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Most people believe that life sentences keep people safe, but the evidence actually points to the opposite. In fact, life sentences were never originally designed to last for life.\\xa0\\xa0

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In this episode, Hunter speaks with two individuals from the Sentencing Project: Campaign Strategist to End Life Imprisonment Alexandra Bailey and Senior Research Analyst Nazgol Ghandnoosh.

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They will share evidence to support their claim that safer communities can be created without harsh sentencing. Then, they\\u2019ll explain ways that life imprisonment and mandatory minimum negatively affect both families and the criminal system as a whole.

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Alexandra and Nazgol both agree that life without parole should be abolished completely, and they\\u2019ll give you more effective alternatives that could be implemented instead of harsh sentencing.\\xa0

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By the time you\\u2019re done listening, you\\u2019ll be questioning whether the United States has gone too far when it comes to sentencing.\\xa0

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Key Topics and Takeaways:

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• Nazgol shares her background. [5:36]
• Why life sentences aren\\u2019t actually helpful. [7:13]
• Tough on crime. [9:05]
• How lengthy sentences have impacted the criminal system. [12:49]
• Extreme sentences and age. [20:19]
• Why life without parole sentences should be abolished entirely. [41:42]
• Mandatory minimums. [47:30]
• Alternatives to harsh sentencing. [53:25]

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Guests:

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Alexandra Bailey, Campaign Strategist to End Life Imprisonment, Sentencing Project\\xa0

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Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Senior Research Analyst, Sentencing Project

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Resources:

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Sentencing Project\\xa0

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Lawanda Hollister

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Memorable Quotes:

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\\u201cThe death penalty needs to be abolished. It\'s a barbaric, antiquated punishment that does not serve any function in a modern, civilized society at all. It\'s gotta go away.\\u201d (1:22, Hunter)

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\\u201cIf policing and incarceration made a nation safe, this would be the safest nation on earth.\\u201d (9:53 Alexandra)

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\\u201cWhen you imprison someone for decades on end, you are holding people incarcerated who are no longer a public safety risk. In several cases like this, the person who they harmed or the survivors of their crime no longer want them to even be incarcerated. But the system\'s hands are tied by mandatory sentencing policies.\\u201d (16:25, Nazgol)

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\\u201cIf mandatory minimums and these extreme sentences are not working, and they\'re not, then we need to figure out what we\'re gonna do about it.\\u201d (27:52, Alexandra)

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\\u201cLife sentences and extreme sentences are not only ineffective, but they\'re actually counterproductive. They\'re preventing us from actually pursuing policies that would effectively reduce crime rates and prevent future victimization.\\u201d (42:54, Nazgol)

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\\u201cPeople are human and I think we have to look at this whole system with a lot more compassion.\\u201d (55:01, Alexandra)

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Contact Hunter Parnell:
hwparnell@publicdefenseless.com

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www.publicdefenseless.com