Rogue Prosecutors and Their Impact on Public Safety

Rogue Prosecutors and Their Impact on 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.

How Autopsy Backlogs Impact Justice

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.

Inside Idaho’s Women’s Incarceration Crisis with Rep. Chris Mathias

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.

Banking, Reentry, and the Path to Stability

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.

Expanding Access and Opportunity Through Second Chance Banking

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.