Behind The Lens episode 227: ‘There’s no real public oversight’

Nick Chrastil on The Lens' lawsuit against the state Office of Juvenile Justice for public records related to its $9.5m emergency staffing contract. And author Matthew Kincaid joins us to talk about his new book: Freedom Teaching.

This week on Behind The Lens, learn about our lawsuit against the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice. The Tulane First Amendment Law Clinic has taken on the case to get public records, related to a $9.5 million emergency contract for private security staff, that OJJ has refused to provide after months of requests.

And we speak with Matthew Kincaid, the founder of Overcoming Racism which provides race and equity training to schools. Kincaid, who taught in New Orleans, has released a new book, Freedom Teaching: Overcoming Racism in Education to Create Classrooms Where All Students Succeed, which focuses on giving teachers tools to empower their students to take control of their education. Read an excerpt here.

Our guests this week are criminal justice reporter Nick Chrastil, education reporter Marta Jewson, and Lens editor Katy Reckdahl, joined by Matthew Kincaid.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Teen Bean by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com.

You can also listen to Behind The Lens on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other services.

Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman Rovira has been in media for 35 years, and is currently the podcast host and producer for Behind The Lens. Heldman served as executive director at Aspen Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, where she launched four weekly news, public affairs, and cultural affairs programs. She has been a guest lecturer at Tulane University, is a frequent guest and moderator for the Aspen Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute.