In last week’s episode, we exposed the unbearable conditions caused by extreme heat in Oregon prisons. This week, we follow up with the voices of those who’ve lived through it—directly responding to the Department of Corrections’ claims about how they manage heat behind bars. What emerges is a stark divide between policy and reality, and a system that continues to put lives at risk.

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

What happens when a heatwave hits—and there’s no way to cool down? In this episode of Trail Blazing Justice, we confront the deadly consequences of extreme heat inside Oregon’s prisons. From windowless cells and failing ventilation to a system that treats ice cubes like a reward, we ask: how many lives must be at risk before we act?

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

What does successful reentry really take—and why do so few get the chance? In this episode, Mark Wilson reflects on his first six months of freedom after nearly 40 years in prison and exposes the broken systems waiting on the outside. From inaccessible housing to bureaucratic cruelty, we explore why Oregon’s reentry process fails so many, and what it would take to build one rooted in dignity and support.

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

What happens when federal law enforcement stops following the rules it’s meant to uphold? 

In this edition of our Waxing Confidential series, Steve Wax breaks down ICE’s expanding power—from masked raids to secret detentions—and the constitutional dangers they pose. We explore the erosion of due process, the limits of federal authority, and what it means when the rule of law starts to slip away.

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

What does it mean to be born in America—and can a president take that away? In this episode of Waxing Confidential, Steve Wax unpacks the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. CASA, a case that may gut the power of federal courts and put birthright citizenship at risk. We explore the dangerous legal gamesmanship at play, the rise of a patchwork nation, and why this decision may be a turning point for American democracy.

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

What happens when a prison reform panel becomes a performative stall tactic? In this episode, we break down why the Oregon Justice Resource Center made the difficult decision to step away from Governor Kotek’s advisory panel on women’s prison reform. After two years of ignored recommendations, performative meetings, and worsening conditions inside Coffee Creek, we ask: is Oregon really serious about change—or just managing the optics?

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

Bobbin and Steve Wax unpack Trump’s federalization of the National Guard and the deployment of the Marines to LA, exposing the legal overreach, historical echoes, and chilling consequences of this show of force.

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

Steve's journey through the South! This week on Trail Blazing Justice, we catch up with Steve Wax on the road, as part of our Waxing Confidential series. 

Steve shares his recent tour through the South, reflecting on powerful visits to the Legacy Museum, Rosa Parks Museum, and other historical sites. We hear his vivid memories from the 1960s alongside sharp insights into how the past connects to today’s battles over history, education, and justice. It’s a moving, personal journey through a landscape still shaped by resistance, trauma, and resilience.

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

What happens when drone surveillance and DNA collection laws quietly expand under the radar? In this episode of Trailblazing Justice, we break down two alarming bills in the Oregon legislature—one that loosens restrictions on warrantless drone use, and another that allows police to collect DNA from people merely arrested, not convicted. With bipartisan support pushing these bills forward, Bobbin and Zach expose the troubling implications for civil rights, transparency, and government overreach.

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

Is it possible to meaningfully challenge solitary? In this episode, Bobbin, Mark, Julia, and Zach peel back the layers of Oregon’s opaque grievance processes, Supreme Court rulings, and procedural roadblocks that leave those incarcerated with almost no recourse to contest their placement in isolation. Tune in as we trace the history, legal hurdles, and ongoing reform efforts aimed at shining a spotlight on—and ultimately curbing (abolishing!!)—the use of solitary confinement in Oregon.

The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.