INSIDE OUT 

JUVENILES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

According to an age breakdown of Michigan's prisoner population released by the Michigan Department of Corrections, there were 939 people under the age of 20 imprisoned In 2011. 

 

The severity of crimes committed ranges, but of those youth, more than 350 juveniles were sentenced to life without parole, meaning they'll be in prison until they die. Michigan is one of five states that account for two-thirds of juveniles serving life without parole sentences. 

 

Although the prisoner is the one who wakes up behind bars every morning, there are people on the outside who care for those prisoners and are trapped behind bars of blame, regret, fear, hurt and anger, and often, their story is never told. 

 

Inside Out is a project committed to telling those stories. Although none of the juvenile offenders featured thus far have been sentenced to life without parole, their loved ones still had to learn to cope with their absence day after day. 

 

Through the stories of Lois DeMott, whose son Kevin was incarcerated at the age of 13 for robbing a pizza joint; Jim Dankovich, whose son Chris was convicted of murdering his mother at 15; and Nichole Harrison, whose little brother Jeff was imprisoned at 16 for criminal sexual conduct, the audience is invited to take a glimpse into the world of the people the incarcerated leave behind.