John Oliver has used “Last Week Tonight” to educate late-night viewers on the harrowing nature of the American prison complex. On Sunday’s episode, he broke down the obstacles faced by Americans once they leave prison by interviewing a former prisoner, Bilal Chapman.
“I guess I’m more worried about being judged for what I used to be. I’m not that same person,” Chapman said.
Because Oliver was worried about pigeon-holing Chapman into being known as The Ex-Prisoner, the host asked Chapman for interesting things not related to his criminal past.
“I would like people to know I grow tomatoes,” Chapman said, before Oliver cut him off and wanted to know more.
Despite the jokes and awards of the show, Oliver said Chapman was “hesitant” to appear on “Last Week Tonight.”
“I may never do this again, I’ve done other interviews,” Chapman said. “This takes me back to being that prisoner again. I’m not that prisoner today. I’m a taxpayer. I work, I’m a citizen, I’m a voter. That’s who I want to be. Those the things that define me today.”
Watch the clip, from HBO, below:
I feel you Mr Oliver,I guess it would have to be like this all of a sudden recognition about heroin use.Until “OTHER” peoples
kids start going to prison for long stints will there be a spotlight put on this issue.IMO.
Ex in ex-prisoner, means no longer a prisoner, like ex-wife means not married to anymore.
Being convicted of a crime isn’t a good thing obviously but it isn’t supposed to ruin the rest of a person’s life. I know if I had experienced prison, I wouldn’t ever want to go back and would get my act together.
President Obama is on this and it’s becoming an issue that can no longer be avoided. The prison industrial complex is like the Military industrial complex in that it is self sustaining and grows exponentially if not strongly monitored and corrected with regularity.
The episode last night was very good/sad/eye opening.
Seeing the man that was exonerated after 30 years being dumped with a $20 gift card was heartbreaking. So was the mother losing her housing because her released son brought her groceries and ex-felons (he became a felon at 16) are not allowed to enter public housing. Seeing the House give Clinton a standing ovation for enacting that policy made me sick.