Episode #32: “From Commutation to Community: Kyle Hedquist’s Oregon Story

Recorded on the ground at the FAMM Conference’s Second Chances Working Group, this special episode features a candid conversation with Kyle Hedquist of the Oregon Justice Resource Center. After spending 28 years inside and receiving a rare Governor’s commutation, Kyle has turned his second chance into a mission for systemic change. We discuss his journey from youth incarceration to release, how he navigated the transition home, and the powerful advocacy work he’s now leading in Oregon. Kyle reflects on what it means to rebuild a life after nearly three decades and how he’s leveraging his experience to push for policy reform and community-centered justice. This is a story of resilience, responsibility, and the long arc of transformation.