Show Notes
In this episode, Dwight Hudson sits down with Carley Widner to share his firsthand experiences touring reentry facilities and seeing the impact of comprehensive programming. From peer-led skill development inside prisons to housing, employment support, and accountability on the outside, reentry programs give people the tools and guidance they need to rebuild their lives. Dwight breaks down how addressing root causes, providing structure, and connecting returning citizens with critical resources not only helps them succeed, but also keeps our communities safer.
More from The Right On Crime Podcast
Public safety is strengthened when the criminal justice system supports accountability, successful reentry, and practical solutions that reduce recidivism. In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Britt Allen sits down with Mississippi State Director Bradley Lum to discuss his path from the administrative side of corrections to criminal justice policy. They explore how his experience in corrections and the trucking industry shaped his perspective on reentry, second chance hiring, and opportunities to make the criminal justice system more effective for individuals and communities.
Public safety is strengthened when people leaving prison have a clear path to employment, stability, and successful reentry. In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Right On Crime Louisiana State Director Dwight Hudson sat down with Mary Beth Derrickson, Director of Government Relations for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) during the 2025 Legislative session to explore how Louisiana can better connect former offenders with employment opportunities. They also discuss why addressing barriers like identification, housing, workforce preparation, and access to reentry programming can help reduce recidivism, strengthen the state’s workforce, and build safer communities.
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.