Sentenced to life for crimes committed as a child, Terrence Graham fought his case all the way to the Supreme Court and won, transforming the nation's juvenile justice system. After 21 years, he's finally getting out - but is life outside just another prison?
SYNOPSIS
Arrested at 16 for robbery and sentenced to life without parole, Terrence Graham fought his way to the Supreme Court and won a chance at freedom. In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled in Graham v. Florida that children convicted of crimes other than murder could not be sentenced to life without the chance of parole. The decision changed sentencing of young people across the country and Terrence himself was re-sentenced: he wouldn’t die in prison. But even as thousands of people were released off his case, Terrence remained locked up for 20 years. It wasn’t until February 15, 2024, that Terrence Graham walked out of the Duval County Jail at 37 years old.
THE PRISON OUTSIDE is an autobiographical film about Terrence’s next chapter. It’s about the freedom he won in Graham v. Florida and the freedom he still does not have.
On strict probation, Terrence has to complete two years of house arrest and GPS monitoring while finding his footing in a world he has never experienced as an adult. Any mistake could send him back to prison.
Success not only requires Terrence to make it through probation—he also has to mature into adulthood, revisiting memories of childhood and incarceration to unlock the freedom he fought so hard to get.
Borrowing extensively from the visual language and storytelling devices of narrative film, THE PRISON OUTSIDE seeks to immerse audiences in the intimate, everyday experiences of what the prison system does to people and families impacted by the carceral state—one in every two families in America. The film puts a magnifying glass up to the little moments of freedom that Terrence and his family experience so we can all savor their joy. And it cuts through those moments with the very real fear and oppression they continue to face while he is on probation. Through Terrence’s story, told in his words, from his perspective, this film makes the case that the chance of freedom should never be taken from a young person, showing how the rules of probation, house arrest, and ankle monitors can create a prison in the free world.
Director Statement
I’m making this film to share my journey from a challenging childhood, through my years in prison, to my eventual triumph and freedom. By sharing my story, I hope to challenge perceptions about former inmates and make the case that everyone deserves a second chance.
On a personal level, making this film has challenged me to examine the ways in which my behaviors today reflect some of the values and unhealthy ways of relating that I learned in prison and the years leading up to my arrest. Telling my story in this form has allowed me to process, heal and even reach some level of closure. Success for me is seeing this film resonate with audiences, sparking empathy and understanding. It means receiving feedback from viewers who feel inspired or moved to reflect on their own lives and the lives of those around them.
This film is a culmination of my life's journey, representing a significant chapter in my ongoing quest for redemption and purpose. It aligns with my goal of using my experiences to help others and contribute to societal change.The impact of this film extends beyond me, as it aims to inspire, educate, and foster a more compassionate and just world. In summary, this film is not just about my story; it's about the power of resilience, the necessity of hope, and the potential for transformation. Through this project, I hope to make a meaningful contribution to both the film industry and society at large.
- Terrence Graham
Supporter Statement
In the week before his release, Terrence Graham wrote to us to express the importance of this documentary to him: “I feel like this is something I have to do,” he explained, calling the opportunity to collaborate as a producer “a dream come true.”
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Co-Director, Producer Meg Shutzer
Meg is an award-winning filmmaker whose work seeks to interrogate power and elevate stories from communities that have been historically underrepresented. Meg’s documentaries, supported by Hulu, SFFilm, Berkeley Film Foundation, IF/Then and Field of Vision, have screened on five continents and won numerous awards at festivals. Their most recent investigation into a juvenile detention center was published on the front page of The New York Times and was a Finalist for the Livingston and Dart Awards. Their documentaries include, MOTHER (2024), 8 Days at Ware (2022, PBS) Knocking Down the Fences (2021, PBS) and New Generation Queens (2015, Amazon).
Co-Director, Director of Photography Brandon Yadegari Moreno
Brandon is a multilingual filmmaker based in San Francisco. Through an intimate filmmaking style, he tells character-driven stories that humanize and uplift participants. His directorial and cinematography credits include MOTHER (2024), Quiet On Set (2024, HBO), Latino Vote (2024, PBS), Observer (2025), and The Last Class (2025). Brandon’s other work has appeared on FRONTLINE PBS, in The Atlantic, and The Guardian while being recognized by the duPont, Peabody, and Scripps Howard awards. His ongoing projects are supported by the Big Sky Film Institute and the SFFILM House Residency. Brandon holds a master’s degree from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.
Terrence was the plaintiff in a landmark Supreme Court decision that ended life sentences for children who commit non-capital offenses. He is also a co-founder of Plead The 8th, a non-profit dedicated to championing a more restorative approach to justice. Since winning his freedom, Terrence's advocacy has taken him to Washington, DC to meet with judicial activists, attorneys, and families impacted by mass incarceration through the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. He is the author of Breaking chains my journey from prison to freedom and co-creator and host of the podcast Playing From Behind / Building Blocks.
Rahsaan Thomas, known as “New York” on the Pulitzer Prize finalist and Dupont Award-winning podcast Ear Hustle is a contributing writer for The Marshall Project, San Quentin News, and Current. While incarcerated, the Sundance Institute and The Marshall Project awarded Rahsaan grants to direct and produce a short documentary Friendly Signs. Rahsaan also produced What These Walls Won’t Hold on PBS. He is the Executive Director of Empowerment Avenue, an organization that works to develop the careers of incarcerated writers, artists, journalists, and filmmakers. Rahsaan is the founder of the San Quentin Film Festival.
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