juvie show

juvie

Summary: “juvie” is a podcast exploring cases, legislation, experiences, and ramifications of children and youth in juvenile justice and adult criminal justice systems

Join Now to Subscribe to this Podcast

Podcasts:

 27 Suspended – The Viola Player | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 23:37

A look at the first signs that, if not handled properly, a child could be precipitated towards involvement with the criminal justice system. We meet Alex (not his real name), a diminutive 10-year-old 4th-Grader who was born nearly 2 months prematurely, and who was recently suspended from school for several days for an assault on another boy. His mother, Beth, describes what kind of boy Alex is, emotionally, socially, cognitively and academically. When Alex returns from school, he treats us to a tune on the viola. In future episodes, we will be delving into Alex’s history from birth, and considering some of the developmental and family factors that may have contributed to his personality and tendency towards occasional violent outbursts. Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; It’s Like Trying to Speak Swahili with Gandhi    

 26 Monsters, How They Call Us – Ben Lear on His Film Debut | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 31:39

Ben Lear talks about his documentary film, They Call Us Monsters, which follows three Hispanic teenagers, Jarad, Juan and Antonio, incarcerated in The Compound, the high-security facility in the middle of Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in California’s Los Angeles County, as they themselves create a screenplay for a short film under the guidance of film-director teacher, Gabriel Cowan. We examine the historical criminal justice context in which California has passed a number of forward-thinking juvenile justice bills over the past five years, bills which will have a significant impact on the trajectory of the three boys’ cases. During filming, California Senate Bill 260 was debated, and passed, creating a parole process that takes into account the age of juvenile offenders convicted in adult court, and granting a chance at parole after 15-25 years. Finally, Ben updates us on how Jarad, Juan, Antonio and their families are doing, three years after the boys were convicted for their crimes, and describes how Juan’s little sister has been inspired by the family tragedy to become an advocate and spokesperson for juvenile justice. Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; It’s Like Trying to Speak Swahili with Gandhi  

 25 Coming of Age – A Valentine’s Invitation | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 47:47

Jeffrey Deskovic, who lost half his teenage years and all his twenties to wrongful incarceration, is looking for a date for the evening of Valentine’s Day 2017, so we invite eligible single women to listen closely. He talks about the social challenges he faced after exoneration as a result of being in prison at the crucial period when teenagers and young men are forming friendship groups, and experimenting with dating and romantic relationships.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Jeffrey talks affectionately about the non-romantic prison and post-exoneration relationships that have been important and influential for him, with other prisoners, prison authority figures, a long-distance stranger, his family, brother Chris, a college dean, and fellow exoneree Richard Rosario, and relates some humorous incidents in his life that have made even untenable situations bearable. He also engages in a bit of back-and-forth banter with Zoe about what women want! If you are interested in being Jeffrey’s date for Valentine’s night, please send a photo and brief description of yourself to Jeffrey or juvie:                                                                                     Jeffrey Deskovic: j.deskovic@hotmail.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            juvie Podcast: juviepodcast@gmail.com Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; It’s Like Trying to Speak Swahili with Gandhi

 24 Coming to Harm – Boy With a Knife | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 19:23

Last year, Jean Trounstine published her book Boy with a Knife: A Story of Murder, Remorse, and a Prisoner’s Fight for Justice, in which she tells the story of Karter Kane Reed and his journey from angry 16-year-old who killed and was incarcerated as an adult, to working, public-speaking, home-owning thirty-something member of free society. Jean talks about the kinds of cultural influences, notions of loyalty and experiences that precipitate boys towards violence, such as those portrayed in the film The Outsiders, some acknowledged by Karter himself. We reflect on the resistance of some to those who killed as teenagers being released, in the light of the Montgomery v. Louisiana SCOTUS ruling of January 2016, which will permit many who were sentenced as juveniles to Life Without Parole to go free in the coming months and years. Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; It’s Like Trying to Speak Swahili with Gandhi

 23 Invitation to Step Outside | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 21:57

We talk on the phone to Giovanni Reid, our featured juvenile lifer, in the morning and afternoon of December 22nd. Things are starting to move for juvenile lifers in general, and for Giovanni in particular. He has now been given another date to look forward to, apart from his next status hearing on January 13th – and it isn’t Christmas. He might need some more boxes…….. Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?

 22 Checkpoint Correctional & Checkpoint Status | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 24:37

Negotiating the prison-visiting entry procedure is a grim and unforgiving experience. After getting over the access hurdles, we visit with featured juvenile lifer, Giovanni Reid, at Graterford State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania, and discover that the atmosphere in the prisoners’ confined basement visiting room is more congenial than in the open reception area, upstairs. Giovanni is hearty, healthy and upbeat, belying the oppressive environment in which he has lived for the past 25 years. The next morning, in Center City Philadelphia criminal court, a status hearing is held on Giovanni, kicking off the judicial and administrative process of his being resentenced under January’s Montgomery vs. Louisiana SCOTUS ruling. This ruling made retroactive the 2012 Miller vs. Alabama SCOTUS ruling against mandatory Life Without Parole for juveniles. Because Giovanni was 16 at the time of his arrest, he is eligible for a new sentence that is more in keeping with that juvenile status, and which gives him the possibility of release, very soon. Giovanni’s dad, 85-year-old “Pop” Jimmy Reid, attends the hearing, and definitely has a new pep in his stride. La Tasha Williams, Giovanni’s long-term advocate, breaks down the resentencing process for us, and explains the significance of the ongoing Qu’eed Batts appeal against his own resentencing to juvenile Life Without Parole. Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; It’s Like Trying to Speak Swahili with Gandhi

