Schedule of Events:
10-10:20 a.m. Welcome by Wendy Petersen, assistant county administrator for justice and law
10:20-11:20 a.m. Film introduction and screening of “The Released”
11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Lunch
12:20-1:20 p.m. Panel Discussion
1:20-1:30 p.m. Special Presentation
1:30-1:50 p.m. Discussion with “Not Broken” film director
1:50-2:50 p.m. Screening of “Not Broken”
2:50-3 p.m. Close of Show The former inmate trying to adjust to “real life” after being released from incarceration is a fairly common movie trope. Whether the protagonist just got out on parole or completed an extended sentence, the story often revolves around their effort to stay out of jail and make a legitimate living, plans for revenge or a scheme to make a final big score by returning to a life of crime. Only rarely does the plot focus on the day-to-day battles of former inmates.
On Thursday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the
Pima County Safety and Justice Challenge will present a pair of documentaries at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., that examines the reality of life after incarceration for the mentally ill.
“
The Released” from Public Broadcasting’s award-winning
Frontline series begins at 10:20 a.m. The 54-minute film follows a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of substance abuse as he struggles with living in a homeless shelter and staying on his medication. The second film, “
Not Broken” from
Arizona Public Media, looks at the challenges faced by a group of local young people living with mental health challenges and the lingering effects of sexual abuse, poverty
and bullying as they try to avoid incarceration. It runs 57 minutes.
The day also will include a panel discussion featuring “Not Broken” co-director Gisela Telis; Clarke Romans, Executive Director of
NAMI Southern Arizona; and Sgt. Jason Winsky, head of the
Tucson Police Department’s Mental Health Support Team. Safety and Justice Challenge Program Manager Terrance Cheung will moderate the discussion.
A complimentary lunch will be offered to all attendees following the morning session. Also during the intermission, the local Safety and Justice Challenge will unveil a special outreach project intended to spotlight the SJC’s mission.
Seating is limited. Please
RSVP online. For questions, contact Spencer Graves by phone, 520-724-9306 or
email.