In California, violent juveniles between 14-17 years old can be tried as adults. Typically, they have committed heinous crimes—murders and attempted murders—leaving their victims’ families shattered. And yet, they are still kids, with a greater capacity to change and one day return to society. What is our responsibility to these kids? And to their victims? Do they deserve a second chance? 

These are the questions legislators are grappling with across the country as they attempt to reform our juvenile justice system. 

Meanwhile, in the compound, three violent juvenile offenders are writing a movie as they await their trials. It’s the story of their childhoods with one major revision—the main character doesn’t end up in jail.