From Incarceration to Support: Dr. Jamila Davis’ Film “Set Her Free” Addresses the Trauma-to-Prison Pipeline in NJ

The silence at NJPAC was heavy as the screen faded to black following the world premiere of Set Her Free: Exposing the Trauma to Prison Pipeline. The documentary, executive produced by Newark’s own Dr. Jamila Davis, isn’t just a film; it is a blistering indictment of a legal system that has spent decades mistaking survival for violence.

At the heart of the narrative is Natasha White, an East Orange mother who, in 2007, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for a tragic accident that occurred while she was attempting to flee an abusive partner. Her story—of a woman with no prior record being “punished thrice” by her abuser, the courts, and the carceral system—served as the catalyst for a deep-dive panel discussion on how New Jersey is finally shifting from incarceration to support.

The Missing Piece of Justice

During the panel, Dr. Darcella Sessomes, Chief of Programs at the NJ Department of Corrections, described her work as a “revolution” in the spirit of Harriet Tubman.

“You cannot send women home broken,” Dr. Sessomes stated firmly. She noted that addressing trauma in women is the “free space on the bingo card”—the center of every successful reintegration effort. “Trauma-informed care is a social construct. It is not a program… it only speaks to your philosophy. When you really put the programs in place, you have them sit in that circle and deal with those issues… molestation when you were five… the hurt and disappointment that your mother did not believe you.”

Surviving the Return

For those returning home, the first 90 days are a gauntlet of survival. Cass Severe, founder of Meet Her At The Gate, provided a raw roadmap of the reentry journey:

• 30 Days (Survival): “Where am I sleeping? What am I eating? How do I get to parole?”

• 60 Days (Sustainability): “How do I keep this up? How do I manage family triggers?”

• 90 Days (Identity): “Who am I now? Am I still surviving or am I thriving?”

Severe emphasized that the community must be waiting with hands out, not just opening the door. “Most women didn’t wake up and choose crimes,” she explained. “We’ve been surviving… from abuse, from violence, and abandonment. We were ready for the system before we even entered it.”

Legislative Hope: Bill S-4586

The evening highlighted the legislative battle led by Senator Angela V. McKnight, sponsor of Bill S-4586. The bill seeks to establish a “mitigating factor” for sentencing defendants who are survivors of domestic violence, giving judges the power to consider the full truth of a survivor’s life.

Senator McKnight’s call to action was simple and direct: “When someone comes to you, we need those resources. We need to cut the red tape. Number one: more funding. Number two: believe her.”

The Power of the “Sister Circle”

As the documentary concluded, it left the audience with the image of a “Survivor Circle”—a space where women can finally speak their truths without judgment.

As Dr. Jamila Davis noted, storytelling is the ultimate tool for advocacy. “Some of you in this room have stories you’ve been holding onto. Your story can create change. Use it or lose it.”

New Jersey is currently a national role model for protecting the rights of incarcerated women, but as the evening proved, the work is far from finished. The goal is no longer just a “Cosby Show moment” of walking out the gate; it is about building a community that ensures no woman has to survive alone again.