The Right On Crime Podcast

What does effective criminal justice policy look like at the state level? On this episode of The ROC Podcast, Right On Crime State Directors Danny Murphy and Joey Comley sit down at the Texas Policy Summit to recap their legislative sessions in 2026, discuss policy victories and challenges, and look ahead to what's next.

From earned compliance credits and Kentucky's Family Preservation and Accountability Act to sentencing policy and alternatives to incarceration, Danny and Joey explore how their states are working to strengthen public safety, promote accountability, and improve outcomes through practical policy solutions.

Not everyone awaiting trial poses the same risk, so how can risk assessments improve pretrial decisions? Right On Crime Directors Marilyn Davidson and Dwight Hudson discuss how risk-based assessments can help inform pretrial release decisions, protect public safety, and ensure limited jail space is reserved for individuals who pose the greatest threat to their communities.

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.

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.

Forensic autopsies are more than medical examinations. They are critical tools in the pursuit of justice. In this episode, ROC's Maggie Horzempa sits down with Carley Widner and Nikki Pressley to explore the difference between forensic and clinical autopsies, the growing shortage of forensic pathologists, and how autopsy backlogs can impact law enforcement, prosecutors, corrections, and families searching for answers. A stronger justice system requires every piece to work together, and addressing these challenges starts with investing in the people, resources, and infrastructure needed to deliver timely answers.

In this episode of the Right On Crime Podcast, Idaho State Director Molly Lenty sits down with Idaho State Rep. Chris Mathias for a wide-ranging conversation on women’s incarceration and criminal justice policy in their state. They discuss key drivers behind incarceration trends, including the role of technical violations of supervision, the impact of domestic and sexual violence on women, and how other states like Oklahoma and Georgia are pursuing solutions that allow judges to consider the full context of a case at sentencing. Their conversation also explores the importance of effective reentry programming, family stability, and supervision systems that promote accountability while supporting successful reintegration into the community.

Access to a bank account is something most people take for granted—but for many individuals returning from incarceration, it can be one of the first and most significant barriers to rebuilding their lives. In this episode, ROC’s Danny Murphy and Kurt Altman explore how being unbanked forces people into a cash-only economy at a time when most transactions are digital, limiting access to housing, employment, and basic necessities. They also examine how this gap can create unintended consequences during supervision and reentry, and why financial inclusion is increasingly a matter of both economic opportunity and public safety.

In this episode, ROC’s Ross Jackson and TPPF’s Derek Cohen discuss how second chance banking and hiring practices can expand opportunity while maintaining important safeguards for both individuals and financial institutions. Their conversation highlights how thoughtful, structured approaches to reentry can help people rebuild stability through access to work and financial services. They also explore Right On Crime’s employer reentry handbook, Talent Unlocked, which provides practical resources for employers on second chance hiring and includes guidance on considerations around banking and payroll that can impact employee success.

In this conversation, ROC's Nikki Pressley and Ross Jackson break down what clearance rates actually represent, why they matter for public safety, and how resources, staffing, and investigative capacity impact whether crimes are solved. They also explore why the certainty of being caught is one of the strongest deterrents to crime, and what it means when that certainty is low.

North Carolina State Director Maggie Horzempa, joined Senior Policy Analyst Ross Jackson to break down how driver’s license suspensions for non–public safety reasons are affecting everyday North Carolinians. From missed work opportunities and barriers to employment, to the ripple effects on families and the state workforce, these policies often create more instability than accountability. Instead of improving public safety, they can trap people in cycles of debt, limited mobility, and ongoing legal consequences, including driving while suspended just to meet basic needs like work, childcare, and court appearances.

In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Idaho business leader Joey Looney joins Idaho Director Molly Lenty to discuss the transformative power of second chance hiring. Drawing from his own experience with incarceration and recovery, Joey shares how giving individuals with criminal records a chance to work can change lives, strengthen families, and help businesses grow. The conversation highlights the accountability, resilience, and drive many formerly incarcerated individuals bring to the workplace, while exploring why employment remains one of the most effective tools for reducing recidivism and improving public safety.

In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Arkansas Director Wil Cheatham joins Britt Allen to discuss what’s working in reentry—and where policy can do more. Drawing from Wil’s visits to reentry facilities across the state, they explore how different models, from faith-based to workforce-focused, are helping individuals successfully transition back into society. The conversation highlights the importance of structure, employment, and family stability in reducing recidivism, while also addressing persistent barriers like fines, fees, and access to basic documentation.

In this episode, Right On Crime Idaho State Director Molly Lenty joins Britt Allen to explore the connection between reentry, employment, public safety, and why second chance hiring is becoming a key part of the conversation in business. From rising incarceration rates despite declining crime, to the real barriers people face when returning to rural communities, the discussion highlights how gaps in reentry to society and job access impact outcomes. Molly also shares efforts to bring Idaho’s business community together through a Second Chance Business Coalition focused on practical solutions that strengthen the workforce while improving public safety for everyone.

Communities are strongest when young people are given the opportunity to succeed. In this episode of The ROC Podcast, Carley Widner sits down with Café Momentum Ambassador Tristyn Williams to share her personal experience in the Café Momentum program and how it is transforming lives. They discuss what Café Momentum does, why its model works, and how providing structure, mentorship, and workforce development for youth in the justice system directly strengthens public safety. The conversation also explores the broader impact of programs like this on the juvenile justice system and communities as a whole, showing that accountability and opportunity can go hand in hand.

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.