HINOJOSA: Because things change, Ailsa. At Graterford State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania, Suave joined the largest population of juvenile lifers in the countrymen considered by . As a result of the ruling, Suave and thousands more in his position might have the opportunity to walk free. As a Soros Justice Media Fellow, she spent 2019 documenting the human repercussions of changing legal policies along the U.S.-Mexico border. I tried eight times before I passed it. Luis Suave Gonzalez - Mural Arts Philadelphia I spoke with Suave a few days before the decision was ruled. Never in my life did I think we could win a Pulitzer. And if you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Suave tells the story of what happens when your whole world is a prison cell, and you suddenly get a second chance at life. When Calle Walton lost her sight for good 10 years ago, she began to change her dreams of acting, andfocus on teaching instead.Typically positive Stay informed with our free email updates, Concord Monitor Report For America Education, Concord Monitor Report For America Health, Support the But he soon realizes there are limits to how much freedom he can ever truly have, and Maria realizes there are limits to how much she can help him. I definitely respect that but the average person is not mentally strong enough to face a life sentence and then have more obstacles than opportunities and still become something. Its the account of one mans incarceration and redemption and an unusual relationship between a journalist and a man convicted of murder. Fantasy Premier League FPL Lessons: David Luiz wins out in Sarri shake-up. Everything - phones, computers. Then in 2016, the Supreme Court decided the case of Montgomery v Louisiana and ruled that Miller had to be applied retroactively. Suave returns to prison. And that someone was Maria. The story follows David Luis 'Suave' Gonzalez from boy to man, and explores incarceration, redemption, and the often unusual relationship between a journalist and a source. CHANG: And Suave, can you take me back to that moment? Jennifer Amell. But I still didn't believe it to November 20, 2017, when they opened that gate and said, you are a free man. He had gotten a life sentence as a juvenile without the possibility of parole. But as Suave readies for life on the outside, his excitement gives way to a never ending list of fears about what life outside of prison might be like. I never had a program that DOC gave me. Edmond, Oklahoma. There are still several episodes to go in this podcast, so I don't know how the story ends up. Back behind bars, Suave suffers flashbacks and struggles deeply to adjust, and Maria questions the entire parole system. You have this dilemma with Suave - trying to keep some journalistic distance from him in the beginning, but then developing a genuine friendship with him, genuine affection. Maggie is an Adjunct Professor at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY and formerly the Producer-at-Large for Latino USA. CHANG: David Luis "Suave" Gonzalez is the focus of the new podcast "Suave." But in journalism, a source is somebody that could report what - the injustices taking place behind these prison walls that society don't know about. Back behind bars, Suave suffers flashbacks and struggles deeply to adjust, and Maria questions the entire parole system. Thats the way we change the world. The podcast is distributed byPRXand was released free to audiences in February 2021. Hes become a man and built a life behind bars. And I want to talk to Maria about that because, Maria, you essentially become a character in this podcast, which is a choice - right? And I trusted her, and I still do. In addition, PRX distributes trusted and treasured public radio programming to hundreds of stations nationwide, including The World, The Moth Radio Hour, This American Life, Snap Judgment, Reveal, The Takeaway, and Latino USA. PRX programs have been recognized by the Peabody Awards, the duPont-Columbia Awards, the IDA Documentary Awards, and the Pulitzer Prizes. That's when it hit me. So this is the particular thing about journalists' source - is that it doesn't look like just one thing. Audrey Quinn is a documentary audio reporter and editor. What gave you the motivation even to keep breathing, bro? But in journalism, a source is somebody that could report what - the injustices taking place behind these prison walls that society don't know about. Suave contacted Mural Arts of Philadelphia and his wall murals started showing up around the city. Suave returns to prison. We had a secret, unspoken bond. Incarceration, Oral History & 'Suave' with David Luis "Suave" Gonzalez And I was like, wow, somebody really cared because in street term, a source is a snitch. Suave, as he likes to be called, was. I feel like Im leaving my brothers behind.. I mean, I was really struck by something you said in the first episode - that, quote, "We have this tool that we journalists can use, which is our humanity" - that if you give humanity, you're going to get it back. Support for this podcast provided by the Art for Justice Fund, a special project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and The Heising-Simons Foundation: Unlocking knowledge, opportunity, and possibilities. In many statesincluding Pennsylvania, where Gonzalez. I'm like a baby learning how to be a decent human being. CHANG: It is fascinating to listen to both of you describe all the complex layers that come into a relationship between journalist and source. During her eight years as CNNs urban affairs correspondent, Hinojosa often took viewers into communities rarely shown on television and continued that work longform on Now on PBS. Support the work of PVS by sponsoring this event! Faces of formerly incarcerated adorn downtown Philly building Suave, as he likes to be called, was serving a life sentence without parole for a crime he committed when he was 17 years old. Because I was illiterate, I really didn't understand the process. Co-Host. We had to fight DOC to create programs in order for us to have one chance to get in one class. GONZALEZ: And I always tell people, like, we never know who we're going to touch. And I felt like I was breaking that bond. Juvenile life without parole sentences disproportionately hit Black and brown children. Imagine following a story for almost 30 years - the ups, the downs and the relationship that evolves between reporter and source. David Luis 'Suave' Gonzalez. In remarks during the announcement of this year's winners, John Daniszewski of the Associated Press and co-chair of . Learn how your comment data is processed. My God theres so many more important things in life. Suave is moved to a new prison and meets someone in his block who is getting a lot of attention. Latino USA and Futuro Studios Winners at the 2023 New York Festivals Radio Awards, April 20, 2023 / New York Festivals Radio Awards, La Brega: Bonus Track Songs for the Future of Puerto Rico, La Brega Podcast Deepens Its Stories of Puerto Rico With a Star-Studded Soundtrack: As Seen on Rolling Stone, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). A Philadelphia judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Now nearly 50, Suave has come to terms with the fact that he will never leave the confines of SCI Graterford. HINOJOSA: That's the thing. Im getting out of jail, and when I mean getting out, I mean mentally. 