Peter B. Collins Presents John Kiriakou
In a follow-up to our last podcast on prison reform, whistleblower and former CIA officer John Kiriakou describes his experience behind bars, at the minimum security Loretto federal prison in Pennsylvania. He describes the impact on his family, official and informal racial segregation, hostility from guards, and the reaction to his series of “Letters from Loretto” published while he was incarcerated. Kiriakou also offers his ideas for prison reform, especially related to nonviolent drug offenders. And he talks about the impact of Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei’s Alcatraz art show that included Kiriakou in a tapestry made of Legos that depicted political prisoners.
*John Kiriakou worked for the CIA and the Senate Intelligence Committee before being prosecuted in retaliation for comments about America’s use of torture. Facing a long sentence under the Espionage Act, Kiriakou accepted a plea deal for 30 months in prison. He currently works at Washington’s Institute for Policy Studies.
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