The Sentencing

The 2020 census shows that in at least one moment in time, the number of incarcerated people was lower than 10 years ago. But how can we make decarceration more than a trend? How can we make it a destination?Today we're reading There Are Fewer People Behind Bars Now Than There Were 10 Years Ago. Will It Last?Learn more about our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSS. We'll be teaching videography, photography, storytelling, and other below-the-line production skills to about-to-be and formerly incarcerated people. Subscribe to the email list, make a donation, or discover a non-financial way to contribute.Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.com.This episode of The Sentencing was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations across the nation that are interrupting mass incarceration. Thank you for listening!© JWA | Decarcerator Media | 2021

Overall arrest rates in the United States have seriously dropped since the 1990s, just like incarceration rates. However, both are still extremely high compared to other countries. Let's take a look.Today we're reading part of a report published in May 2021 by the Vera Institute of Justice titled Arrest Trends: Suburban Police Are Driving the Use Of Arrests.I'll also be referencing data from PEW, the CCJ Task Force On Policing, and Fatal Encounters.Learn how you can contribute to our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSS, here.Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.com.This episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

The police-involved shootings that get the most attention tend to happen in city centers and suburbs. But what's happening with our rural neighbors? Things can't be all hunky dory, can they?Today we're going line-by-line through How Police Shootings Play Out In Rural AmericaClick here to support our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSSFind more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Megan Lundstrum lived a sheltered life in Greeley, Colorado. It was difficult as a single mother of two to live on a teacher's assistant salary. A friend encouraged her to start "sugaring." It wasn't long until Lundstrum realized she wasn't just sugaring--she was prostituting. How deep into the lifestyle did she end up going? And what unlikely path did her life take as she navigated her way out of being trafficked?Tonight we're reading The Unlikely Story of a Sex Trafficking Survivor and the Instagram Account That Saved Her LifeSupport The Avery Center's groundbreaking sex trafficking research and services to those who don't want to live that life by clicking here.Learn how you can contribute to our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSS, here.Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Incarceration can wreck a person's mental health. A person's current mental illness can be exacerbated, and new conditions can develop behind bars. Prison suicides aren't uncommon. How has the pandemic affected incarcerated peoples' mental health?Today we're reading ‘They Should Have Been Watching’: Suicides Rise in Texas Prisons During PandemicFor more info on the B-HEARD program, check out this previous episode of The Sentencing: Health-First In HarlemLearn how you can contribute to our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSS, here.Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comIf you or someone you know is thinking about committing suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resourcesThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Mass incarceration and violence intersect with a dizzying number of other systems. Today, let's look at how gun violence interacts with climate change.We'll be reading How Climate Change Could Influence Gun ViolenceI mention how researchers in Philadelphia saw a substantial decrease in crime--especially gun violence--through environmental intervention. You can read about that in This city fights crime with gardeningLearn how you can contribute to our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSS, here.Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

The Biden Administration pledged to reduce the federal prison population by 50% before the end of his presidency. Today, we're taking a look at how that's been going.Today we'll be reading Biden Said He’d Cut Incarceration in Half. So Far, the Federal Prison Population Is Growing.Click here to support our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSSFind more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

In the remaining months--and days--of the Trump administration, the DOJ executed 13 people on federal death row. This was after a nearly two decade hiatus from federal executions. The DOJ under the Biden administration is taking a different tone.Today we're reading U.S. Won't Seek Death Penalty In 7 Cases, Signaling A Shift Under BidenCheck out Conservatives Concerned About The Death Penalty to read more of the quotes I featured in the episodeClick here to support our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSSFind more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Police reform following George Floyd's (and Bre's and so many more...) has generally been scattered and slow moving. One generally shared objective for police and reformists is to change--or limit--the responsibilities police have to handle. These sorts of initiatives often make things safer for the person needing help as well as law enforcement. New York City launched B-Heard, a pilot program that responds to non-violent mental health calls by sending social workers alongside paramedics instead of cops. How has it been going? Find out in today's episode.We're reading two articles today about the same subject, NYC Readies to Send Social Workers Into Uncharted Territory — 911 Mental Health Calls and NYC's Non-Police Mental Health Pilot Increasing Rate of Those Getting Aid, Data ShowLearn how you can contribute to our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSS, here. (Merch is coming soon!)Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

A bill with bipartisan support was signed by the governor in my home state of Missouri. It's being celebrated as a criminal justice and police reform bill. But how much does it actually reform, and will it decarcerate our system?On today's episode, we're reading Bipartisan police, criminal justice reform bill banning chokeholds signed into lawClick here to support our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSSFind more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

This year marks the 50th anniversary of when then-President Nixon declared war on drugs. So, how have we done?We're reading 50-year war on drugs imprisoned millions of Black AmericansRead about how Nixon's war on drugs targeted "the antiwar left and black people," according to a former aide, in Legalize It All: How To Win The War On DrugsClick here to support our new prison diversion and re-entry program--RLENTLSS--which was inspired by this anniversaryFind more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded in the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

We get to hang out and talk about civil (and criminal) forfeiture with Kevin Heade. Kevin is a criminal defense attorney, President of Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona, and a board member of Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice.First, we'll read Maine Abolishes Civil Forfeiture, Now Requires A Criminal Conviction To Take PropertyIf you're the type of person who wants to see an end to the death penalty, I encourage you to make a contribution to Death Penalty Alternatives For Arizona. They're doing important work.Learn how you can contribute to our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSS, here.Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Let's explore diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration. Want to decarcerate our system? Diversion and alternatives to incarceration are the way to go.Today we're reading Building exits off the highway to mass incarceration: Diversion programs explainedCheck out Upstream by Dan HeathLearn how you can contribute to our own prison diversion, RLENTLSS, here.Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Thousands of people convicted of non-violent offenses were released from federal prisons throughout the pandemic. They were sent mostly to home confinement. But will Biden's administration force them to return or commute their sentences for good behavior?We're reading Biden Legal Team Decides Inmates Must Return to Prison After Covid EmergencyClick here to support our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSSFind more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio. It was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