116 in July 2010. Its a circle and it goes on and on.. 379 Followers, 41 Following, 39 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Luis Suave Gonzalez (@suave_gonzalez) You can do that on your own. His paintings are also on display at the Morton Contemporary Gallery. Journalist Maria Hinojosa who has communicated with Gonzalez for nearly 30 years also realizes there are limits to how much she can help as he navigates the realities of conditional freedom. Sentenced at age 17, David Luis "Suave" Gonzalez was serving life without parole when he met reporter Maria Hinojosa. Maria Hinojosa is the Anchor and Executive Producer of the Peabody Award-winning show Latino USA, distributed by PRX, as well as Co-Host of In The Thick, Futuro Medias award-winning political podcast, Hinojosa has informed millions about the changing cultural and political landscape in America and abroad. And I'm at a point in my career when I can say it makes me a better journalist. You got to know how to read and write. That little place right here changed my whole life. At Futuro Media, Hinojosa continues to bring attention to experiences and points of view that are often overlooked or underreported in mainstream media, all while mentoring the next generation of diverse journalists to delve into authentic and nuanced stories. A Latino juvenile lifer, Suave had been on what he described as a suicide mission. Based in Harlem and founded in 2010 by award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, Futuro Media is committed to telling stories and uplifting voices and perspectives often overlooked by mainstream media. In a shockingly backwarddecision authored by Justice Kavanaugh, the Court reinstated juvenile life without parole. That our podcast focusing on people that are often forgotten just because they are behind bars is being recognized is an extraordinary feat. Martinelli previously wrote for CBS-46 in Atlanta, the Gwinnett Daily Post, and the Atlanta Latino Newspaper. Our partnership demonstrates the heights we can reach together in public media. The Pulitzer Prizesannouncedthe winners of the 2022 awards, naming the podcast series Suave fromFuturo Studiosand public media organizationPRXas the winner in theAudio Reportingcategory. Gonzalez was sentenced to life in prison for homicide when he was 17 and spent 33 years behind bars. If you're asking me today, yes, I consider Maria my friend. At Graterford State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania, Suave joined the largest population of juvenile lifers in the country, young men considered by the U.S. justice system to be irredeemable. Then, in 2016, a Supreme Court decision changed everything. And Ive pretty much taken every avenue that I could possibly take in prison to rehabilitate myselfMinors do have the ability to change.. No, no, no, he's not a friend. From prison to podcast: 'Suave' explores the friendship between a We cant change the world fighting over whos right or wrong. Mike Levin/Getty Images David Luis "Suave" Gonzalez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole when he was 17. I never dreamed that it would be this good. We explore the tactics of ruthless prosecutors in the 80s, and how Pennsylvania become the state that sentenced the most juveniles in the country to life in prison without parole. Public Media Shes been invited to discuss her reporting on WBEZs Morning Shift, WAMUs 1A and NPRs Up First podcast. Now nearly 50, Suave has come to terms with the fact that he will never leave the confines of SCI Graterford. Jones committed his horrible crime when he did not have access to medications he was taking for his mental health issues. suave@deathbyincacerationpodcast.com. In 1988, David Luis Suave Gonzalez was found guilty of first-degree homicide. I'm still trying to understand society for what it is. I spent seven years there and in them seven years, another gentleman showed me how to read and write. I mean, listen, I put it like this: our struggle and our journey in the prison system prepare us for this. 70% of all juveniles serving life without parole are people of color. Thank you so much for joining us, both of you. He was 17 years old when he was sentenced to life in prison. I began reading every law book, I began learning their system, to the point where I could memorize all of the rules and regulations and pinpoint when they was violating my rights. Imagine following a story for almost 30 years - the ups, the downs and the relationship that evolves between reporter and source. 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalists for audio included NPR and NBC News. The Miller and Montgomery cases led to a review of Suaves sentence and his release from incarceration in 2017 after over 30 years behind bars. They told me I couldnt get a degree, and I left there with two degrees. She is the author of two books and has won dozens of awards, including four Emmys, the John Chancellor Award, the Studs Terkel Community Media Award, two Robert F. Kennedy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club, and the Ruben Salazar Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAHJ. Everything I knew up to that point was as a child in prison. Education was just another tool to fight the system. Contact us today about becoming a sponsor! Did you hope that education would lead to finding you a way home? Invite your employees, members, and customers as a. Suave | iHeart David Luiz 2023: Girlfriend, net worth, tattoos, smoking - Taddlr Every program that I took, we created. But over the years, they became close. Actually, Disneys Lawsuit Against DeSantis Is Really Troubling. Youre amazing. And on the day of Suaves release, Maria travels to Pennsylvania to bring him home. I don't know - because, Suave, we didn't even talk about it 'cause it's like you're in for life. Fifteen seconds. Your focus is not nonsense no more. On his way to court, Suave is surprised by the smell of fresh air as he boards a bus and leaves the prison grounds for the first time in decades. One of them was David Luis "Suave" Gonzalez, who entered prison at 17 expecting to leave in a coffin. It has a value and people care. DAVID LUIS "SUAVE" GONZALEZ: It hit me almost 10 years later that I have a life sentence, that I'm going to die in prison. You have to say, you know what, I got nothing to lose and everything to gain. At Graterford State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania, Suave joined the largest population of juvenile lifers in the countrymen considered by the justice system to be irredeemable for acts committed when they were just teenagers.