Watch The Sentence

The Sentence is a 2018 documentary film directed by Rudy Valdez. It tells the story of Cindy Shank, a mother of three young girls who is serving a 15-year sentence in federal prison for conspiracy charges related to her deceased ex-boyfriend's drug activities. The film follows Cindy's husband, sister and parents as they try to navigate the system to get Cindy's sentence reduced.

The documentary begins with home videos of Cindy playing with her children before her arrest. We see a glimpse of the happy family life they once had before everything changed. As the film progresses, we get to know Cindy's family and see how they are coping with her absence. Her husband, Adam, is left to raise their three daughters alone while trying to work and support the family. He speaks about the challenges he faces as a single father and the impact Cindy's imprisonment has on their children.

One of the most powerful aspects of the film is the relationship between Cindy and her family. We see how her absence affects them deeply, and how they try to maintain a sense of normalcy despite the circumstances. Cindy's mother speaks about how she used to be a self-proclaimed "tough love" parent, but now she wishes she had been more understanding and supportive of her daughter. Her sister talks about how they used to be close, but drifted apart as Cindy became more involved in her ex-boyfriend's drug activities.

The film also explores the impact of mandatory minimum sentencing laws on non-violent drug offenders like Cindy. We see how these laws result in lengthy prison sentences, tearing families apart and leaving children without parents. The documentary sheds light on the flaws in the criminal justice system and the need for reform.

Throughout the film, we hear from other women who are serving time with Cindy, sharing their own stories of how they ended up in prison. These women add depth to the narrative, showing how Cindy's story is just one of many. We see how they support each other and form bonds despite their difficult circumstances.

The Sentence is a deeply emotional film that will leave viewers with many questions and thoughts about the U.S. criminal justice system. It is an important story that sheds light on the devastating impact of mandatory minimum sentencing laws and the human cost of mass incarceration. The film is a tribute to the resilience of families who are left to pick up the pieces when their loved ones are incarcerated, and a call to action for reform.

The Sentence is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 69.