The Eldridge Files

Senator Eldridge discusses post-prison rehabilitative programs with Anthony Cuatia

Anthony Cutaia, 74, is a consultant for the City of Boston Office of Returning Citizens and works on the program for rehabilitation certificates. This program would be a significant benefit for individuals with Federal convictions as they are unable to apply for any type of record sealing. The Certificate would benefit those individuals that are seeking to have their records sealed if they were successful in obtaining one. Cutaia is a returning citizen himself and is an advocate for criminal justice reform and the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals. He wants to help remove the stigma of incarceration and to actively work in the re-entry process for employment, housing, rehabilitation, and family reunification. Cutaia is currently a student at Suffolk University seeking a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Legal Studies.

Senator Eldridge is joined by Jurrell Laronal

Jurrell Laronal, 34, is a community organizer, fitness trainer, and martial arts coach. Jurrell is from Dorchester, a neighborhood deeply impacted by the racial disparities of the criminal justice system. Jurrell was incarcerated at age 19 for ten years in several state prisons and county houses of correction. He also endured months at a time in solitary confinement, including at the states maximum security facility Souza-Baranowski. After experiencing the harm and trauma caused by incarceration and in particular solitary confinement, Jurrell has been a dedicated leader for criminal justice reform to reduce incarceration and improve conditions for prisoners.

Senator Eldridge is joined by Michael Cox

While incarcerated in Massachusetts, Michael Cox was sent to solitary confinement for a month and a half after he, an openly gay man, reported an act of sexual violence against him to prison officials. Cox later did more time in solitary after he and another gay inmate hugged each other goodbye when leaving the prison yard. Cox is the director of policy for the Boston chapter of Black and Pink and the administrator for the Massachusetts Bail Fund. He holds an A.S. in business management and a B.S. in political science. After serving a six year prison sentence, Michael was inspired to respond to the abuse and counter-intuitive function of the prison system, especially through the lens of queerness.

Senator Eldridge is joined by Darrell Jones

Darrell Jones, 51, is a father, son, brother and a prison reform activist. At the age of 18, he was incarcerated for a crime he never committed. After serving 32 years in the prison system, he was finally acquitted in June 2019. Jones also spent many years, on and off, in solitary confinement units. During that time, he lost his son, brother and grandmother, but was not allowed to attend any of their funerals. Darrell speaks with Senator Eldridge about his experience as an innocent man in the prison system, his time in segregation units and the injustices he witnessed in the past 3 decades. Jones uses his time now to spread awareness about our broken and racist criminal justice system and help others who are wrongfully convicted.

Solitary Confinement Podcast Trailer

Season 2 of The Eldridge Files coming to you with local stories of Criminal Justice Reform. Survivors of #solitaryconfinement speak with State Senator Jamie Eldridge about their raw experiences being in solitary, and explain the gruesome conditions they were thrown in.