The Center for Justice and Union Theological Seminary are pleased to present the inaugural Beyond the Bars film and discussion series. The documentary series has been carefully curated to stimulate discussion on the expansive injustices of the US carceral system and how incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, their families, and allies are fighting for freedom and dignity before during, and after incarceration. A discussion panel of filmmakers and directly impacted leaders from the movement to end incarceration will follow each documentary.

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EVENT #2: Screening of Beyond Survival

Location: Union Theological Seminary, Stewart Room
Time: Friday, March 7 at 2pm
Description: Produced by Women & Justice Project and Kashif Incubator, Beyond Survival tells the story of New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) and the powerful leadership of currently and formerly incarcerated survivors in creating change.

Through compelling interviews with legislators, judges, and advocates – including survivors of abuse and long-term incarceration, Beyond Survival narrates the 10-year campaign for the DVSJA and spotlights critical efforts – led by Survivors Justice Project – to implement this groundbreaking sentencing reform.

As a result of determined advocacy by survivors and legal teams, the DVSJA has been used to secure the release of 68 survivors, saving 175 years of incarceration as of September 2024. While this progress is hopeful, more needs to be done. Some survivors have been denied relief under the DVSJA, some are excluded from the Act’s provisions, and many have yet to apply. In addition, while the DVSJA is groundbreaking, it is only one step in the larger effort to transform our criminal legal system and end gender-based violence.