Addressing Death in Law Enforcement Custody with Dr. Roger Mitchell & Dr. Jay Aronson

On this episode of The Black Futurist podcast, host Bryndan D. Moore is joined by two remarkable individuals who are shedding light on a grave societal matter that demands our attention: Dr. Roger Mitchell Jr. and Dr. Jay Aronson.

The pair are focused on quantifying and minimizing deaths that occur within the US criminal legal system—a haunting public health emergency that often remains hidden from public scrutiny. As the authors of the groundbreaking book "Death in Custody: How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can Do about It," and the hosts of the companion podcast "Official Ignorance," (produced by Bryndan D. Moore for Hip Hop Caucus) Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Aronson bring invaluable insights and storytelling to the forefront.

Dr. Mitchell, a prominent professor and chair of pathology at the Howard University College of Medicine, along with his extensive experience as a forensic pathologist and former Chief Medical Examiner of Washington, DC, shares his expertise on the profound issue of deaths in custody. Dr. Aronson, founder and director of the Center for Human Rights Science at Carnegie Mellon University, and an esteemed professor in the Department of History, contributes his deep understanding of the complex dynamics between science, law, and social justice.

The problem, as discussed in this episode, is staggering: a dire lack of reliable data surrounding deaths that occur during interactions with the criminal legal system, whether in police encounters, during transportation, or within detention facilities. The intentional disregard of this issue by the very institutions tasked with oversight magnifies the urgency for change.

Join us as Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Aronson passionately articulate their motivations behind their powerful collaborative project, detailing their practical and attainable solutions for accurate data collection and comprehensive investigation into these tragic incidents. Their compelling insights pave the way for a transformed future—one where transparency, accountability, and human rights take center stage.

Stay tuned for the launch of "Official Ignorance" in September 2023, and remember that their book, "Death in Custody," is available now wherever books are sold.

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