Julie Martinelli / WPLN

This is a tragic story. Matthew got out of prison, built a life for himself, volunteered, and became a productive member of his community.

When a Nashville man named Matthew Charles was released from prison early in 2016 after a sentence reduction, he’d spent almost half his life behind bars. But in a rare move, a federal court ruled his term was reduced in error and ordered him back behind bars to finish his sentence.

This is just one example of a criminal justice system that continues to needlessly destroy lives and communities. It needs serious reform.