EPISODE · May 31, 2026 · 17 MIN
The Judge Who Couldn't Say No
from Power Plays · host Podcaster
In 1978, a single federal judge in Alabama became the de facto administrator of the entire state prison system—and held that power for nearly four decades. How Chief Judge Frank Johnson's contempt citations and court orders created a shadow government that transformed not just corrections, but the very relationship between federal courts and state authority. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
In 1978, a single federal judge in Alabama became the de facto administrator of the entire state prison system—and held that power for nearly four decades. How Chief Judge Frank Johnson's contempt citations and court orders created a shadow government that transformed not just corrections, but the very relationship between federal courts and state authority.
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The Judge Who Couldn't Say No
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