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Wilbert Rideau, Journalist and Former Prisoner

Wilbert Rideau spent 44 years in prison after killing a woman. He came to terms with what he had done and started working on the prison newspaper and became an acclaimed journalist

Wilbert Rideau spent 44 years in prison in America after robbing a bank, kidnapping the three employees and killing one of them.

During his time in prison he gradually came to terms with what he had done and started working on the prison newspaper becoming an acclaimed journalist.

He was released after a retrial in 2005.

So what does his experience say about America's views of punishment and redemption?

He talks to Carrie Gracie on The Interview.

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sat 12 Feb 201110:32GMT
  • Sat 12 Feb 201119:32GMT
  • Sun 13 Feb 201107:32GMT
  • Sun 13 Feb 201114:32GMT
  • Mon 14 Feb 201104:32GMT

BBC World Service Archive

BBC World Service Archive

This programme was restored as part of the World Service archive project