Journalist Maria Hinojosa talks “Suave” podcast — juvenile life without parole sentencing
Pulitzer-Prize winning podcast “Suave” tells the story of a juvenile lifer who was released from prison and his returned to the outside world.
Journalist Maria Hinojosa and David Luis “Suave” Gonalez.
Although banned in some states, life in prison without the possibility for parole is still allowed in much of the U.S. Still, a 2012 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court decision caused thousands of cases of juveniles who received life sentences to be reopened.
David Luis “Suave” Gonzalez was one of those individuals who had their case opened. He was eventually let out of prison in 2017, after being locked up in 1988 for a crime he committed as a 17-year-old.
Futuro Media created a podcast about Gonzalez’s life, called “Suave,” which recently won a Pulitzer Prize.
“He has to let them know where he’s traveling if he’s leaving the state. There are all kinds of limitations on him and on his life.” — Maria Hinojosa, Futuro Media
Listen: Maria Hinojosa discusses “Suave” podcast.
Guest
Maria Hinojosa is the anchor and executive producer of the Peabody Award-winning show Latino USA and Co-Host of “In The Thick,” Futuro Media’s award-winning political podcast. She is also the president & founder of Futuro Media.
Hinojosa says that once people get out of prison on parole, they are still subjected to a variety of rules and regulations that prevent them from living a free life.
“Suave and I were just talking about this — he’s on lifetime parole,” Hinojosa says. “He has to pay the parole every month, he has to check in with parole, he has to let them know where he’s traveling if he’s leaving the state. There are all kinds of limitations on him and on his life.”
Latino USA plays on WDET on Wednesdays from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 to 8 p.m.
You can find the podcast “Suave” at the link here, or wherever you find your podcasts.
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