Throw Away the Key

Cellblocks to Mountaintops

After serving more than 25 years in prison, Sterling Cunio goes before the most important audience of his life: the Oregon Board of Parole. His supporters and attorneys argue that Sterling has rehabilitated, and deserves a second chance for a life beyond prison walls. But even if that’s true, does that mean he should be set free? Locking him up for the rest of his life won’t bring his victims back, but will it send a message that demonstrates respect for the lives he took? Will it improve public safety or help his victims heal? What does justice demand?

Please note: There are many types of parole board hearings. In this episode, Karuna Thompson speaks of one kind of hearing. Rehabilitation Hearings, however, on average tend to run between 4-5 hours and it has been reported that the Oregon Board of Parole has consistently been prepared for these hearings.

Be sure to watch our mini-documentary video The Hearing where you will see live excerpts of the hearing.
To watch our companion videos, read the transcripts, and see our complete show notes with media links, sources, and references please visit our website: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com

Featured in this episode:

Sterling Cunio

Professor Melissa Buis, Professor and Chair of Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics Department (PPLE) and Director, Transformative Justice Initiative at Willamette University. Since 2016 she has taught “Restorative Justice” classes at Oregon State Penitentiary with both “inside” and “outside” students. Dr. Buis is also a founding member and Board Chair of the nonprofit, Transformative Justice Community.

Lauren Kessler teaches Storytelling for Social Change at University of Washington, former writing teacher at Oregon State Penitentiary, author of 15 books including A Grip of Time and Free, Two Years, Six Lives and the Long Journey Home, both of which feature Sterling Cunio.

Ryan O’Connor, Criminal Defense Attorney

Ryan Joslin, Chief Deputy District Attorney, Benton County, Oregon

Michael Chiu, Board Chairman, Oregon Board of Parole

Karuna Thompson, Former Prison Chaplain & Victim Liaison at the Oregon Department of Corrections

Rosemary Brewer, Former Prosecutor, Victims Advocate & Director of Oregon Crime Victims Law Center

Danielle Sered, Founder & Executive Director of Common Justice; Author: Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair

Anthony Pickens