In this episode, we share a recording from our book club discussion of What’s Prison For? Punishment and Rehabilitation in the Age of Mass Incarceration by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Bill Keller.

Keller — former executive editor of The New York Times and founding editor-in-chief of The Marshall Project — joined the first portion of the conversation to discuss redemption, the role of correctional officers in shaping prison culture, and why preparing incarcerated people for reentry is essential to public safety and human dignity.

After his remarks, the discussion opens to community members, who reflect on how the book challenged their understanding of accountability, second chances, and the purpose of incarceration. Together, participants explore what justice can look like beyond punishment.

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