Joshua Vaughn (Narrator/Reporter)

But they couldn't take Justin's congregants, the actual people who made up the church.

But they couldn't take Justin's congregants, the actual people who made up the church.

Justin was wounded and battle scarred, but he'd learned some valuable lessons on what it meant to be a leader and that standing up for marginalized people was something worth fighting for. When he heard about the deaths at Dauphin County Prison, he was outraged, and he knew, one way or another, that would be his next fight.

Justin was wounded and battle scarred, but he'd learned some valuable lessons on what it meant to be a leader and that standing up for marginalized people was something worth fighting for. When he heard about the deaths at Dauphin County Prison, he was outraged, and he knew, one way or another, that would be his next fight.

From Wondery and PennLive, I'm Joshua Vaughn, and this is Death County, PA.

From Wondery and PennLive, I'm Joshua Vaughn, and this is Death County, PA.

When Justin Douglas was kicked out of the Brethren in Christ, he lost a lot. He lost his home. He lost his steady paycheck. He had two young kids, so he had to hustle to make ends meet. He drove for Uber part-time. And in the mornings, he made people sweat.

When Justin Douglas was kicked out of the Brethren in Christ, he lost a lot. He lost his home. He lost his steady paycheck. He had two young kids, so he had to hustle to make ends meet. He drove for Uber part-time. And in the mornings, he made people sweat.

On top of all that, he was the pastor at the Belong Collective. And he and his congregation wanted to make an impact. When the city proposed clearing out a homeless encampment, the Belong Collective got involved. To Justin and his church, that was just wrong. Justin and the members of his church showed up with a U-Haul to help the displaced people move their belongings.

On top of all that, he was the pastor at the Belong Collective. And he and his congregation wanted to make an impact. When the city proposed clearing out a homeless encampment, the Belong Collective got involved. To Justin and his church, that was just wrong. Justin and the members of his church showed up with a U-Haul to help the displaced people move their belongings.

Justin was a natural leader. But it was still surprising when one day, between CrossFit classes, he got a random phone call.

Justin was a natural leader. But it was still surprising when one day, between CrossFit classes, he got a random phone call.

Run for Something is a group that recruits young progressive leaders and urges them to pursue political office. And they had a proposition for Justin. Run for Dolphin County Commissioner.

Run for Something is a group that recruits young progressive leaders and urges them to pursue political office. And they had a proposition for Justin. Run for Dolphin County Commissioner.

So, Justin started seriously thinking about it.

So, Justin started seriously thinking about it.

Around this time, Justin had come across some of my reporting. And when he read about Jamal Crummel, he was outraged.

Around this time, Justin had come across some of my reporting. And when he read about Jamal Crummel, he was outraged.

And it wasn't just Jamal. Justin learned that there had been 18 deaths in the past four years. He wondered, why were so many people dying at DCP?

And it wasn't just Jamal. Justin learned that there had been 18 deaths in the past four years. He wondered, why were so many people dying at DCP?