Behind The Lens episode 271: ‘Death warrant’

Nick Chastil and Katy Reckdahl on working conditions at Angola's Farm Line, with an eye on summer heat, and execution in Louisiana, following the first state execution in more than a decade.
Behind The Lens podcast logo

This week on Behind The Lens, a court order last year mandated some protections for incarcerated men at Angola who work the Farm Line for little or no compensation in the brutal summer heat. In response, state officials made few meaningful improvements to conditions. This summer, newly instituted policies could make things even worse.

A few weeks ago The Lens launched “Operating Capital” a new series of articles focused on Louisiana’s capital punishment program which has been restarted after 15 years of a court-ordered pause with the execution of Jesse Hoffman

Our guests this week are Lens reporter Nick Chrastil and managing editor Katy Reckdahl. 

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Surveilluna 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.