We've got a special guest for you today. Na'im is a decarcerated man from South Central Los Angeles. He now leads SWAGG INC., a non-profit that provides prevention, pre-entry, and re-entry services in Kansas City, MO. He'll read some excerpts from the emotional memoir he's writing. We'll also get to hear from two SWAGG interns on their experience working inside the criminal justice system.To learn more about SWAGG INC., sign up for the email list, and to make a donation, visit https://www.swagginc.orgLearn how you can contribute to our new prison diversion and re-entry program, RLENTLSS, here.Find more content about mass incarceration, decarceration, policing, and criminal justice reform on our new media platform www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was ideated, produced, and delivered by Jay W. Austin (aka Jay Dub). Jay Dub runs JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing services to organizations interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Many jails and prisons have something called "inmate welfare funds." The funds are filled by payments from currently incarcerated people and their families as they pay for things like access to phone calls. And the money is supposed to be used for things like educational programming behind bars. But who owns the phone lines? And has anyone ever misused the money inside the welfare funds?We'll start by reading Prison Telecom Giant Offers Aid to Prisoners—for a PriceThen we'll look through a story about a Sheriff misusing the money he received from those telecom providers in How Sacramento sheriff used inmate welfare fund for cameras, fencing — and a Tahoe resortAnd finish with a story similar to that one, but with a better ending. It's titled County must reimburse inmates fundLearn more about RLENTLSS, our new prison diversion and re-entry program coming soon to AtlantaDive into more content we've created for the next generation of decarcerators at www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio in downtown Kansas City. It was ideated, hosted, and produced by Jay Dub--owner of JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing and messaging services to orgs interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Hunter Brittain was fatally shot by an Arkansas deputy. A civil rights activist and a public defense attorney have come to elevate his voice. But you may be surprised at who they are.We'll start by reading Why Al Sharpton and Ben Crump are taking up the case of a White teen killed by policeGeorge Floyd Justice In Policing Act, the specifics about body cameras Mapping Police Violence and Police Violence ReportLonoke County, AR, budgets for 2019, 2020, and 2021Learn more about RLENTLSS, our new prison diversion and re-entry program coming soon to AtlantaDive into more content we've created for the next generation of decarcerators at www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was ideated and produced by Jay Dub--owner of JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing and messaging services to orgs interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Qualified immunity has been a hot button topic in police reform, but one that encouraged people from many ideologies to work together. Especially following George Floyd's murder. But now that we're more than a year out, has anything changed?We'll start with an article titled Clarence Thomas, the Supreme Court's Most Conservative Justice, Trashes Qualified Immunity AgainFrom there, we'll dive into some individual examples of when qualified immunity protected horse shit police behavior, like: This Suicidal, Gasoline-Drenched Man Burned to Death After Cops Tased Him. A Federal Court Says That's Reasonable Force, Over 24 Cops Raided the Wrong Address and Wrecked an Elderly Man's Home. They All Got Qualified Immunity, Court Rules Cop Who Shot Unarmed 15-Year-Old Is Protected by Qualified Immunity, and Court Rules Police Officer Who Shot 10-Year-Old Is Protected by Qualified ImmunityThen we moved into Limiting Qualified Immunity for Cops Was a Bipartisan Issue After George Floyd’s Murder. What Happened? Read more info about the new law in Colorado in Colorado Tries New Way To Punish Rogue CopsGet an update on the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act in Congressional policing reform negotiations continue despite setbacksAnd if you feel like punishing yourself by reading the former police chief's article and hypocritical quote, be my guest. RICHARDS: The Democratic Crime Bill Will End Policing As We Know It and MPD Chief to step down May 31 to enjoy grandkids, advocate for police forceLearn more about RLENTLSS, our new prison diversion and re-entry program coming soon to AtlantaDive into more content we've created for the next generation of decarcerators at www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio in downtown Kansas City. It was ideated, hosted, and produced by Jay Dub--owner of JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing and messaging services to orgs interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

How many people with felony records are eligible to vote but don't know it?Our main article today is Millions of People With Felonies Can Now Vote. Most Don't Know It.We'll also take a look at What Do We Really Know About the Politics of People Behind Bars?And if you're curious about Crystal Mason's situation, you can read about it hereLearn more about RLENTLSS, our new prison diversion and re-entry program coming soon to AtlantaDive into more content we've created for the next generation of decarcerators at www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio in downtown Kansas City. It was ideated, hosted, and produced by Jay Dub--owner of JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing and messaging services to orgs interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021

Ever wonder how many people go to the ER after a police interaction? Lots. Finding nationwide data about this is nearly impossible, so we'll take a look at San Jose, California.Today we're reading Violent Encounters With Police Send Thousands of People to the ER Every Year And Cities Spend Millions On Police Misconduct Every Year. Here’s Why It’s So Difficult to Hold Departments AccountableHere's some force analysis data from the San Jose Police DepartmentAs well as the blog post written by the mayor of San Jose about enhancing police accountabilityLearn more about RLENTLSS, our new prison diversion and re-entry program coming soon to AtlantaDive into more content we've created for the next generation of decarcerators at www.decarcerator.comThis episode of The Sentencing was recorded at the homie's Unmastered Studio in downtown Kansas City. It was ideated, hosted, and produced by Jay Dub--owner of JWA, an agency providing fierce marketing and messaging services to orgs interrupting mass incarceration.© JWA | 2021