Counter Stories: When probation leads to prison

Close to 100,000 Minnesotans are on probation, some of them for sentences of 20 or 30 years. And simple technical violations — such as missing a meeting with their parole officer — could land them back in prison.

According to a recent study, 31 percent of Minnesota’s prison population is made up of people who violated their probation.

Last month the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission approved a five year cap on probation sentences — but that cap is not retroactive.

In this episode of Counter Stories, the hosts talk with three guests who are working to reform Minnesota’s parole and probation policies.

Guests:

• Kelly Lyn Mitchell is the Executive Director of the Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, and is also co-director of the Institute’s Sentencing Guidelines Resource Center

• Philip Holmes and David Boehnke, members of Decarcerate Minnesota, a grassroots organization working with the Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee

Hosts:

• Luz Maria Frias, Equity Coach and Founder of The Savvy Coach

• Anthony Galloway, Executive Director of Arts-US

• Jo Erickson, Producer, Counter Stories