“Cellblocks to Mountaintops” is a multimedia podcast with a companion video series. It delves into how America addresses violence, defines justice, and seeks accountability through the compelling journey of one man. Years after committing harm, Sterling Cunio confronts the full ripple effects of his actions.  Through artistic expression, human connections, and inspired by restorative justice principles, he undergoes a remarkable personal transformation during decades in prison.

In this episode, Sterling’s intense educational pursuits led him to a class on restorative justice, where he developed a vision for completely changing the toxic prison culture where he’d likely spend the rest of his life. What started as a path toward forgiving himself grew into a tool for brokering peace and mediating clashes between gangs inside. We hear from Danielle Sered, Executive Director of Common Justice, a foremost expert on alternatives to incarceration.

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