 21 Carrot & Stick – False Confession | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:05:48

In animated conversation with New York State exonerees, Jeffrey Deskovic and David McCallum, who were both charged with murder at age 16, and spent 16 and 29 years in prison, respectively: They talk in depth about the nature of teenage false confession, describing their own experiences, expounding on the red flags that indicate a confession may not be genuine, and outlining laws and procedures that would make false confession by juveniles less likely. Zoe reflects on developmental context. If you ever thought that no-one would confess to a murder they didn’t commit, this episode will provide you with detailed insight into why they do, and often, and why teenagers are particularly vulnerable to making false confessions. See Episode 21 under the PHOTOS tab for pictures of Jeffrey and David as teenagers. Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; It’s Like Trying to Speak Swahili with Gandhi  

 20 Chomping at the Bit | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 32:08

Frustration is perhaps more acute when there’s a hold-up on the brink of life-altering change, than during decades of hopeless stagnation. As Giovanni Reid waits for things to move on his resentencing, he talks on the phone about his impatience, what he sees happening with other prisoners in his situation, and the benefits of parole for the initial period following release. Meanwhile, he’s busy with trade and re-entry classes, ruefully anticipating not being able to help other prisoners with the legal aspects of their cases, and reflecting on possible employment paths.

 19 Thanksgiving in Prison | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 11:46

Giovanni Reid, our featured juvenile lifer, talks to juvie on the phone about what Thanksgiving is like in prison, the foods he remembers, his memory of his last Thanksgiving dinner outside prison in 1990, what Thanksgiving has meant to him since that time, and what he is thankful for this year.

 18 Forty-Two Years & Hoping – Giovanni’s Birthday | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:54

As Giovanni Reid turns 42, we talk with his older sister, Theresa Reid, who describes him growing up, and during the 25 years since his incarceration. We hear about the family and community environment into which Giovanni was born, and about his three closest friends, with whom he was to head for dawn disaster. This is the first adult birthday that Giovanni can celebrate with hopes of rejoining his family….. Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Voice of “Pop” Jimmy Reid – Jimmy Reid Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; It’s Like Trying to Speak Swahili with Gandhi

 17 Going Mainstream – Giovanni’s TV Debut | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 24:31

We expand upon and review the ABC27 News recent television piece on Pennsylvania juvenile lifers’ resentencing and possible release following a January Supreme Court ruling, for which Giovanni Reid was interviewed by the channel’s anchor, Dennis Owens. In conversation with La Tasha Williams, we talk about how the public might have received the piece, and the drawback of juxtaposing the broader issue of juvenile lifers being released with Giovanni’s personal story of his innocence claim on a short, quick-fired 5-minute TV slot. We also have a bit of fun with Dennis Owens’ naming of this podcast!

 15 New & Noteworthy – Call to Action | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 6:54

A Call to Action from this new, 2-month-old podcast, noteworthy for being the only podcast devoted solely to children, youth and criminal justice. Zoe gives a brief overview of what the podcast is about, announces a new, regular schedule for the Giovanni Reid wrongful conviction episodes, and asks you to support juvie, so we can continue to bring you quality content, and expand our activities in scope, and geographically. Subscribe to juvie for email alerts. Please donate by clicking on the Donate buttons on each page of the juvie website, or monthly at Patreon Follow us on social media: Twitter; Facebook Buy juvie merchandise at juvieSwag Intro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Crayon Thesis

 14 Juvenile Justice News Roundup | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 11:10

Thank you to our supporters via Patreon and our website Donate button! Trial date set for Virginia’s lunchtime milk grabber; Juvenile Law Center examines “debtors’ prison for kids”; DC and California support laws promoting rehabilitation over incarceration for juveniles and young adult offenders; California seeks to standardize juvenile justice-related data collection. Intro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Crayon Thesis

 13 Always, Giovanni – Letter from Giovanni Reid | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 6:02

An incarcerated podcast listener, a scuppered prison visit, inappropriate attire, and some lifer literature. We relate some of the logistics and drawbacks of visiting the incarcerated. Meanwhile, Giovanni Reid continues to keep up with our coverage of his case, and to keep us informed about juvenile-lifer news. Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Voice of Giovanni Reid: Lewis M Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; It’s Like Trying to Speak Swahili with Gandhi

 11 Youth Justice Awareness Month – Marcy Mistrett Interview | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 31:49

A summons to Action in spreading Awareness about juvenile justice! Did you know that in the United States, children who commit crimes, whatever their age, start out automatically in the adult criminal justice system, and that most defense attorneys who work with children and youth have no specialist knowledge or training in child and adolescent developmental factors? Did you know that a 12-year-old will be completely cut off from any parental access if they are processed through the adult system? If you would like to know what really goes on when children and youth come into contact with the American criminal justice system, listen in. You are bound to learn a thing or few that will surprise, and even shock you. We talk to Marcy Mistrett, CEO at the Campaign for Youth Justice in Washington DC, a national advocacy organization committed to ending the prosecution, sentencing, and incarceration of children and youth in the adult criminal justice system. Every year, in October, CFYJ  promotes Youth Justice Awareness Month. We talk about some of the juvenile justice issues important for public awareness. For more information on how you can participate and initiate events, even if it’s just in your living room:    http://www.campaignforyouthjustice.org/yjam/ Intro / Outro: Jeffrey Deskovic Music: Chameleon Catholics – Where’s Cush?; Crayon Thesis

Comments

Login or signup comment.