Libsyn Directory

436 | The New York Laws that Could Chip Away at the State's Mass Incarceration Policies w/Thomas Gant

Release Date: 01/22/2026

450 | How Has New York's Bail Reform Laws Impacted Public Safety? w/Rene Ropac

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by René Ropac of the Data Collaborative for Justice to discuss their newest report on the impacts, or lack thereof, of New York’s bail reforms. Guest: René Ropac, Senior Research Associate, Data Collaborative for Justice Resources: Read the Report Contact Rene Learn More about DCJ Sign up for the ABA Public Defender Summit Contact Hunter...

449 | How the People of Minneapolis Organized to Resist ICE, CBP, and DHS w/Brandon Garcia, Maggie Bott, and Bob Kolstad

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by three people, Maggie Bott, Brandon Garcia, and Bob Kolstad, who have lived through the federal occupation of Minneapolis. They join the show to detail what ICE, CBP, and DHS have been doing in the city and how the city has organized and resisted those efforts. Guest: Brandon Garcia, Policy Aide to City Council President Elliot Page, Minneapolis, Minnesota Maggie Bott, Public Defender, Hennepin County, Minnesota Bob Kolstad, Public Defender, Hennepin County, Minnesota Resources: Mutual Aid to Minnesota Sign up for the ABA...

448 | How the History of the New York Police Department Reveals the Essential Problems with Policing w/Matthew Guariglia

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter spoke with Matthew Guariglia, a historian, scholar, and author of the book Police and the Empire City: Race and the Origins of Modern Policing in New York. In it, Matthew walks the read through the early history of the New York Police Department. By learning this history, the hope is that people understand what some of the essential characteristics of American policing are. Hopefully by understanding the essential characteristics, people can fully understand how and why police operate they way they do. Guest: Matthew Guariglia, Historian, Scholar, Author,...

447 | Why did an Oregon Public Defender Sue the Oregon Public Defense Commission? Part 2 w/Stacey Lowe

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter spoke w/Stacey Lowe, Executive Director of the Southwest Oregon Public Defender Services. They discussed why Stacey joined Shannon Wilson’s lawsuit challenging the new contract conditions put in place by the Oregon Public Defense Commission. Guest: Stacey Lowe, Executive Director, Southwest Oregon Public Defender Services Resources: SWOPDS Contact Stacey Read More About the Suit OPDC Response “We are unable to comment on pending litigation, but for questions about workload standards, I refer you to pages...

446 | Why did an Oregon Public Defender Sue the Oregon Public Defense Commission? Part 1 w/Shannon Wilson and Stephen Hanlon

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter spoke w/Shannon Wilson and Stephen Hanlon. Last fall, Shannon, the Executive Director of the Marion County Public Defender, filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Public Defense Commission to challenge new requirements in Oregon Public Defender contracts. Now, Shannon and Stephen join the show to explain why and what comes next for Oregon Public Defense. Guest: Shannon Wilson, Executive Director, Marion County Public Defender, Oregon Stephen Hanlon, Public Interest Lawyer Resources: Contact Shannon Read More About the Suit (The hearing can be found...

445 | How We Can Improve Public Safety with Mercy and Compassion w/Emily Galvin Almanza

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Emily Galvin Almanza, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Partners for Justice and author of a new book, The Price of Mercy. In it, Emily expertly weaves together stories from her decades of work in Public Defense with social science that shows the benefits of non-carceral solutions to public safety issues. Guest: Emily Galvin Almanza, Author, The Price of Mercy, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Partners for Justice Resources: Pick up a Copy of the Book!! Follow Emily on Social Media Sign up for the ABA Public...

444 | What Can Help Fix the Public Defense Crisis in Rural California? w/Luke Brownfield

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by Luke Brownfield, the Chief Public Defender in Humboldt County, California. With a shortage of attorneys willing to come to the county and the county being short on funding, Luke and his team face serious issues with workloads. Without more support from the state, it is unclear how Luke and his team will tackle the workload crisis without going unavailable like the San Francisco Public Defender Office. Guest: Luke Brownfield, Chief Public Defender, Humboldt County, California Resources: Read the Report Contact the Office ...

443 | Will San Joaquin County Public Defenders be the Next Office to Stop Taking New Cases? w/Judyanne Vallado

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined by Judyanne Vallado, the Chief Public Defender in San Joaquin County, California. With a tough on crime DA and large amounts of gun crime, the San Joaquin County Public Defenders have long delt with difficult workloads, but now, with Prop 36 prosecutions increasing felony charges, the office may soon have to make the choice about when enough is enough. Guest: Judyanne Vallado, Chief Public Defender, San Joaquin County, California Resources: Learn more about the Office Here Contact Judyanne jvallado@sjgov.org Read more about issues in the...

442 | How Alameda County Public Defense is Dealing w/Increased Workloads and ICE at the Courthouse w/Brendon Woods

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter was joined once again by Alameda County Chief Public Defender Brendon Woods. This time, they discuss how the office is handling their ever increasing workload due to Prop 36, how ICE enforcement is impacting their clients and communities, and why the state of California desperately needs to give county public defenders the protections they need to be independent voices for their communities. Guest: Brendon Woods, Chief Public Defender, Alameda County, California Resources: Learn more about the Office Here ICE Around Alameda County Public Defender Independence Sign up for...

441 | With Dems in Control, Will Virginia Finally Pass More Progressive Criminal Justice Policies? w/Rob Poggenklass and Bryan Kennedy

Public Defenseless

Today, Hunter spoke once again with Rob Poggenklass and Bryan Kennedy from Justice Forward Virginia. Last year, Justice Forward Virginia joined the show to discuss the 2025 criminal justice policies being floated in Virginia. Today, Rob and Bryan are here to discuss what the 2026 legislative session has in store for criminal justice reform in Virginia, and how things might be different now that the Dems control all three branches of government. Guest Rob Poggenklass, Executive Director, Justice Forward Virginia Bryan Kennedy, Public Defender, Fairfax County, Treasurer, Justice...

More Episodes

Today, Hunter was joined by Thomas Gant, a Community Organizer with the Center for Community Alternatives. Thomas joins the show to describe three different bills pending in New York that could chip away at the impacts of mass incarceration.

Guest:

Thomas Gant, Community Organizer, Center for Community Alternatives

Resources:

Email Thomas

tgant@communityalternatives.org

Join the Coalition here

https://www.communitiesnotcagesny.org/take-action

https://www.communityalternatives.org/

Contact Hunter Parnell:

Publicdefenseless@gmail.com

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