Before They Could Dream: An Exploration of Youth Justice and Incarceration in the United States

Before They Could Dream is a seven-episode podcast series that explores the history, lived experiences, and lasting impact of youth incarceration in the United States.  The Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions (AIFCS), in partnership with the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY) and Green Buzz Agency, set out to tell the story of youth incarceration in the United States from the perspective of six people who were given extreme sentences as children. The series explores each person’s early childhood, the dreams they once imagined, their remorse for choices they made under often dire circumstances, and the consequences that have followed them into adulthood. Each story is grounded in factual, legal, and historical context provided by a group of experts across various fields. Together, they illuminate a system most Americans rarely see and the realities young people face when the law decides their futures before they can dream.

Featured Podcast Guests

• Podcast Host: Abd’Allah Lateef, Deputy Director, CFSY
• Episode 2: Donnell Drinks, Leadership and Development Engagement Coordinator, CFSY
• Episode 3: Catherine Jones, Co-Director of Outreach and Partnership Development, CFSY
• Episode 4: Eddie Ellis, Co-Director of Outreach and Member Services, CFSY
• Episode 5: April Barber Scales, Founder, Fenced In: Fighting for Freedom Advocacy
• Episode 6: James Carpenter, Co-Executive Director, Neighbors for Justice DC

 Additional Experts Include:

• Eduardo Bocanegra, Interim Executive Director of the Noah’s Arc Foundation and former Senior Advisor at the Office of the Attorney General for the Department of Justice of the United States
• Dr. Robert Kinscherff, Executive Director of the Center for Law, Brain and Behavior 
• Marsha Levick, co-founder and former chief legal officer of the Juvenile Law Center
• ayoola mitchell, founder of the National Healing Collective, mom, and survivor
• Joshua Rovner, Senior Research Analyst at The Sentencing Project, a research and advocacy organization working to advance effective and humane responses to crime that minimize imprisonment and criminalization of youth and adults by promoting racial, ethnic, economic, and gender justice
• Yasmin Vafa, co-founder and Executive Director of Rights4Girls, an advocacy organization working for the dignity and rights of young women and girls so that every girl can be safe and live a life free of violence and exploitation  

Tune in on Tuesdays for the Latest Episodes from this Podcast Series, through 04/07/2026

Learn how you can support young people and organizations who are reimagining justice in the United States: Youth Justice Resources

Themes may include physical, mental, and sexual abuse and suicide along with adult language.

A partnered production of The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions (AIFCS), The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY), Green Buzz Agency and our expert panelists.