EPISODE · Mar 5, 2026 · 55 MIN
The NYC Public Defender Who Sends Books to Prisoners
from Old School with Shilo Brooks · host The Free Press
In this episode, Shilo Brooks sits down with New York City public defender Ben Schatz to discuss the novel True Grit–and the nature of justice in America. Ben founded the nonprofit Books Beyond Bars, which sends requested books (not just random donations) to individuals locked in in New York jails and prisons, giving them dignity, mental escape, and intellectual stimulation. After discussing True Grit, Ben offers his critique of the U.S. criminal justice system itself: its coercive plea bargaining, racism, overburdened defenders and judges, and prisons that function more as warehouses than places of rehabilitation, especially for mentally ill and addicted people. Throughout, the conversation links the moral center of True Grit to real‑world questions about what justice is, who deserves mercy, and how to look past someone’s criminal history. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here to subscribe. The Free Press earns a commission from any purchases made through all book links in this article. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
In this episode, Shilo Brooks sits down with New York City public defender Ben Schatz to discuss the novel True Grit–and the nature of justice in America. Ben founded the nonprofit Books Beyond Bars, which sends requested books (not just random donations) to individuals locked in in New York jails and prisons, giving them dignity, mental escape, and intellectual stimulation. After discussing True Grit, Ben offers his critique of the U.S. criminal justice system itself: its coercive plea bargaining, racism, overburdened defenders and judges, and prisons that function more as warehouses than places of rehabilitation, especially for mentally ill and addicted people. Throughout, the conversation links the moral center of True Grit to real‑world questions about what justice is, who deserves mercy, and how to look past someone’s criminal history. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here to subscribe. The Free Press earns a commission from any purchases made through all book links in this article. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The NYC Public Defender Who Sends Books to Prisoners
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