SOLUTIONS FROM THE YARD

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts explore what it truly means to fight crime, challenging traditional approaches that rely heavily on enforcement and punishment. They examine the difference between reactive responses to crime and proactive strategies that aim to prevent harm before it occurs.

Drawing from lived experience and community insight, the conversation highlights the importance of addressing root causes...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts continue their discussion on home rule in Washington, DC, taking a deeper look at how limitations on local autonomy shape policy decisions and community outcomes. They examine the ongoing influence of Congress over DC’s laws and the challenges this creates for implementing solutions that reflect the needs of residents.

Through lived experience and thoughtful analysis, the ...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts examine the concept of home rule in Washington, DC, and what it truly means for local governance and decision-making power. They explore the limitations placed on the District’s autonomy, particularly the role Congress continues to play in shaping or overturning local laws.

Through lived experience and critical analysis, the conversation highlights how these restrictions i...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts take a closer look at accountability within systems meant to serve the public, focusing on the role and impact of audits in Washington, DC. They explore what audits are intended to uncover and question whether they lead to meaningful change or simply highlight issues without real follow-through.

Drawing from lived experience and community insight, the conversation examines how f...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts examine the intersection of policy, funding, and public safety in Washington, DC, raising critical questions about whether legislative decisions are truly designed to support communities or driven by financial and political priorities.

The conversation explores how funding allocations and policy choices shape the effectiveness of public safety strategies, often determining which...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts continue their discussion on the impact of parental incarceration on children and families in Washington, DC. Building on Part 1, they examine the broader challenges tied to truancy, family instability, and gaps in support systems intended to assist children with incarcerated parents.

Through lived experience and critical analysis, the hosts explore how existing programs often p...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts examine the lack of funding and support for youth-focused programs in Washington, DC, with a focus on the Helping Children Impacted by Parental Incarceration Amendment Act of 2020. They discuss how, despite the passage of the legislation, its implementation has fallen short, leaving many children without the resources and support the law intended to provide.

Drawing from lived e...

n this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts continue their discussion on crime prevention policy in Washington, DC, taking a closer look at the long-term impact of the Safer, Stronger Amendment Act of 2023. They examine how an increased focus on harsher penalties and enforcement has failed to produce meaningful improvements in public safety.

Through lived experience and critical analysis, the hosts highlight the consequenc...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts examine recent changes in crime prevention policy in Washington, DC, with a focus on the Safer, Stronger Amendment Act of 2023. They explore how the legislation introduces harsher penalties while raising questions about whether these measures truly prevent crime or simply reinforce punitive approaches.

Drawing from lived experience and community insight, the conversation highlig...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts are joined by Eric Franklin for a continued conversation on the realities of reentry, with a focus on the barriers returning citizens face when accessing basic resources. The discussion centers on the challenges surrounding SNAP benefits and the critical role they play in supporting individuals as they transition back into the community.

Drawing from lived experience, the hosts ...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts are joined by Eric Franklin, who shares his firsthand experience navigating reentry after serving a lengthy prison sentence. The conversation centers on the impact of the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) and how second chance legislation can create meaningful opportunities for individuals who were incarcerated at a young age.

Through personal reflection and lived exp...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts continue their discussion on second chance legislation, focusing on the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA) and the public narratives surrounding it. They examine how early messaging and fear-based rhetoric shaped perceptions of the law, often framing it as a risk to public safety despite evidence showing its positive impact.

Through thoughtful analysis and lived experi...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts examine the impact of recent crime-related legislation in Washington, DC, with a focus on the Second Look Amendment Act of 2019. The conversation explores the intent behind the law, which allows individuals who committed offenses before the age of 25 to petition for early release after serving significant time.

Drawing from both policy knowledge and lived experience, the hosts d...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the conversation continues with a deeper examination of public safety in Washington, DC, focusing on the gap between proposed solutions and meaningful action. The hosts highlight how recommendations from a public safety task force have largely been ignored, with only a small fraction implemented despite the urgency of the issues facing local communities.

Through lived experience and criti...

In this episode of Solutions from the Yard, the hosts examine what it truly means to improve public safety in Washington, DC. Centering their discussion on a long-delayed public safety plan, they critique current proposals that prioritize increased policing and incarceration without addressing the underlying causes of crime.

Drawing from lived experience and community insight, the conversation highlights how policies that focus sol...

In this episode of "Solutions from the Yard," host Dietrich Trent and co-hosts Michael Dickerson-El and Charles Hopkins discuss the history and impact of solitary confinement, known as "the shoe" or special housing unit (SHU). They explain that solitary confinement was initially intended as a severe form of punishment, not for rehabilitation, dating back to the early 19th century. The hosts share personal experiences, detailing the...

In this section of "Solution on the Yard," hosts Dietrich Trent, Michael Dickerson-El, and Charles Hopkins discuss experiences in the "shoe" (solitary confinement unit). They talk about the mental preparation necessary to survive under these extreme conditions, where mental strength is crucial. Dickerson-El describes how solitary confinement can dehumanize individuals, desensitizing them to normal emotions and affecting their relat...

In this episode of "Solutions from the Yard," hosts Charles Hopkins, Michael Dickerson-El, and Dietrich Trent discuss the challenges faced by youth in the D.C. area, focusing on the education system and juvenile delinquency. The hosts argue for the need for more resources, vocational training, and mentorship programs to provide hope and practical skills for youth. They emphasize the importance of parental involvement and community ...

In this episode of "Solutions from the Yard," hosts Charles Hopkins, Michael Dickerson-El, and Dietrich Trent discuss D.C. politics and juvenile delinquency. They highlight a Justice Department study showing high rates of single-parent households, teen deaths, school dropouts, and child poverty in D.C. The hosts argue that preventive services and resources for youth are lacking and stress the importance of education, mentorship, an...