The title of this episode is aptly named for guest Aron Roy. Like many justice-impacted individuals, Aron's journey means digging down deep to find the grit to transform and not return to their past life. But Aron also has the courage to share what sent him to prison for almost a decade and the transformation that took place during those years. Aron’s story is semi-unique in that he entered prison with a Bachelor’s Degree. As Aron fully admits, he was a functioning addict, until he wasn’t. His experience in the California prison system is eye-opening to hear about, but even more so was his realization that his future job prospects would be, at best, minimal. Aron’s ‘ah-ha’ moment was profound, and a guiding light on his road to reentry.

As Joe Biden started winding down his Presidency, and Donald Trump started accelerating his, Joe Biden took advantage, like all Presidents, to commute 37 men sitting on death row. These commutations reduce their sentences from the death penalty to life without parole. These 37 (out of 40) are in federal prisons vs. the thousands that sit on death row, in the State prison systems and can only be commuted by the individual state Governors. The 3 men who did not receive commutations and will stay on death row are those involved with terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. Trump has never been quiet about his support of the death penalty and his call to expand federal executions, once he takes office for the 2nd time. It was during his last presidency that he restarted federal executions, after a 20-year pause, and 13 were executed. Since 1973 at least 200 people in the United States who were convicted and sentenced to the death penalty have been exonerated! If you want more information on the Death Penalty, visit the Death Penalty Information Center.

Throughout this 2nd full season, one of the go-to themes has been to chat with various Sheriffs about their jails and the communities they have watch over. In case you’re not aware, there are approximately 3100 Sheriffs’ across the United States and a similar amount of jails. Also if you’re not aware, the various tiers of incarceration are Jail, State/Private, & Federal. While each Sheriff runs his or her jail slightly differently, they all answer to their communities, the people who elected them. Note: This is not the case in the State and Federal carceral system. In this, Episode #92, and the last episode of 2024, we revisit both Sheriff Nick Cocchi of Hampden County, Massachusetts, and Sheriff Patrick Cahillane of Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Both are avid supporters of The Hustler Files show, but more importantly, innovative and forward-thinking when it comes to not only rehabilitating their jail population but doing the right thing for their fellow citizens. Episode #93 will be the first episode of 2025!