Permanent Punishment

In this episode of Count Time Now, Fred Ward is joined by Pete VanLeer from Policy Matters and his long-time friend Russell Williams, an outstanding chef and directly impacted individual who continues to face collateral consequences. The discussion dives deep into Russell's disturbing experience of being fired due to a decades-old conviction and highlights the broader systemic injustice faced by individuals with criminal records. Pete shares insights from recent surveys on employment barriers and discusses potential policy changes, while Russell shares his heartfelt story in hopes of driving awareness and change. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:19 Russell's Story: Employment Struggles 02:43 The Incident at Giant Eagle 05:23 Background Check Issues 07:41 Ethics Committee and Judicial Release 10:43 Policy Matters Survey 11:19 Struggles of Finding Stable Employment 12:03 Challenges Faced by the Formerly Incarcerated 12:55 Systemic Issues and Personal Stories 16:40 The Role of Surveys and Data 20:27 Call to Action and Final Thoughts