The Tribeca Film Festival on April 17 unveiled “The Return,” a documentary that follows former inmates returning to families and society after serving years in prison due to California’s “three strikes” law. Featured in the film is Stanford Law School’s Three Strikes Project, which played a key role, partnering with NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, to draft and promote Proposition 36, legislation that in 2012 repealed California’s law.
The NLJ talked to Stanford fellow Susan Champion, a 2011 graduate of the law school who worked with Michael Romano, co-founder and director of the Stanford project. In the film, they prepare petitions on behalf of clients, argue in court and visit newly released clients. Her answers have been edited for length.
