To the Point
How Many Innocent Americans Are Sitting in Jail?
A record 125 prisoners were released last year in Texas, New York and other states after serving long terms for crimes they did not commit. The public-radio podcast Serial focused attention on cases being re-investigated because of possible wrongful convictions. Now there's a national movement for exonerations.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenA record 125 prisoners were released last year in Texas, New York and other states after serving long terms for crimes they did not commit. The public-radio podcast Serial focused attention on cases being re-investigated because of possible wrongful convictions. Now there's a national movement for exonerations.
Also, another Republican governor striking out at public employee unions, and a conversation with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.
Photo: Brad K.
In this episode
3 storiesIllinois' Republican Governor Latest to Strike Out at Public Employee Unions
Republican governors in a number of Midwestern states are striking out at public employee unions, traditionally a major source of funds for Democratic candidates. The latest is in Illinois, where the new governor has wasted no time. Reid Wilson covers state politics and policy for the Washington Post's GovBeat blog .
Read the story7 minHow Many Innocent Americans Are Sitting in Jail?
Local district attorneys get re-elected for putting people in jail. Now some prosecutors are part of a movement to get some inmates out. An Ohio man who spent 39 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit is just one of 125 released last year — a record number of wrongful convictions.
Read the story34 minFour Years into Syria's War, a Conversation with al-Assad
In Damascus, Syria, the managing editor of Foreign Affairs magazine recently spent much one full day at the presidential palace. In a lengthy interview with President Bashar al-Assad, Jonathan Tepperman asked a series of rough questions and got some remarkable answers.
Read the story9 min
