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After Prison, He Became a Lawyer to Help Those Still Behind Bars

Creative Commons

This story originally aired on December 16, 2017.

Christopher Poulos is the head of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council, dedicated to helping those who have been through the criminal justice system.

It’s the kind of job that he is uniquely qualified for.

As a teenager, Poulos struggled with severe substance abuse, leading him into homelessness and then incarceration. He saw the problems of the justice system firsthand, especially how it disenfranchised the poor and people of color.

This inspired Poulos to do what seemed nearly impossible -- earn a law degree, serve in the White House and, eventually, lead Washington's efforts to improve outcomes for ex-offenders.

 

Gabriel Spitzer is a former KNKX reporter, producer and host who covered science and health and worked on the show Sound Effect.