Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. 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
by Brandon Burley and The Redemption Project Sheriff campaigns often center on broad safety language. But the stronger voter questions usually involve staffing, jail operations, narcotics pressure, and how decisions function once campaigning ends. 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
by Brandon Burley and The Redemption Project Addiction pressure is not limited to large cities. But access to treatment often is. In many smaller communities, the same need exists with fewer immediate options — which means geography quietly shapes recovery outcomes more than many people realize. 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
Jesse Crosson was arrested just after his 18th birthday and sentenced to 32 years in prison for a robbery and non-fatal shooting. For nearly two decades, prison was the only adult life he knew. When Jesse was granted a conditional pardon in 2021 , he was released with just an hour and a half’s notice —no reentry plan, no housing secured, no roadmap waiting for him. What he did have was preparation. In this conversation, Jesse shares why he believes reentry doesn’t start at the gate—it starts on day one of incarceration . He talks about how he used his time inside to build skills, relationships, and discipline, and why having options mattered more than having a plan when freedom came suddenly. This episode is about accountability, preparation, and the reality of starting over when the system doesn’t slow down for you. Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe
Human trafficking often hides in plain sight. In this narrated journalism episode of The Redemption Project , Brandon Burley examines a new Tennessee law that requires licensed tattoo artists to complete human trafficking awareness training—and why that policy matters. Drawing from reporting, survivor advocacy, and law enforcement experience, this episode explores how traffickers have historically used tattoos as tools of control, why tattoo professionals are uniquely positioned to notice warning signs, and how community-based awareness can become a bridge between vulnerable individuals and help. This is not an argument that tattoos equal trafficking. It’s a discussion about training, pattern recognition, and the quiet role everyday professionals can play in disrupting exploitation. This episode is based on Brandon Burley’s recent opinion column published in The Knoxville News Sentinel and is part of Season 4. Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe
Hey! Welcome to season 4. Season 4 is all about narrated journalism. These short form episodes should all be around the 2 minute mark. I would love to hear your thought on each one! Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe
