California’s Pelican Bay state prison houses gang leaders high on the food chain. Contrary to popular myth, they run the joint like a well-oiled machine, with chains-of-command, communication networks, even a system for intake.
On today’s show: a glimpse into the surprisingly orderly life behind bars, and the influence of gangs on life on the outside.
Also today, an African-American woman says it’s time to reject the notion that beating kids is part of black culture.
Listen to the full show and Read more for individual segments.
Prison Gangs
- Graeme Wood is a contributing editor at The Atlantic. We spoke to him about his recent article: "How Gangs Took Over Prisons"
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Prison Gangs
Rural Gangs Claim Public Lands
- While we may think that gang violence is relegated to big cities, rural communities are also grappling with gang rivalries, turf wars, and even drive-by shootings. Our next story comes to us from northwest Washington, where gang members are frequenting public recreation lands, including boat launches, fishing holes, and hunting areas. Austin Jenkins brings us this report.
- You can listen to the story at PRX.org.
Rejecting Corporal Punishment
- Khadijah Costley White is an assistant professor at Rutgers University. Her article for Quartz has a title that makes her position clear: “It’s Time We Reject the Idea That Beating Our Kids Is Part of Black Culture.”
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Against Corporal Punishment
Robotics Commission
- Ryan Calo is assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Law, and a former research director at Stanford’s Center for Internet and Society. He recently authored a paper titled “The Case for a Federal Robotics Commission”, which was published by the Brookings Institution.
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Robotics Commission
A Robotic Cure For Pesky Ticks
- There’s a new robot that could help you clear your yard of nearly all the ticks. Invented by three professors at Virginia Military Institute, this device could help reduce the risk of tick-borne illness. Kelley Libbey has the story.
- You can listen to the story at PRX.org.