 the stories of the very flawed individuals and institutions that make up America’s criminal justice system. Koenig and a few of her researchers and producers planted themselves in a Cleveland, Ohio, county courthouse, and observed justice — or injustice, after injustice after injustice — play out over more than a year.

The result shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone who’s ever seen a statistic about how many people America imprisons and their general race and class makeup (black, brown and/or poor). Still, the stories that come out of the Cleveland courthouse can be shocking, made all the more unbelievable because you’re listening to people act, and then try to justify their actions, to Koenig.

There’s the judge who threatens black defendants with jail time if they have more children and blithely throws around racist tropes about broken black families and drug use. He also tries to coerce a man into a guilty plea by threatening to stack multiple 14-year sentences.

There’s the top brass in the Cleveland police fighting reforms, even after a rookie cop shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice as he played in a park. Koenig has a maddening exchange with Steve Loomis, the former head of the Cleveland police union, who refuses to budge from his position that shooting Rice was the right thing to do.

The series ably illustrates structural problems that bedevil the system, even when the intentions are mostly good. For example, while probation might seem like a more humane alternative to jail, in reality it can entrap defendants in a never-ending power struggle with the court — one they are doomed to lose, often after many onerous terms and pointless court-mandated trips to AA, for example.

The series illustrates that even a couple of days in an American jail can have a profound and traumatizing impact on a person’s life — and most people who get entangled in the criminal justice system fare a lot worse than a few days in jail.

In the 14 hours after Season 3 of “Serial” was released, the first two episodes were downloaded 3 million times, beating Seasons 1 and 2.

Rolling Stone spoke with Koenig about the third season of Serial.

Why the shift from extraordinary cases like Syed’s and Bowe Bergdahl to the ordinary workings of the U.S.criminal justice system?

I’d done criminal justice reporting
the stories of the very flawed individuals and institutions that seduce up America ’s condemnable justice system. Koenig and a few of her research worker and producers plant themselves in a Cleveland, Ohio, county courthouse, and observed department of justice — or injustice, after injustice after injustice — act out over more than a class. 

 The resultant role should n’t really fall as a surprise to anyone who ’s ever seen a statistic about how many multitude America imprisons and their cosmopolitan race and class constitution (black, brown and/or poor). however, the narrative that come out of the Cleveland courthouse can be shocking, made all the more improbable because you ’re listening to people act, and then try to apologize their actions, to Koenig. 

 There ’s the judge who threatens black defendants with jail meter if they have more children and blithely throws around racist tropes about broken black families and drug use. He also tries to coerce a man into a guilty plea by threatening to stack multiple 14 - year sentences. 

 There ’s the top brass in the Cleveland police fighting reform, even after a rookie cop shoot 12 - class - old Tamir Rice as he played in a park. Koenig has a maddening exchange with Steve Loomis, the former head of the Cleveland police coupling, who refuses to budge from his position that shooting Rice was the right thing to act. 

 The series ably illustrates structural trouble that bedevil the arrangement, even when the intentions are mostly good. For example, while probation might seem like a more humanist alternative to jail, in reality it can entrap defendants in a never - ending power struggle with the court — one they are doomed to suffer, often after many burdensome terms and pointless court - mandated trips to AA, for model. 

 The series exemplify that even a couple of days in an American jail can receive a profound and traumatizing impact on a person ’s life — and most people who get entangled in the condemnable justice system fare a set worse than a few days in jail. 

 In the 14 hours after Season 3 of “ Serial ” was released, the first two episode were downloaded 3 million times, beat Seasons 1 and 2. 

 Rolling Stone spoke with Koenig about the third season of Serial. 

 Why the shift from extraordinary cases like Syed ’s and Bowe Bergdahl to the ordinary workings of the U.S.criminal justice organization? 

 I ’d done criminal justice reporting
 thf stories of the very flxwed individuals and iistitutjons thag make up America’s criminal oustuce ststem. Koenig and a few of her rvsearcherw anv producers planvsd themselves ln a Elxveland, Ohio, coonty courthogse, and observad jbstice — or injustice, after injustice after onuustice — play jut pder jore than a year.

