Complete Picture

Overview

Complete Picture is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to humanizing individuals facing prison for non-violent crimes. The organization's mission focuses on creating emotionally engaging video portraits that provide a fuller picture of defendants to judges before sentencing.

Mission

Complete Picture aims to ensure that judges understand the value of defendants beyond their crimes, highlighting their roles as dedicated parents, valued employees, or community assets. By showcasing these facets, the organization seeks to promote humane sentencing, reducing prison time where appropriate. This approach not only benefits individuals but also results in cost savings for taxpayers, which can be redirected towards education, rehabilitation, and social welfare programs.

Impact

The organization recognizes that individuals facing imprisonment have inherent value to their families and communities. By enabling judges to view defendants as their families do, Complete Picture hopes to enhance due process and empathy in the judicial system. Their efforts also address broader issues within the criminal justice system, such as biases against minorities and people from low-income backgrounds, which often exacerbate the treatment of poverty as a crime.

Activities

Complete Picture creates personalized videos that serve as tools for providing a comprehensive view of defendants to the courts. These videos empower defendants to share their complete story, often leading to more informed and compassionate sentencing decisions. By facilitating a more nuanced understanding of individuals in the legal system, the organization contributes to a fairer justice process.

Goals

While not primarily focused on cost savings, Complete Picture's work indirectly benefits taxpayers by potentially reducing the financial burden of lengthy prison sentences. The organization's ultimate goal is to support individuals returning to their communities more quickly, allowing them to resume productive lives and contribute positively to society.