Eve Hanan wrote a law review article called Terror and Tenderness in Criminal Law that blew my mind. She makes the argument that opportunities for leniency in the criminal legal system -- parole, clemency, compassionate release -- seduce us into believing the system is just and merciful, when in reality, the system is far too harsh for far too many. She even takes on the idea of hope and suggests that hope is a distraction from the challenges of our system and the path toward real and meaningful reform. I hope you'll enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. 

Episode Links:

To learn more about Jessica Henry go to www.jessicahenryjustice.com

This week on Just Justice we talk with Marissa Bluestine, Assistant Director of the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Marissa is a former innocence lawyer and one of the nation's leading experts on Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs). CIUs are specialized units within prosecutor offices that review convictions with strong claims of actual innocence. Marissa guides us through the work of CIUs to identify wrongful convictions and exonerate the innocent, and gives us an insider perspective on what works and what doesn't. Join us for this fascinating episode.

To learn more about Marissa Bluestine and the work of the Quattrone Center:

To learn more about CIUs:

To learn more about Jessica Henry:

Steve Zeidman is a criminal defense hero who has spent his entire career fighting for people with nowhere else to turn. In this episode, Steve walks us through some of his most compelling efforts to gain freedom for people who would otherwise spend their lives in prison. Steve's zealous advocacy for second chances will leave you inspired by his work and horrified by a criminal legal system that seems to prioritize finality over humanity and justice.

One night, in November 1994, Dina Windle was coming from law school in Little Rock, Arkansas when she was abducted and raped. The man who assaulted her was sentenced to die for a different rape and murder. In this episode of Just Justice, Dina shares the story of her assault, the trial and its aftermath, and how she came to be an advocate for the man who caused her such harm. Small in stature, huge in heart and compassion, Dina Windle is Chief Investigator at the NJ Office of the Public Defender. Dina also serves on the Board of Journey of Hope... From Violence to Healing, a nonprofit organization led by family members of murder victims that works to end the death penalty and calls for more constructive responses to violent crimes. Warning: this episode includes discussion of sexual assault and violence, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

Have you ever wondered about forgiveness after a murder? How do surviving family members forgive the person who murdered their loved ones? Who gives forgiveness? Who gets it? What makes one person forgive and another not? Join me in conversation with Dr. Kristen Discola, author of Redefining Murder, Transforming Emotion: An Exploration of Forgiveness after Loss Due to Homicide, as we discuss the science of forgiveness in the context of murder.  Along the way, we explore what role, if any, forgiveness can play in the pursuit of second chances for people who committed homicide. And we talk about her work in teaching forgiveness to people who are incarcerated.  

Learn more about Dr. Kristen Discola:

For links to Kristen's book and for other resources, head to her website:

https://kristendiscola.com/ or connect with her on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/KristenLeeDiscola

Learn more about Jessica Henry:

Listen to Just Justice, my new podcast. 

Watch my TEDx talk No-Crime Wrongful Convictions here.

Website: http://jessicahenryjustice.com/ 

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