The Right On Crime Podcast

Public safety is impacted by holding young people accountable for crimes they commit, while recognizing that juvenile justice requires a different approach than the adult system. In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Right On Crime Idaho State Director Molly Lenty sits down with Kentucky and Tennessee State Director Joey Comley to explore how juvenile justice can account for a young person’s development and capacity for change while still holding them responsible for their actions—and why effective solutions must balance accountability, rehabilitation, family and community support, and public safety.

Public safety doesn’t have to choose between accountability and a second chance. In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Right On Crime’s Carley Widner sits down with justice advocate Angelina Tamez to discuss how her personal experiences with the criminal justice system shaped her approach to finding solutions. Angelina shares why being tough on crime means being thoughtful about what works, the role education and rehabilitation can play in reducing recidivism, and why understanding “what happened to you?” can be just as important as asking “what did you do?” The conversation explores juvenile justice, reentry, addiction, barriers facing people after incarceration, and the importance of effective policing and accountability.

Public safety depends on preparing people for success both during and after incarceration. In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Right On Crime Idaho State Director Molly Lenty sits down with Director Bree Derrick from the Idaho Department of Corrections to discuss incarceration, rehabilitation, and reentry in Idaho. Drawing on her experience in corrections, Derrick explains the challenges facing Idaho’s prison population, the importance of addressing substance abuse and other underlying factors, and how education and rehabilitative programming can help reduce recidivism. The conversation explores what successful reentry really looks like, the role communities and employers play in supporting people after release, and why evidence-based programs and strong correctional staff are essential to creating safer communities.

Public safety depends on creating pathways for accountability, rehabilitation, and successful reentry. In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Virginia and West Virginia Director Danny Murphy sits down with Britt Allen to discuss Virginia's Community Corrections Alternative Program (CCAP). Drawing on his experience as a criminal litigator, Danny explains how CCAP works, who is eligible for the program, and why it has produced strong outcomes for participants. The conversation explores how treatment, education, job training, and employment partnerships can help address the root causes of criminal behavior while preparing individuals for success after release. Britt and Danny also discuss recidivism, judicial discretion, and what policymakers can learn from programs that prioritize both accountability and public safety.

Public safety depends on accountability at every level of the justice system. In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Senior Policy Analyst Ross Jackson sits down with Carley Widner and Nikki Pressley to discuss rogue prosecutors in Texas. Drawing on his latest research, Ross explains what rogue prosecutors are, how categorical non-enforcement policies can impact public safety, and the policy solutions being considered to strengthen prosecutorial accountability. The conversation explores the role prosecutors play in upholding the rule of law and why consistent enforcement is essential to delivering justice for victims and keeping communities safe.