Journal #3 NPR Radio Interview Analysis

Missouri Sees Teen Offenders as Kids, Not Inmates
By: Jason Beaubien

At the beginning of the report Robert Seagal who acts just like an anchor gave background information on the topic. Seagal states that 100,000 children in the U.S. is brought to juvenile correction and then explains the differences between Texas and Missouri. Texas houses their juveniles in an adult style facility and Missouri houses their juveniles in a college dorm like facility. He then introduces Jason Beaubien who is the reporter of this story.
Beaubien starts the interview by introducing a source named Tim Decker who runs the Missouri Division of Youth Services.Beaubien also mentions that Decker's goal for the youth is to not turn back after their treatment. Then Decker speaks and says that 7.3% discharged children with new offenses come back to them and they have a low offense rate. Beaubien after this statement then compares the rate to California which is 70% to 80% of children that may go back with new offenses. Decker than speaks that in his facility they treat their young students firmly, seriously, and humanely. His first primary action is public safety and if these young people are a problem in the community then it must stop. After the interview with Tim Decker, Jason Beaubien interviews a student named Reggie. Reggie's testimonial about how his life is changing due to the treatment in this facility makes a huge impact on the story. Beaubien speaks about Reggie's background and how chaotic his life was in the past.
While analyzing this interview I noticed that Beaubien did not formally ask the interviewee questions, instead his statements would lead into what the interviewee is going to say next and this style seems to be his strategy. There are many examples on the second paragraph on how Beaubien does this. The background information also plays an effect on the story and also knowing the interviewees beforehand. I've learned that an interview does not always have to be a question from the interviewer and the interviewee would have to answer in response to what was asked. There are other strategies that can make the interview successful.

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