Explore the origin of prison for profit in America

This week's guest on The Rob Burgess Show is Robin Bernstein, author of "Freeman's Challenge: The Murder That Shook America's Original Prison for Profit."

Hello and welcome to The Rob Burgess Show. I am, of course, your host, Rob Burgess.

On this our 248th episode, our guest is Robin Bernstein.

Robin Bernstein is the Dillon Professor of American History and Professor of African and African American Studies and Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Harvard University. She is the author of “Racial Innocence: Performing American Childhood from Slavery to Civil Rights,” which won five awards. Her latest book, “Freeman's Challenge: The Murder That Shook America's Original Prison for Profit,” was released from The University of Chicago Press on May 2, 2024.

In this episode, I mentioned Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. Here are some photos from my visit:

Robin and I discussed the differences between the Auburn system and the Pennsylvania system, which were each terrible in their own ways.

On a separate note: For an upcoming podcast, I’ll be watching last night’s debate between Trump and Biden sometime this weekend. I’m almost afraid to ask, but what did you think? What were your reactions?

Well, that’s all I have for you this week. Talk to you next Friday.

Best,

Rob