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Almost Home: Life After Incarceration

Almost Home is a feature-length documentary that examines the many challenges individuals face when they get released from prison and the positive impact they can have if they are given the tools to succeed.

In the United States, more than 600,000 people return home from incarceration each year, often with little support or stability. For people who live in the shadows of their criminal records, overcoming the extensive legal restrictions and social stigmas is a daunting task. Once released from the prison gates, individuals face staggering rates of unemployment, discrimination, and homelessness. Without the support needed to overcome these devastating barriers, people often return to illegal activities just to survive.

This unique film follows formerly incarcerated students enrolled in an innovative program at a community college in Southern California. Their inspiring stories illustrate how education and support can transform lives, open doors to new careers, heal trauma, and uplift entire families and communities.

  • Bill Wisneski
    Director
    Roads Most Travelled; Shattered Dreams; Joshua Tree; Breaking Point
  • Bill Wisneski
    Producer
    Roads Most Travelled; Shattered Dreams; Joshua Tree; Breaking Point
  • Cameron Lui
    Producer
  • Cameron Lui
    Cinematographers
  • Bill Wisneski
    Cinematographers
    Roads Most Travelled; Shattered Dreams; Joshua Tree; Breaking Point
  • Michael Schnee
    Cinematographers
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 27 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 18, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Arri Amira, Blackmagic URSA
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Dances With Films
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 23, 2023
    World Premiere
  • Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards
    San Diego
    United States
    June 17, 2023
    Winner for Documentary & Director
Director Biography - Bill Wisneski

Bill Wisneski is an award-winning documentary director, producer, writer, and cinematographer. He has received twenty-six Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards and dozens of other national accolades for his compelling films. His documentaries have been broadcast nationally on PBS and they’ve screened at more than one hundred film festivals throughout the world.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The formerly incarcerated community is one of the most misunderstood groups in the country. Spending the past two years getting to know the amazing students at Palomar College who had recently been released from prison, has been an extremely rewarding and eye-opening experience.

Regardless of our backgrounds, everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated. No one wants to be discriminated against because of how they look or because of the mistakes they made twenty years ago. People’s basic needs must be taken care of before they can address any other issues in their lives. During our filming I witnessed how positivity can be contagious. It spreads and gives hope to others who have felt trapped in an existence they do not want. Many negative stereotypes are consistently perpetuated about people who have been incarcerated, so my goal with our documentary was to provide insight into who they are as individuals and demonstrate that anything is possible if they are just given the tools to succeed.

(Thank you for your consideration of our film. We also have a shorter 60 minute cut if that's preferable for you: https://vimeo.com/783087356/b2bd5aff5c)