Trail Blazing Justice

In last week’s episode, we exposed the unbearable conditions caused by extreme heat in Oregon prisons. This week, we follow up with the voices of those who’ve lived through it—directly responding to the Department of Corrections’ claims about how they manage heat behind bars. What emerges is a stark divide between policy and reality, and a system that continues to put lives at risk. The Trail Blaz...

What happens when a heatwave hits—and there’s no way to cool down? In this episode of Trail Blazing Justice , we confront the deadly consequences of extreme heat inside Oregon’s prisons. From windowless cells and failing ventilation to a system that treats ice cubes like a reward, we ask: how many lives must be at risk before we act? The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon...

What does successful reentry really take—and why do so few get the chance? In this episode, Mark Wilson reflects on his first six months of freedom after nearly 40 years in prison and exposes the broken systems waiting on the outside. From inaccessible housing to bureaucratic cruelty, we explore why Oregon’s reentry process fails so many, and what it would take to build one rooted in dignity and s...

What happens when federal law enforcement stops following the rules it’s meant to uphold?  In this edition of our Waxing Confidential series, Steve Wax breaks down ICE’s expanding power—from masked raids to secret detentions—and the constitutional dangers they pose. We explore the erosion of due process, the limits of federal authority, and what it means when the rule of law starts to slip away. T...

What does it mean to be born in America—and can a president take that away? In this episode of Waxing Confidential , Steve Wax unpacks the Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. CASA , a case that may gut the power of federal courts and put birthright citizenship at risk. We explore the dangerous legal gamesmanship at play, the rise of a patchwork nation, and why this decision may be a turning point f...

What happens when a prison reform panel becomes a performative stall tactic? In this episode, we break down why the Oregon Justice Resource Center made the difficult decision to step away from Governor Kotek’s advisory panel on women’s prison reform. After two years of ignored recommendations, performative meetings, and worsening conditions inside Coffee Creek, we ask: is Oregon really serious abo...

Bobbin and Steve Wax unpack Trump’s federalization of the National Guard and the deployment of the Marines to LA, exposing the legal overreach, historical echoes, and chilling consequences of this show of force. The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

Steve's journey through the South! This week on Trail Blazing Justice, we catch up with Steve Wax on the road, as part of our Waxing Confidential series.  Steve shares his recent tour through the South, reflecting on powerful visits to the Legacy Museum, Rosa Parks Museum, and other historical sites. We hear his vivid memories from the 1960s alongside sharp insights into how the past connects...

What happens when drone surveillance and DNA collection laws quietly expand under the radar? In this episode of Trailblazing Justice, we break down two alarming bills in the Oregon legislature—one that loosens restrictions on warrantless drone use, and another that allows police to collect DNA from people merely arrested, not convicted. With bipartisan support pushing these bills forward, Bobbin a...

Is it possible to meaningfully challenge solitary? In this episode, Bobbin, Mark, Julia, and Zach peel back the layers of Oregon’s opaque grievance processes, Supreme Court rulings, and procedural roadblocks that leave those incarcerated with almost no recourse to contest their placement in isolation. Tune in as we trace the history, legal hurdles, and ongoing reform efforts aimed at shining a spo...

What should you do if you are engaged by law enforcement when you are on the street? In this episode of Trail Blazing Justice, co-director of the Oregon Innocence Project Kenneth Kreuscher explains the rules for safely asserting your rights and understanding your risks with these three rules: don't trust, don't talk, don't consent. Whether you're a protester, non-citizen, or ju...

What if your right to challenge an unjust imprisonment was the last line of defense against authoritarian rule? In this episode, we trace the ancient roots and modern battles over habeas corpus—from medieval England to Guantanamo Bay, to present-day America—uncovering how this vital legal safeguard is under renewed threat. As political leaders hint at suspending it under dubious claims of “invasio...

In this episode, we continue our special series on Solitary Confinement by turning our focus to Oregon’s only women’s prison—Coffee Creek—and the often-overlooked realities of solitary confinement behind its walls. Kyle Black shares firsthand accounts of the degrading strip searches, traumatizing isolation, and the human toll of a system designed to punish, not protect. We explore how solitary is...

