Chasing Redemption
By Thaisan Nguon
People sentenced to Life Without Parole are capable of change
Dara and Tommy change their life trajectories after their Life Without Parole (LWOP) sentences are commuted. This is a story about the life long road towards redemption.
A survivor of the Cambodian genocide, U.S. immigration policy and Life Without Parole, Thaisan Nguon strives to keep families together and to #EndLWOP. He grew up in Long Beach, CA as the second oldest of 10 siblings and is a current member of the National LWOP Leadership Council.
~btt
About the Issue
Life Without Parole (LWOP) sentences in the U.S. impose a sentence of incarceration for the remainder of an individual's life, with no possibility of release, even if they show signs of change.
These extreme sentences are virtually unheard of in the rest of the world with the U.S. holding a shocking 83 percent of the world’s LWOP incarcerated population. Additionally, in complete disregard of international human rights standards, the U.S. is the only country that subjects children to life without parole sentences.
Via the National LWOP Leadership Council
55%
Racial and ethnic disparities are readily apparent in criminal sentencing data and grow with lengthier sentences. More than half (55%) of all people serving LWOP in 2020 were Black.
$1,934,240,000
The annual national average cost of LWOP sentences, inevitably reducing funding available for services known to help reduce crime.
Via the National LWOP Leadership Council
Take Action
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Support the National LWOP Leadership Council
Learn more about the work Thaisan is doing to end Life Without Parole sentences nationwide and help those sentenced get second chances at freedom.
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Learn about Former Lifers and the good work they're doing
Explore the Human Rights Watch report that highlights 100 people who received LWOP sentences that are now out and doing amazing things in their communities.
IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
Thaisan’s campaign was designed to create a culture change in how society views people serving LWOP and other extreme sentences. It had a specific focus on prosecutor engagement around the use of youth diversion programs as an alternative to incarceration relating to Juvenile Life Without Parole in California (California SB 672).
Campaign highlights:
Chasing Redemption was screened by members of the California Governor’s Office and the advocacy community, which contributed to the momentum for CA Senate Bill 672.
Award-Winning:
Best Documentary at the Golden State Film Festival
Best Short Documentary at the Cambodia Town Film Festival
Silver Telly Award
Accepted into the San Quentin Film Festival
The film was integrated into internal programming across all California state prisons.
Screening highlights include API-Rise and Cal State LA’s law program, including the Long Beach Prosecutor’s Office.
78% of surveyed viewers reported they were "extremely likely" to support life without parole policy reform after watching.
Thaisan’s film and story reached over 85,000 people nationwide.
Special thanks to the following partner organizations:
National LWOP Leadership Council
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Asian Pacific Islander Reentry through Inclusion, Support & Empowerment (API-RISE)
Ironwood State Prison
Cambodia Town Film Festival
Golden State Film Festival
LatinoJustice PRLDEF
The California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR DRP-TV)