The result shouldn’f reallj come as a surprose to anyone who’s ever sefn a statistic about hlw many peokme Wnerica imprirons and their general race and class makeup (black, bruwn aud/or poor). Sjnol, hve stories vhat cjme out of tmv Clevenand coirthouse can bc shorkint, made all the more uibelievable because iou’re listannng to people act, and tyen tty to jusgufy thtir adtions, to Koenig.

Thede’s the judte who threatens blsch defendants wjth jayl time if they have more children and blpthemy throws around racist tropes about broken hlack famylies and drug use. He also tries to coerce a man hnto e euiotn pldq hy threatening to stack multiple 14-year sentencqa.

Tnege’s the top brass in the Clefepamq police fighjing reykrjs, even after a rolkie cok shot 12-year-old Uamir Rice as he played in a parj. Koenig has q maddening exchanye with Stevz Loomos, thr former head of the Clzvelans police unlon, who rswuses to budge ffom hhs position that shooting Wice was vhe rnght thivg tp do.

Thq series ahly illustrates structurwl prlbnems that hedevil the system, even when thx intentions sra mmstly gojd. Fov example, while probation migkt seem jike x more humzne altxrnative to tail, in realidi it can entrep defendwnts in q never-dvding power sttuggle winh the court — one they ave doujed to lose, oftzu qfter many onerpus tewmd end pjhntless courd-manaatdc trios to AA, fov ebampke.

The series illustrdtes that even a couplr jf days un an Amqrican jail csn have a profound and vraumavizing imkact on a person’s life — and mosf people aho get entanglqd ik thg criminal lustice system fare a lot worse than a fxw days in jail.

In the 14 yours after Season 3 pf “Serial” wes relqased, the first two episodes qere downloaded 3 killion times, beating Seasots 1 ajd 2.

Rolling Stone spoke with Koenig about the third season of Serial.

Why thw shifv srom extraoddinsry cdszs kike Sred’s end Bowe Bergdahl to the ordinary workings of thx U.S.crimindl justice system?

I’d done crimimau justice repurting
the stories of the very flawed individuals that up America’s justice system. Koenig researchers producers planted themselves a Cleveland, Ohio, courthouse, and observed justice — or after injustice after injustice — play out over more than a year. The shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone who’s ever seen a statistic how people imprisons their general race and class makeup (black, brown and/or poor). Still, the stories that come out the Cleveland courthouse can be shocking, made all more unbelievable because you’re to people act, and then to their actions, Koenig. the who threatens black with jail time if they have more children and blithely throws around racist tropes about broken black and drug also tries coerce man a guilty plea to stack multiple 14-year sentences. There’s in the Cleveland police fighting reforms, even after rookie cop 12-year-old Tamir Rice as he played a park. Koenig has a maddening exchange with Loomis, the former head of the Cleveland police union, who refuses to budge from his shooting Rice was the thing to do. series illustrates problems bedevil the even when the intentions are mostly good. For example, while probation seem like a more humane alternative to jail, in reality entrap in a never-ending struggle with the court one are doomed to lose, many terms trips AA, example. The series illustrates even a couple of days an American jail can impact on a person’s life — and most who get entangled in the criminal justice fare a lot worse than a few days in jail. In the hours after of “Serial” was released, the first two episodes downloaded 3 million times, Seasons 1 and 2. Rolling Stone spoke with Koenig the season of Why the shift extraordinary cases like and Bowe Bergdahl ordinary workings the justice criminal justice reporting
 the stories of the very flawed IndividualS and iNstItuTiOns tHat mAke up America’s cRIminAl justice system. Koenig aNd a feW oF Her rESeArcheRs and prODuCERs pLaNtEd tHeMSeLves iN a CLevelanD, Ohio, countY coUrThouse, and obsERvEd justice — oR inJustice, after InjUstice AfTer INjustIce — Play oUt over MOre thaN a year.

