenryjustice.com.

Bryan Widenhouse received a life without parole sentence when he was only 17 years old. During his 31 year incarceration, some of which was spent at the notorious Angola prison, Bryan chose to serve others as a path toward accountability and redemption. When a change in law allowed Bryan to be released, he seized the opportunity to continue serving others. Bryan now works as a State Legislative Affairs Manager for FAMM, challenging extreme sentences and promoting second look laws. He has spoken to members of Congress, testified to legislators, and helped to develop a Speakers’ Bureau to change the narrative around extreme sentences. In this episode of Just Justice, I talk with Bryan about the importance of second chances, his art, and the power of community service to heal and transform. 

Ruth Greenberg has been called the Massachusetts mama of medical parole. As a trail blazer and a defense lawyer, Ruth has devoted her extensive career to fighting on behalf of the poor and the incarcerated. On this episode of Just Justice, Ruth tells us about her leading role in the push for compassionate release in Massachusetts, and shares stories about the successful fight against life without parole for people under the age of 21 in her state.

To learn more about Ruth and her work:

POV: Governor Baker Should Not Be Afraid to Set Dying Prisoners Free, https://www.bu.edu/articles/2019/pov-governor-baker-should-not-be-afraid-to-set-dying-prisoners-free-2/

Cement Head’s last fight: He was denied parole six times — until he was about to become a Covid-19 statistic, https://www.statnews.com/2021/04/14/deathbed-double-standard-its-hard-to-get-released-on-medical-parole-unless-you-have-covid19/

Massachusetts high court rules younger adults cannot be sentenced to life without parole, https://whdh.com/news/massachusetts-high-court-rules-younger-adults-cannot-be-sentenced-to-life-without-parole/