Like many independent filmmakers, Anthony Gomez has some minor criticisms of his own work. He wishes he had more time to shoot and that the voiceover delivery was less stiff. However, what sets Gomez apart from other filmmakers is that he made his most recent film, a short documentary about working out, while living inside San Quentin State Prison. Despite the challenges of prison life, Gomez has found a sense of purpose and creative fulfillment through his work as a filmmaker.
Gomez is one of five incarcerated men who work at ForwardThis Productions, the first film and TV production job training program located inside an American prison. San Quentin may be a Spartan existence, but the men there have an abundance of stories to tell. Gomez, who grew up in a small town outside Fresno, had different plans for his future. He had intended to join the Navy and marry his high school sweetheart. However, his life took a tragic turn when, at the age of 18, he became an accomplice to a murder. He is now seven years into a 21-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter.
Being able to tell their own stories is a source of pride for Gomez and his fellow filmmakers at ForwardThis. “We all appreciate being in a position to tell stories about ourselves,” Gomez says. “I do matter. I don’t care what people think.” This sentiment is echoed by the other incarcerated men who are involved in the program. Their stories are valid and valuable, regardless of their past mistakes.
ForwardThis Productions is housed in a small office behind the newsroom of San Quentin’s media center. The program has four Mac computers, as well as lockers storing cameras and lenses. Its goal is to create a pipeline to help incarcerated people find employment in the film and TV industry. The program also aims to challenge the cycle of recidivism by providing job training and opportunities for personal growth. With almost 44 percent of released prisoners returning to prison within their first year, job skills and social stigmatization are major contributors to the problem. ForwardThis seeks to address these issues head-on.
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The program has already attracted the attention of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who visited San Quentin in March. Newsom announced plans to allocate $20 million from the state budget to transform San Quentin into a rehabilitation center inspired by Norwegian prisons. While ForwardThis predates Newsom’s plans and operates independently from state funding, it aligns with the governor’s emphasis on job training and programming aimed at reducing recidivism.
The Pollen Initiative, a nonprofit organization that supports ForwardThis and The San Quentin News, plans to expand its multimedia programs to three other prisons in the coming months. The organization, formerly known as Friends of San Quentin News, has a growing budget and aims to create more opportunities for incarcerated individuals to tell their stories and gain valuable skills for their future.
ForwardThis has also formed connections with Hollywood, thanks to the efforts of Hangover producer Scott Budnick and his organization, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. Budnick has brought industry professionals to speak with the filmmakers at ForwardThis about their crafts. These connections open up the possibility of future job opportunities for the program’s graduates. Budnick emphasizes that Hollywood doesn’t care about an individual’s past as long as they show up early and work hard.
While the incarcerated men at San Quentin don’t have access to the internet or social media, their videos are shared by volunteers once they have been cleared by the prison’s public information officer. The audience for their content is still growing, but the videos have already made an impact, particularly a three-minute romance film directed by Jeremy Strain, who has been incarcerated for the past 17 years. The video explores the importance of visits from loved ones in the rehabilitation process. Strain’s personal connection to the story adds an extra layer of authenticity and emotion.
Strain’s own journey within the criminal justice system has been one of growth and transformation. After a tumultuous childhood, he entered prison with a hardened exterior, believing that showing vulnerability would only put him at risk. However, after spending time in solitary confinement and witnessing violence, he realized that he didn’t want to live his life in that manner. He took advantage of the therapeutic programs available to him and is now pursuing an education and dreaming of a career in editing.
Overall, ForwardThis Productions represents a new approach to rehabilitation and reintegration. By providing incarcerated individuals with valuable job training and the opportunity to tell their own stories, the program aims to disrupt the cycle of recidivism. The support and recognition from Hollywood figures and Governor Gavin Newsom demonstrate that there is a growing recognition of the importance of these programs in creating second chances and changing public perceptions. With continued support and expansion, programs like ForwardThis have the potential to make a lasting impact on the lives of the incarcerated and the communities they will eventually return to.
