Included with Summer Nights admission on July 13.

Gather in the central rotunda of the penitentiary at 6:30 pm to watch FAMM's latest documentary "District of Second Chances". Discover the impact of "second look" laws in Washington, D.C., through the compelling stories of three remarkable individuals. 

Immediately following the screening, at approximately 7:45 pm, join a live panel discussion featuring two cast members, Gene Downing and Anthony Petty, along with criminal justice advocate Nancy Leichter.

Presented in partnership with FAMM.
 

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Gene Downing is a Washington, D.C., native and a returning citizen who served 21 years in prison after being arrested at the age 19. After his release due to the Second Look Amendment Act, he was selected as Free Mind’s 2022 Congressman John Lewis Fellow. Gene is currently the Gelana Yorktown Fellow at the Council for Court Excellence, where he leads an initiative called the Second Chance Hiring Alliance. He is also a Community Outreach Specialist for Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop. Gene currently serves as a Poet Ambassador and as the Co-chair of Thrive Under 25, a transformative coalition in D.C. that uses advocacy, legislation, and public education to end the racist, damaging, and punitive responses of D.C.’s adult criminal legal system toward people who came into contact with the system when they were under age 25. Gene is also a talented spoken word artist and actor, and he uses his talent to raise awareness of the social injustices that plague our country and to connect to the youth.

Anthony “Pete” Petty has been on a profound journey of transformation. After spending 30 years behind bars, he has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration in the reentry field. Incarcerated at 16, Anthony is a testament to the power of resilience, personal growth, and the unwavering pursuit of positive change. As a youth mentor and program manager for the Violence Interruption program, Anthony plays a pivotal role in creating safer communities. His work involves preventing violence and guiding young people toward positive alternatives and opportunities for personal growth. His remarkable journey, from incarceration to community change-maker, is an inspiring example for those he mentors. Anthony is a living embodiment of the potential for change and personal transformation. He is a source of inspiration for individuals striving to overcome the barriers that life may present and a testament to the impact that dedicated individuals can have on those around them.

After Nancy Leichter experienced personal family tragedy, she came to understand that “justice” looked different from what the criminal legal system mandated. She began an extraordinary journey to forgiveness and advocacy, supporting the release of the two people convicted of the second-degree murder of her father. Today she continues to be a strong voice for second chances.