Can the press still hold power accountable, or has the media itself become a battleground? In this episode of Trail Blazing Justice, we explore the evolving role of journalism in the age of Trump.  Alice Lundell, OJRC’s Director of Communication, join us to discuss how the media landscape has changed, the challenges of maintaining truth amid rising disinformation, and why journalism remains essent...

We dive into the tension between democracy and executive overreach. Steve and Bobbin unpack the significance of a recent landmark court order pushing back against Trump’s assault on law firms, they draw unsettling parallels between what we are currently seeing at the national level and pre-Nazi Germany, and provide an overview of Due Process and Habeas Corpus. Join us as we explore the enduring im...

What happens when the law is weaponized to dismantle itself? We’re joined this week by Steve Wax—former federal public defender and now Senior Counsel at the Oregon Justice Resource Center—to explore how legal norms and institutions are being deliberately unraveled. From politicized prosecutions to defiance of court orders, this episode lays bare the calculated erosion of the systems meant to hold...

This week on Trailblazing Justice , we pull back the curtain on America’s immigration system — and it’s not what most people think. Our special guest, Erin McKee, from the Immigrant Rights Project, joins us to unpack how Oregon’s sanctuary laws actually keep everyone safer, and why the federal government has virtually unchecked power over noncitizens (Erin helps us by wading through the vernacular...

Trail Blazing Justice is doing a deep dive into the use of solitary confinement in Oregon prisons by producing a series on this important issue. TBJ welcomes guest Mark Wilson, who spent over three decades incarcerated, and has personal experience with solitary confinement. Mark is now out and a Legal Assistant/Policy Associate with the OJRC. Join us as Mark shares his insights and experiences and...

Trail Blazing Justice is back once again! After a year-plus hiatus, OJRC is resuming the weekly Trail Blazing Justice podcast. In this episode, Bobbin discusses the ongoing Oregon 2025 legislative session with Zach, Julia, and The Kyles. They first explain the basics of Oregon's legislature and sessions, before diving into the several bills that OJRC is sponsoring during this session. The Tra...

Was 2023 a year of progress or setback for Oregon’s justice system? Join us as Bobbin, Julia, Zach, and Justin reflect on the year that was, and forecast the road ahead in 2024. The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a production of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.

What is it like to spend the holidays in prison? Join us for the first episode of “Outside Voices”—our special series of discussions with people who have experienced incarceration in Oregon. Bobbin is joined by Angela, Wayne, and two Kyles, as they share stories of how the holiday spirit can persevere in the midst of incarceration. Links: Angela’s blog post about Korean food  Trail Blazing Moment:...

What are Legislative Days, and why are they important? Join us this week as Bobbin, Zach, and Justin demystify these lesser-known legislative meetings and recap some of last week’s justice-related hearings. Links   News article of the week: “ Law enforcement officials press lawmakers to tighten Oregon’s drug laws ”, OPB, Nov. 6, 2023,  Oregon Legislative Days hearings: Joint Interim Committee on A...

Bobbin, Zach, and Justin welcome Brittney Plesser, co-director of OJRC’s FA:IR Law Project, to discuss her recent report on access to abortion care for those incarcerated in Oregon jails. Join us for an eye-opening look at how the right to an abortion in Oregon depends on whether someone is housed in jail—and in which Oregon jail they happen to be in.  Links: “Access for All, In Oregon?: A Review...

Marijuana is legal in Oregon, right? Well, not for everyone. For this and other eye-opening insights, join Bobbin, Zach, and Justin as they welcome guest Erin McKee, co-founder of the Oregon Justice Resource Center and co-director of OJRC’s Immigrant Rights Project, to discuss Crimmigration—the intersection of criminal and immigration law in Oregon. The Trail Blazing Justice podcast is a productio...

This week, Bobbin, Julia, Zach and Justin discuss OJRC’s recently published response to the Gender Informed Practices Assessment (GIPA) of Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Julia outlines key points of the GIPA report, their implications, and OJRC’s recommendations for how the Oregon Department of Corrections must change in order to humanely house and treat the incarcerated. Links: “A Serious Re...