The Return

The documentary follows the newly released prisoners Bilal Chatman and Kenneth Anderson and the people who supported them on their paths to re-entry. ‘The Return’ highlights poignant and timely questions about the criminal justice system and re-entry issues facing communities nationwide; and further invites viewers to answer them. As part of the POV (Point Of View) format’s engagement campaign to build awareness, start conversations and prompt action, POV worked with public television stations, national organisations, community groups and educators to present free screenings of ‘The Return’ across the county. Key partners included the Federal Bureau of Prisons, prisons, jails and juvenile detention centres nationwide, U.S. Attorneys Offices and re-entry organisations and regional management offices. In addition, POV produced a discussion guide that includes information on Three Strikes laws and challenges to re-entry, as well as prompts for dialogue and a list of action steps and resources. POV also produced a standards-aligned lesson plan with free streaming clips that helps high school students develop a deeper understanding of what the experience of re-entry is like for former prisoners and their families.