Pubdate: Sun, 19 Mar 2006
Source: Dayton Daily News (OH)
Copyright: 2006 Dayton Daily News
Contact:  http://www.daytondailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/120
Author: Bob Batz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?247 (Crime Policy - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/racial.htm (Racial Issues)

PROGRAM ASKS: 'JUSTICE FOR ALL?

Discussion About Sentencing, Prison System, More

DAYTON - When staffers at ThinkTV Channel 16 and 14 joined members of
the legal community to put together a public affairs program on
tough-on-crime policies, they weren't quite sure what to expect. But
they found out in a hurry.

"I think viewers will be surprised that in the past 30 years the U.S.
prison population has increased 500 percent, Ohio prison budgets have
gone from $50 million to $1.7 billion and increased incarceration
rates have disproportionately affected blacks, who are imprisoned in
Ohio at a rate eight times higher than whites," said Gloria Skurski,
executive producer of the hour-long Justice for All?

Skurski -- ThinkTV's director of broadcast services -- said the idea for
the program was born during conversations with U.S. District Judge
Walter Rice, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey
Froelich and Dayton Daily News Managing Editor Steve Sidlo.

"They were particularly concerned about the effect of tough-on-crime
sentencing mandates, particularly on minorities, and they hoped to
help the public understand a little more about our current situation,"
Skurski said, adding, "I hope Justice for All? takes a small step in
that direction."

During the show, host Ray Suarez -- senior correspondent for NewsHour
with Jim Lehrer moderates a panel discussion about the effects of the
war on drugs and zero tolerance policies, focusing on policing,
sentencing and prisoner reentry. The panel also discusses the effects
of mass incarceration on communities of color, and the long-term
financial and public safety implications of a growing prison population.

"The hardest part was trying to limit our topic, because there is so
much to explore and discuss," Skurski said. "In many way, we hope this
is an introduction to the issues and a conversation starter."

[sidebar]

HOW TO WATCH

What: 'Justice for All?' a 60-minute TV public affairs program 
exploring the impact of tough-on-crime policies in the past 30 years 
that have resulted in an explosion of prison populations.

When: Premieres at 9 p.m. Tuesday on ThinkTV WPTD (Channel 16) and 10 
p.m. Wednesday on ThinkTV WPTO (Channel 14).

More info: 220-1657.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake