The Australian government has been keeping a family in detention on Christmas Island for years. One of the children has become sick. The Columnist talks to the people trying to free them, and he writes about the deep shame that comes with locking up children. 

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.