Associate Professor of Sociology, UC Davis
Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Davis; former Assistant Secretary for the Office of Research in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
PROFILE
Ryken Grattet
Guest
FROM Ryken Grattet
Which Way, L.A.?
Does California's Parole System Need to Be Rebuilt? Lovelle Mixon was a 26-year-old former janitor who killed four Oakland policemen last Saturday afternoon. Two had pulled him over for a routine traffic stop. The others were SWAT officers who stormed an apartment where Mixon was hiding. Mixon, who also was killed by gunfire, had been on parole since November. He had eight contacts with his parole officer after his release, but then missed several appointments. He had been declared a parole violator and a warrant had been issued for his arrest. The killing has focused attention on parole system that even some state officials agree hasn’t been working for years. What’s wrong? What are prospects for change?
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To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.