Part 2: Sing Sing’s Brent Buell on Reentry, Transformation, and Believing in People

In part two of this conversation, we continue our discussion with Brent Buell, theater producer, director, and longtime facilitator with Rehabilitation Through the Arts at Sing Sing prison.

This episode focuses on reentry and the often invisible barriers that make that transition so difficult. Brent shares what he’s learned from walking alongside people returning home, and we discuss the decision to include the heartbreaking yet deeply informative and realistic parole board scenes in Sing Sing.

He also reflects on the film’s broader impact—how honest storytelling can shift public perception and create space for meaningful, lasting change.

Cast of Sing Sing on stage for the world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival
(Photo courtesy of Brent Buell)
Brent Buell with the real Divine G Whitfield 
(Photo courtesy of Brent Buell)

Rehabilitation Through the Arts: https://rta-arts.org

Brent Buell’s website: https://brentbuell.com

Watch Sing Sing (available on Max, Amazon Prime, YouTube)

Click here to listen, or search “Unpacking Injustice” on Spotify or Amazon Music.