848: The Criminalization of America

Synopsis

848 is a true-crime documentary about the 848 drug statute, which requires convicted drug kingpins, even non-violent ones, to spend the rest of their lives in prison. Under the First Step Act, some of these former kingpins are eligible for release from prison. The catch is it’s not an automatic release. You have to have served at least 25 years in prison, received a recommendation from the warden of your prison, received approval from your sentencing judge, or received a pardon from the president. Each six-episode season of the doc-series will profile two 848 lifers, their pre-prison life, their 25+ years in prison, and their current fight for freedom. The documentary will feature interviews with friends, family, community leaders, and supporters. It will tell the story of two former Kingpins fighting for freedom and how their incarceration has affected their families and community.