UNRELEASED
EXTENDED PREVIEW
DOUBLELIFE FILMS
SENTENCED TO THE STREETS
Directed by | THADDEUS D. MATULA
EMMY AND PEABODY AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR
PRODUCED BY | LISA MARSHALL
PRODUCERS
JEREMY GREGG
NATE BOYER
Lisa Marshall, in collaboration with Double Life Films, is producing a powerful documentary highlighting the urgent need for criminal justice reform. The film delves into the challenges faced by men in the child support system, particularly those who are incarcerated or experiencing homelessness after their release, compounded by outstanding arrears debt. It further examines the outdated federal legislation governing child support arrears and state-level enforcement measures that perpetuate cycles of child poverty, homelessness, and fractured family units. The documentary exposes how these policies burden taxpayers with billions in State and Federal debt while straining health and human services and the criminal justice system, underscoring the need for meaningful legislative change to build stronger, more equitable communities.
THE FACTS
The cost to taxpayers for unsheltered homeless individuals ranges from $30-$45K per year. Our tax dollars support their medical coverage, correctional fees, food stamps, SSI, mental health support, and many other services. However, do we really understand why these people are shelter resistant? One reasons stems from being incarcerated and the struggles after they are released. Once you have a felony it is very hard to acquire a job that pays more than minimum wage which at 40 hours per week is not above the poverty line. Imagine having another huge barrier, back child support.
The child support system is a major problem for many men and that are incarcerated. Most tax-payers have no idea that this issue correlates with homelessness and it is costing our society scarce resources.
Our shelter resistant homelessness population is large and will continue to increase year after year. For example, Texas has over 1.1 million people who owe 19 Billion in back child support as of 2023. We believe the data will show many of the unsheltered owe back child support. Basically the system keeps this population incarcerated to a life on the streets. Their hopes, dreams and dignity gone, and recidivism is rampant.
The system is set up that once an inmate is incarcerated and they miss 3 consecutive child support payments they begin to accrue 6% interest on the balance. Arrears add up and support orders do not automatically stop because of incarceration. Once released back to society they owe thousands of dollars in arrears. If the ex-convict is able to obtain a job making minimum wage and working 40 hours a week government takes 60% of their paycheck to cover principle first then interest. Even when the child turns 18, the debt is still owed. Many of the men/women who have been living on the streets are in their late 50’s and their children are in their 30’s yet they still must continue to pay the debt.