Tennessee’s 51-year life sentences

Until recently, anyone found guilty of first-degree murder in Tennessee could be sentenced to a minimum 51-years in prison - even if they were under 18 at the time of the crime. 

Al Jazeera's "Fault Lines" series released a documentary about Almeer Nance — a Knoxville man who received what is essentially a life sentence for felony murder in 1997. He was 16 when the crime happened and didn't pull the trigger. 

Documentarian Jeremy Young joins us to talk about his work and Nance's case. Then we hear from Nance's family, a man who was incarcerated in Tennessee and sentencing reform advocates to learn where this sentence came from and how it disproportionately affects Black prisoners.

Since this episode first aired in June, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that the mandatory life sentence for minors is unconstitutional. Nance has since filed for clemency.  

Guests:

• Jeremy Young, documentarian

• Jameerial Johnson, daughter of Almeer Nance

• Rahim Buford, former insider and sentencing reform advocate

• Rev. Jeannie Alexander, co-founder and co-director of No Exceptions Prison Collective

• Dawn Deaner, director of Choosing Justice Initiative, former public defender for Davidson County