Episode 1 | Power: Political Context and Impact

The 30 Year Project

In 1994, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (better known as the Crime Bill) was supported by liberals and considered “soft on crime” by conservatives. Yet, the bill is widely criticized today. This episode unpacks the legislation and examines the impact it actually had. Plus, we take a look at where the power lies to create—and disrupt—mass incarceration.

Hosted by:

Josie Duffy Rice, Journalist and Writer

Featuring:

Terrell Blount, Executive Director, Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network

SA Kimberly Foxx, Cook County State's Attorney

Adam Gelb, President and CEO, Council on Criminal Justice

Holly Harris, Founder and President, The Network

John Pfaff, Professor of Law, Fordham Law School

Jason Pye, Vice President, Due Process Institute

Nkechi Taifa, President, The Taifa Group, LLC

Zoë Towns, Executive Director, FWD.us

Jeremy Travis, Senior Fellow, Columbia Justice Lab

For more information about each episode and to find full transcripts, visit www.vera.org/thirtyyearproject and follow Vera Institute of Justice on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X/Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.