How did Arizona Become so Pro-Mass Incarceration and What Can be Done About it? w/Nate Wade and Katie Gipson-McLean

Sep 23

Today Hunter had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Nate Wade and Katie Gipson-McLean, two public defenders from the Arizona. Of all the episodes, this may be the one that makes you the most pissed off.

From the outset, Katie and Nate drop story after story that reveals the deeply regressive and reactionary structure sustaining the status quo of mass incarceration in Arizona. From the powerful money interests in the DOC, to the work of a single, motivated individual, Arizona can easily be described as one of the most pro carceral states in America. Constantly ranking at the top leader boards in state spending on incarceration, Arizona is this way by design.

Despite all of the issues laid out (and there are a lot of them), Hunter hopes you walk away with hope that change in a place like this is possible because of the dedication and determination of fighters like Nate and Katie!!

Guests:

Nate Wade, Public Defender, Pinal County, Arizona

Katie Gipson-McLean, Public Defender, Maricopa County, Arizona

Key Topics and Takeaways:

How Nate and Katie got into Public Defense [8:06]

Inconsistencies from county to county in Arizona Public Defense and Criminal Justice [12:00]

Understanding the Politics of Arizona [21:29]

How a single person shapes Arizona criminal justice policies [32:33]

Can punishment have a deterrent effect? [36:45]

The corruption and power influencing Arizona reforms [39:10]

Why it is so difficult for defense attorneys to have their voices heard in Arizona [50:30]

Katie describes the broken plea bargaining in Maricopa County [57:00]