Redemption Stories

Welcome to Season 2. Long form redemption stories

January 3, 202643

Hey! Welcome to season 2. In season 2, I will be focused on more long form storytelling from individuals who have overcome their demons. Season 1 was more short from storytelling (less than 10 minutes), and we will have that again in season 3 if thats what you like! Season 4 is narrated Journalism. That is where I will be reading, and/or commenting on my own journalism and those podcasts I am trying to keep around the 2 minute mark. Season 5 is episodes of me teaching. I will be uploading videos of me teaching criminal justice to middle school and high school students. This may include videos with guest speakers, or field trips- but it is everything that is part of teaching criminal justice. Season 6 is all about ministries. Ministries throughout the United States that are doing great things in the redemption world. Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe

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You Can’t Remove Incentives and Expect Compliance

This segment explores why incentives matter in criminal justice and reentry systems.Compliance does not happen in a vacuum. When individuals are given no incentives for positive behavior, accountability systems often fail.We discuss how structured incentives encourage responsibility, reduce violations, and support long-term success while still maintaining supervision and consequences.The Redemption Project focuses on realistic approaches to accountability and behavior change. Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe

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Knoxville is quietly building a reentry ecosystem that many communities wish they had—connecting mentorship, recovery programs, stable housing, and community support in ways that improve public safety and reduce repeat arrests.In this read-aloud video, I share key points from my article originally published in Knox TN Today, explaining how sustained accountability, long-term mentorship, and community-rooted recovery efforts are strengthening lives after incarceration in Knoxville.Topics covered in this conversation include:• Men of Valor’s year-long aftercare housing and accountability model • The Knox County Church Network and its role in community support • ReNew Clinic’s long-term recovery focus • RISE mentoring for individuals and families facing instability • All4Knox and early intervention strategiesThese local initiatives show that redemption is not just a moral idea; it is a public-safety strategy proven to work when supported.This story is shared as part of The Redemption Project.Original article: https://www.knoxtntoday.com/knoxville-is-quietly-rebuilding-lives-and-its-time-we-paid-attention/ Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe

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Criminal Justice Is Tested After Release

by Brandon Burley and The Redemption Project Sentencing may dominate debate, but many of the most important public safety outcomes begin after someone returns to the community. We still measure criminal justice at the wrong moment. Most public debate focuses on sentencing, incarceration levels, and whether punishment sounds tough enough. But the most important question usually begins after someone leaves prison or jail. That is because most people who are incarcerated will eventually return to their communities, and the first year after release is often the most unstable part of the entire process. Housing problems, unemployment, untreated addiction, and weak supervision can all collide at once. When that happens, repeat offending often begins long before the next arrest ever appears in public statistics. That is why criminal justice is not really tested in the courtroom. It is tested after release, when structure becomes thinner and risk becomes real. Many policies are debated at sentencing. But outcomes are often decided later, when someone returns to unstable conditions and systems become less structured. That is where public safety either holds or begins to weaken again. I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commentary write for Tennessee Lookout and a weekly columnist with Knox TN Today . My work examines public policy, public safety systems and civic responsibility. My reporting and commentary have also appeared in Governing , The Arizona Capitol Times , South Florida Sun Sentinel , Police1 , among other state and regional outlets. Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe

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