The second initiative by Seeing for Ourselves
"Finally, a positive treatment of probation. Inspiring!"
—VERONICA CUNNINGHAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION

IN A WHOLE NEW WAY
Undoing mass incarceration by a path untraveled
WITH FANS ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM—
FROM GOP LEGISLATORS TO NOAM CHOMSKY:
"As I observed almost four years ago about Project Lives—the book of photographic self-portrayals by New York public housing residents, with imagery intertwining revelatory text—it is always inspiring to see the scorned and disenfranchised take control of their lives.
"Now comes the book and documentary about cameras turned over to the city's probationers, the latest effort by the non-profit Seeing for Ourselves. Once again, we recognize how connected we all remain. Once again, the photographs open our eyes and warm our hearts. Once again, our concerns for social justice broaden and deepen."
“Sometimes solutions are in front of us, but we do not see and do not ask. Turning New Yorkers on probation into photographers documenting their own stories has led to an amazing cultural change. Seeing for Ourselves documents it beautifully in their film and book In a Whole New Way."
—Linda Connelly,
President/CEO,
Successful Reentry
Equipped with cameras and a novel artistic technique,
some people of color ensnared in probation
set out in a whole new way to return the sanction to its rehabilitative roots—
only to find themselves transformed by the attempt.
FILM

In a Whole New Way
BOOK

ORDER
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via bookshop.org
"IN A WHOLE NEW WAY" FREE TRAILER
AND FILM RENTAL
The rental fee allows us to continue to promote the film in the interest of criminal justice reform.
FILM POSTER


TASH SULTANA PERFORMS "JUNGLE," FEATURED IN THE FILM,
AT THE STATE THEATER JUNE 28, 2022 IN PORTLAND, MAINE—
THE CITY WHERE THE DOCUMENTARY WAS PRODUCED!
ORDER via our publisher's channel
ADVANCE NOTICES
“Institutional reforms often start from the outside and work inward, which is one reason why so many overpromise and underdeliver. In a Whole New Way shows us what it could look like when reform begins with the perspective of those on the inside of a system—in this case, individuals on probation in New York City. Using participatory photography as a means of visual storytelling, the participants in this transformative project narrate their view of the world through the lens of a camera. In so doing, they remind us that it’s often not people who need changing but the systems that envelope their lives and so frequently constrain their futures.”
—Steve Woolworth,
Chief Executive Officer,
International Community Justice
Association
"A landmark in participatory photography!"
—Denise Bibro Fine Art, NYC
“The impact of second chances, unlike incarceration, cannot be measured by metrics alone. In a Whole New Way visually captures, on a human level, the challenges experienced by justice-impacted New Yorkers, illustrating that probation, like the criminal injustice system, needs reform.”
—Elizabeth Frederick,
Chief Operating Officer,
Avenues for Justice
"A wonderful contribution to our field. In a Whole New Way contains so much – it’s an engaging history of community corrections and a glimpse of how probation is practiced in New York City. It’s a series of memorable and moving vignettes about people whose lives have been touched by crime and the justice system. But what will stick with me is the pictures. Throughout the book, we see the faces of those who are participating in this unique and special program. They are smiling and engaged, clearly relishing the opportunity to see and be seen as so much more than the criminal convictions that brought them to probation in the first place. The light in their eyes – their positivity and evident optimism about their futures – is an overwhelming argument for the importance of meaningful second chances as a core component of our justice system."
—Megan Quattlebaum
Director,
The Council of State Governments
Justice Center
REVIEWS
"This book will still be read two hundred years from now!"
—In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer
podcast
"Intriguing!"
—Lean Left podcast
"“An incredible book...a remarkable project...a groundbreaking endeavor...represents an unyielding commitment to fostering understanding and change through the lens of powerful imagery and storytelling.”
—Stories from the 78 podcast
NEWS

Portland Press Herald covers the third Seeing for Ourselves initiative!
A successful screening of the film and book signing held at a plenary session of the American Probation and Parole Association annual conference in New York City August 29.
Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on Stories from the 78 podcast.
Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on Lean Left podcast.
Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on Dave Nemo Weekends Interview (trucker radio show).
Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on Conversations Live with Cyrus Webb radio show.
Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer podcast.
Filmmaker interviewed on The Criminologist podcast.
Film screened for The Council of State Governments Justice Center June 9.
Film screened for the American Civil Liberties Union April 25 to further its Delaware reform effort.
Film screened this summer on public television stations across the country.
Film screened in person for NYC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety,
Phillip Banks III; pitch deck distributed to City Council!
Exhibit planned by Islip Art Council for September.
We thank the Onyko Film Awards in Odessa, Ukraine for their recognition. Our hearts go out to them now.
Recent Win: Best Documentary at World Webfest Mania in NYC.
As of September 1, 2023, the documentary "In a Whole New Way" has been selected by over 200 film festivals worldwide, winning 66 awards in the process! See the list.
Catch the Feb 17, 2022
Zoom film screening/discussion
with Maine justice and legislative officials!


The follow-up to
the globally acclaimed first book

The documentary that has warmed hearts around the world...in China as well as back home in America; in Russia as well as Ukraine; in Iran as well as Israel. Filmgoers everywhere now view the marginalized in a whole new way.
FILM SCREENINGS











United Nations Association Film Festival
October 25, 2021
Palo Alto, California
Filmmaker Panel on Criminal Justice Reform
LATEST EXHIBITS


OTHER EVENTS
Remote Q&A with Miraban Film Festival
February 16, 2022

Remote Q&A with Something Wicked DocuFest
February 25, 2022

Workshop for Probation Industry
August 30, 2022
NOTABLE FESTIVAL LAURELS






FILM REVIEWS
"Finally, a positive treatment
of probation. Inspiring!"
—Veronica Cunningham,
Chief Executive Officer,
American Probation
and Parole Association
"Such a thoughtful and life-affirming documentary!"
—Steve Woolworth,
President,
International Community
Justice Association
"Otherness in criminal justice must be addressed—and photography is a great way to get at that. In a Whole New Way leverages the visual arts to break down barriers and truly utilize the power of perspective-taking!"
PROGRAM REVIEWS
—American Civil Liberties Union
"A unique lens on community."
—NY1-TV
"Each photo depicting what they see through a lens. Their stories. Their neighborhood struggles. And beauty."
"Andre Whitehead speaks of probation with something like reverance."
"This program really is changing lives and hopefully helping to change the criminal justice system.
I can't wait to see what you do next!"
FILM VENUE COVERAGE
“Despite the undeniably important reality behind the action taken by the subjects of this documentary, In a Whole New Way feels uplifting and hopeful for a better future.
"Eloquently narrated and thoughtfully put together, this documentary proves people can affect change. That if communities come together we make the world a better place.”
"A film about the camera's power and the injustice of the American justice system. Brilliantly shot and with great force, the filmmaker makes us aware of one of the biggest problems facing American society today."

Loudoun Arts Film Festival, September 12, 2021
Middleburg, Virginia
