Laura Flanders Show

These Films Keep People Out Of Prison

What if judges could know a person more completely before sentencing them to prison? An organization called Complete Picture uses the power of film and storytelling to give judges an in-depth, humanizing look at the lives of defendants facing prison for non-violent crimes. All of Complete Picture's films have resulted in a sentence reduction and half of their clients received no prison time at all. In this episode, Laura speaks with the project's founding filmmakers, whose own experience of incarceration inspired the project. She interviews a defense attorney who's seen the impact on judges and talks with two defendants about how these video portraits changed their lives-and not just in the courtroom. Could films like theirs help transform the justice system across the country? Find out how in this episode.