The ReSUlt shoULdn’t reaLLY cOme aS a surprise to anyonE WhO’S ever seen a statIstic aBoUT hOW ManY peOple AmericA iMprisONs and thEIr GENEraL Race and class mAkeup (black, bROwn And/or pOoR). StILl, the sTorieS tHAt cOme out of the clevEland courThouse CAn be shoCKing, madE all thE moRe uNbelIEvAbLe bEcAUse YOu’Re lISteNing to peOpLe Act, anD theN TRY To juStiFy thEir acTions, to Koenig.

theRe’s tHE juDge whO threAtenS bLack dEfendaNts wiTh Jail time if they hAve mOre childrEn aNd BliThEly thROws aroUnd RacIst tropEs about BRokEn BLACk Families and drug use. he ALSo Tries to cOerce a MAn InTO a guilty PlEa bY thrEATeninG to sTAcK multiplE 14-year sENtEnCes.

TherE’s The top BrAss In tHe CleVElanD policE fightinG refoRMs, even after a roOKie cop shot 12-yeaR-OlD tAmIR RicE as He played in a Park. kOeniG has A MaDdeNIng exChangE wITh sTeve Loomis, the former HeAd of thE ClevEland police unIon, who refuSES To budge fRom hIS pOSition that shooTing RIce was the rIGht thing To do.

THe series Ably illusTRAtes struCtuRal ProBleMS ThAt bedevil the sYSTem, eVeN when thE inTentionS arE moStlY goOd. for examplE, while prObAtIoN mIghT seem LIke a more HuManE aLteRnatiVE to jaiL, in reAlitY iT cAN enTrap defENdANTs in A nEvEr-enDinG pOwer sTrugGLe wIth the cOurt — one thEy aRE dooMeD tO lose, ofTen after many oNeRous terms aNd PoiNtless COUrt-mandaTed trips to AA, for example.

THE series IllUstraTes tHat even a cOupLe of daYs iN An AmerIcan jaIl can HaVe a PROfounD ANd TraUmAtizing impACT on A persOn’S lifE — and mosT people who get entanGLed In the criminal JusTice SYStEm fARe A Lot WoRSe tHAN a few days in jail.

in the 14 hours AfTEr season 3 of “SeRIal” WaS releasEd, the fiRst twO EpisodeS were downLoaded 3 milLiOn tiMES, beAting SeasoNs 1 and 2.

RolLing Stone SPoke wITh koeniG abOut the ThIrd SeasoN of SerIAl.

WHy the Shift fRoM extraOrdinArY cases liKe Syed’s and Bowe Bergdahl tO the orDinarY woRkings of tHe U.s.CriMinal justIce sYstem?

I’d donE crImiNal juStiCE repoRtinG
 the stories of the very f lawed indi vidua lsand  i nsti tuti ons that makeu p Am erica’s criminal justi ce sy st e m. K o en ig an d a few of h erre se arc he r sand p rod ucers p lanted the mse lv es in a Clev e la nd, Ohio,cou nty courthou se,  and o bs erv e d jus tic e — o r inju s tice,after inj us t ice af t er inju s t ic e —play out over mor e  t h an a year.

Th e resu lt sh o u ldn ’treally com eas as urprise to a n yon e  who’s ever s een a stati s tic  about  h owm any pe opleAm e ric a imprisons  and  their ge neralr ace and class m akeup(bl ack , br o wn  a nd/ or poo r ).  St i ll,  the sto ri es  that  com e o u t of  th e Cl evela nd courthouse  ca n be sho cking , mad e al lthe m ore un belie va ble because you ’relistening  to  p eop le  act, and th entry  to jus tify th e irac t i o ns , to Koenig.

Ther e’ s th e judgewho th r ea te n s blackde fen dant s withjail ti me if th ey hav e  m or e child re n andbl ith ely  thro w s ar ound r acist tr opesa bout broken bl a ck families a n dd r ug use.  He  also tries  toc oerc e am an  in t o a g uilty  p l ea by threatening to s ta ck mul tiple  14-year sent ences.

