Counter Stories: When probation leads to prison
The co-hosts of Counter Stories look at efforts to reform Minnesota's parole and probation policies
Close to 100,000 Minnesotans are on probation, some of them for sentences of 20 or 30 years. And simple technical violations — such as missing a meeting with their parole officer — could land them back in prison.
According to a recent study, 31 percent of Minnesota’s prison population is made up of people who violated their probation.
Last month the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission approved a five year cap on probation sentences — but that cap is not retroactive.
In this episode of Counter Stories, the hosts talk with three guests who are working to reform Minnesota’s parole and probation policies.
Guests:
Kelly Lyn Mitchell is the Executive Director of the Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, and is also co-director of the Institute’s Sentencing Guidelines Resource Center
Philip Holmes and David Boehnke, members of Decarcerate Minnesota, a grassroots organization working with the Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee
Hosts:
Luz Maria Frias, Equity Coach and Founder of The Savvy Coach
Anthony Galloway, Executive Director of Arts-US
Jo Erickson, Producer, Counter Stories
Create a More Connected Minnesota
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