Join WHYY for a special screening of the documentary series Crime and Punishment in America and panel discussion hosted by WHYY's Cherri Gregg with panelists Lynn Novick (series director) and Larry Krasner (District Attorney of Philadelphia).

Crime and Punishment in America, is a four-part series directed by Lynn Novick, that tells the story of criminal justice in America from the colonial era to today, and explores how for more than 250 years, Americans have wrestled with the problem of crime, the purpose of punishment and the meaning of justice. Executive produced by Ken Burns and Sam Pollard. Narrated by Keith David.


A sweeping look at the American criminal justice system, from the origins of prisons and policing to our continued fascination with crime, the film traces the contours of our imperfect system and how it influences nearly all parts of our society: the media, economics and politics. Through the voices and testimony of those who have committed crimes, experienced incarceration, enforced the law, or lost loved ones to violence, the series explores the cost of America’s choices and the enduring tension between crime and punishment, vengeance and mercy, justice and redemption.

After the screening WHYY’s Cherri Gregg will host a panel discussion that will include the series director, Lynn Novick and and Larry Krasner, District Attorney of Philadelphia. 

CHERRI GREGG, CO-HOST STUDIO 2

Cherri Gregg is co-host of “Studio 2,” WHYY’s flagship local news program that airs live Monday through Thursday at noon on WHYY 90.9 FM and streams on YouTube. She is also creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning Good Souls Project, WHYY’s effort to highlight individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the region.
Prior to her current position, the award-winning journalist covered civil rights, social justice, race and public affairs issues impacting marginalized communities in the Philadelphia region, spending nearly a decade on air at KYW Newsradio, while regularly filing reports for CBS 3 Eyewitness News. Cherri served as KYW Newsradio’s community affairs reporter and was the creator, host and executive producer of the weekly syndicated radio show and podcast “Flashpoint with Cherri Gregg.”  Under her leadership, the show earned two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in 2021. Cherri is also a past president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. She is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Law & Justice Journalism Project.

LAWRENCE S. KRASNER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Lawrence S. Krasner was reelected for a third term as the City of Philadelphia’s 26th District Attorney in
January of 2026. Larry was born in 1961 in St. Louis, the son of a World War II veteran and author father
and evangelist mother. Mr. Krasner has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to social justice by
defending protesters pro bono who were involved various progressive movements. As DA, he has
championed bail reform, diversified the office, and advocated for the end of the death penalty. Krasner
has degrees from the University of Chicago and Stanford Law School, and resides in Philadelphia with his
wife.

LYNN NOVICK, FILMMAKER

Lynn Novick has been making landmark documentary films about American life and culture, history, politics, sports, art, architecture, literature, and music for more than 30 years. As director and producer, she has created more than 100 hours of acclaimed programming for PBS in collaboration with Ken Burns, including most recently their six-hour series, The U.S. and The Holocaust, (co-directed and produced by Sarah Botstein) which received the Alfred I. DuPont Columbia Award and the Television Academy Honors award. Novick’s films  include The Vietnam War, College Behind Bars, Ernest Hemingway, Prohibition, Baseball, Jazz, Frank Lloyd Wright, and The War --  these landmark series have garnered 19 Emmy nominations. Novick herself has received DuPont, Emmy and Peabody Awards. 

Novick’s upcoming projects include an eight hour series for PBS on the history of crime and punishment in America, a three part series on the history and meaning of Central Park, and –  in collaboration with Burns, Botstein and writer Geoffrey C. Ward – a six-hour series on the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Yale with honors in American Studies, and lives in New York City.

DATE & TIME

Thursday, November 12
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

LOCATION

WHYY
150 N. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Free Ticket
This event is free to attend, and optional donations help WHYY continue offering meaningful community programs
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