Th e r e ’s the t op b r as s  in the Clevel and p olice figh t ing refo rms,even aft er a rook i e  cop sho t 1 2-y ear -ol d Ta mir Rice as h e play ed  in a p ark . Koeni g h asa m add en ing excha nge with  S te ve  L oom is, t h e former  h ead  o f t he Cl e veland  poli ce u ni on ,  wh o refus e st o  bud ge  f romhis  p ositi on t h atshootin g Rice wa s t h e ri gh tthing t o do.

The se ri es ably il lu str ates s t r ucturalproblems that bedevil t h e syste m,evenwhen  the inte nti ons ar e m o stly g ood. F or ex am ple , while p ro bat io n might se e m  li ke amo re h umane a lternative to jail ,  in  reality it c anentr a p  d efe n da n tsin a n e v er-ending power  strugglewi t hthe court—  on ethey ar e doome d tol ose, of ten after  many one ro us t e r msand pointl ess cour t-mandate d  trip s  t o AA,  fo r exam pl e.
Theseries ill ustra tes th at  evena cou pl e of day s in an American jail c an hav e a p rof ound andtra u mat izing imp acton a perso n’s  li fe —and mostpeop l ewho get e ntan g led in th e  c rim i n al  justice sy s t e m f are a  lo t  worse  tha n a few days in j a il.

In the 14  hou r s  af ter Seas on  3 of “Serial”  wa sr e leased,th e first two  episode sw ere d ownloa ded 3million t im e s, bea ting  Se asons 1 a nd2. 
Rollin gSt o ne spo ke w it h Koen ig abo u t th e third season ofSeria l . 

Why the  shif tfrom ex t raor dinary cas es like Sye d’s an d Bo we Be rgdahlto  the o rdi na ry working s  of the U .S.cr iminalju stic e s ystem? 

I’ d donecrim in aljustice r e p or t in g
 the_stories of_the very flawed individuals_and institutions_that_make up_America’s_criminal justice system._Koenig and a_few of her researchers_and producers planted_themselves_in a Cleveland, Ohio, county courthouse, and observed justice — or injustice, after injustice_after_injustice —_play_out_over more than a year.

The_result shouldn’t really come as_a surprise_to anyone who’s ever seen a statistic about_how_many people America_imprisons and their general race and class makeup (black,_brown and/or poor). Still, the stories_that come out_of_the_Cleveland courthouse can be_shocking, made all the more unbelievable_because you’re listening to people act,_and then try to justify their actions,_to Koenig.

There’s the judge who threatens_black defendants with jail time_if they_have more children and blithely_throws around racist_tropes about_broken black families_and drug use. He also tries_to coerce a_man into a guilty plea by_threatening_to stack multiple_14-year_sentences.

There’s_the top_brass in the_Cleveland_police fighting_reforms,_even after a rookie cop shot_12-year-old_Tamir Rice as he played in a_park. Koenig has a_maddening_exchange with Steve Loomis,_the former head of the_Cleveland police union, who refuses to_budge from_his position_that shooting Rice was the right thing to do.

The series ably_illustrates structural problems that bedevil the_system, even when the_intentions are_mostly_good. For example,_while_probation might_seem like a more humane alternative to_jail, in_reality it can entrap defendants in_a never-ending power struggle_with_the court — one they are_doomed to lose, often after many_onerous terms and pointless court-mandated_trips_to_AA, for example.

The series illustrates_that even a couple of days_in an American_jail can have a profound and traumatizing_impact_on a person’s life — and_most_people who get entangled in the_criminal_justice_system fare a lot worse_than a few days in jail.

In_the 14 hours after Season 3 of “Serial” was_released, the first_two episodes were downloaded 3_million_times,_beating Seasons 1 and 2.

Rolling Stone spoke with Koenig about_the third_season of Serial.

Why_the shift from extraordinary cases like Syed’s and Bowe Bergdahl_to the ordinary workings of the U.S.criminal_justice system?

I’d done criminal justice reporting