Debating Pennsylvania’s prison system

Hour 1

Two months ago, we had Pennsylvania’s Corrections Secretary JOHN WETZEL on the show, discussing his work leading the commonwealth’s corrections policy, management and reform. Wetzel, who rose up through the ranks from corrections officer to cabinet secretary, is also part of a coalition working to reform some aspects of the Pennsylvania prison system. During and after that show, we heard from critics of the state’s prison systems as part of the Decarcerate PA coalition, which seeks nothing less than “an end to mass incarceration and the harm it brings to our communities.” They challenged Secretary Wetzel to a debate on our show, and he readily accepted, and that’s today’s Radio Times – another look at prisons and corrections reform in Pennsylvania. Joining Secretary Wetzel in our studio is SARAH MORRIS, a founding member of Decarcerate PA and a coordinator of the Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project, which works to end the practice of trying and incarcerating young people as adults.

Listen to the mp3

Listen:
[audio: 080112_100630.mp3]