Episode 1: No Child Born Bad

In the United States today, children as young as 10 can face adult charges, and there are 12-year-olds living in adult prisons. The first episode of the Before They Could Dream podcast lays the foundation for the series which sets out to illuminate a system most Americans are unaware of - exploring the historical context, key facts, and the challenging realities young people face when forced into a carceral system not built for them. The episode also explores the experience of the show’s host, Abd’Allah, who was sentenced to life without parole as a child growing up in Pennsylvania.Themes may include physical, mental, and sexual abuse, along with adult language.A partnered production of The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions (AIFCS), The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY), Green Buzz Agency and our expert panelists.