PBS NewsHour’s Primetime Doc, “Searching for Justice: Life After Lockup,” Looks at the Struggles and Successes of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Arlington, VA (February 22, 2022)–PBS NewsHour’s primetime documentary “Searching for Justice: Life After Lockup” will air Wednesday, April 13th 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings). This documentary focuses on the challenges people who have spent years behind bars encounter after release — from reconnecting with family, to finding work and housing, to staying out of prison or jail. It features the struggles and successes of four formerly incarcerated individuals as they navigate their return to society. The hour-long special is hosted by PBS NewsHour’s chief correspondent Amna Nawaz.

The special includes the following reports:

Michael Plummer, of Washington, D.C., was locked up at age 17 for murder. Through a Washington program for juveniles sentenced to life, he was given a second chance and released after 23 years. Plummer has now found a path through peer mentoring and has dedicated himself to being an example to others.

Early in 2020, Rachel Schuyler was arrested for two counts of forgery — crimes she’d committed years earlier. She pleaded guilty, was released, and she says for the first time, was ready to get her life on track. But everyday has been a struggle.

Michael Cevallos has been in and out of prison for 28 years for burglary, narcotics charges and parole violations. After his release in 2020, Cevallos decided he wasn’t ready for reentry, so he built a cell in his sister’s garage. From there he’s hosted a nightly Facebook live event called “Cell Life” to try to create a support group and keep himself accountable.

After years of addiction and incarceration, Renee Wyatt was able to turn her life around in the 1990s. Now, as a social worker, she helps other formerly incarcerated women succeed on the outside.

Press Contact: Ella Richardson, erichardson (at) newshour (dot) org