Closer Look: Criminal Justice Reform and Transitional and Re-Entry Services

Thursday on “Closer Look with Rose Scott”:

• Today’s special edition of “Closer Look” focuses on criminal justice reform and transitional and re-entry services.
• 0:00: First, Rose gives a news brief about the approach of Hurricane Florence, as heavy rain and tropical storm winds have started impacting the coast of the Carolinas. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has already issued a state of emergency for all 159 counties in the state. We get updates about the potential impact of Hurricane Florence from Sid King, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, and Andrew Gobeil, deputy director of policy and communications for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• 3:35: Following the death of her young son, Susan Burton struggled for many years with substance abuse and found herself incarcerated several times. She eventually found help through a treatment program. Burton used her life experiences to help others and founded the non-profit “A New Way of Life”, which provides re-entry services for formerly incarcerated women and their children. She also co-authored the book, “Becoming Ms. Burton”.

• 25:29: We hear part of a conversation with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal about the state’s criminal justice reform initiatives since he has been in office.
• 40:59: Last month, President Donald Trump spoke with Governors and State Attorneys General from around the nation about prison reform and efforts to help those who were formerly incarcerated to receive job skills training. One of the attendees of that meeting was Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, who has made criminal justice reform a key part of his administration during his time in office. We look at local efforts and services to provide transitional and re-entry services in a roundtable discussion. We hear from Dr. Katherine Perry, coordinator for the Georgia State University Prison Education Project, and Wende Ballew, executive director for Reforming Arts.

Closer Look is produced by Candace Wheeler and Emilia Brock.