The
Return
An ODBM Documentary
Jonathan Irons returns to the prison where he was unjustly imprisoned for over 23 years to offer a message of hope to the men he left behind.
"There are forces that will lead you to believe that your life is meaningless, but that ain't the truth."
Jonathan Irons
The Story
At 16 years old, Jonathan Irons was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 65 years for a crime he didn't commit.
He spent the next 23 years of that sentence on a journey through Missouri's most infamous and dangerous prisons and emerged not bitter, but transformed.
One Man.
Twenty-Three Years.
The Mission
More than a documentary.
The Return asks a question for all of us. What becomes possible when we confront the harsh realities of the past and the unfinished work of the present in the pursuit of a better future for the sake of those who will follow?
3,400+
Innocent people exonerated in the U.S. since 1989
23
Years Jonathan was wrongfully incarcerated
600,000
People make their return from prison every year
"Do you want people to come out of prison with resources and a mindset to do things differently? Or do you want them to have the same mind they had when they went in, but probably worse?"
Jonathan Irons
The People
Meet the People
Behind the Film
Jonathan Irons
Exoneree · Advocate · Co-founder, Win With Justice
Returning for the first time to bring a message of hope to the residents of the prison where he served time, Jonathan offers encouragement for those in need of both. He is living proof that it’s possible to overcome one’s circumstances.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer · Founder, Win With Justice
Maya Moore Irons
Returning to her hometown of Jefferson City, Maya walks the prison halls alongside Jonathan, feeling the weight of what he survived and what they built together on the other side.
Four-Time Grammy Award Winner · New York Times Bestselling Author · Co-founder, Reach Records
Lecrae
Returning to prison outreach, where his career started, Lecrae joins Jonathan at JCCC and reflects on what it means to walk back into a place that held someone down and why music, faith, and presence matter in the darkest places.
Recording Artist · Founder, Chase Foundation · CEO, Unashamed Ministries
Tedashii
Chart-topping Artist and Activist Tedashii Anderson is no stranger to overcoming the odds. Known for his authentic and dynamic performance and presence, Tedashii returns to the stage to inspire, as he has across the globe for over 20 years.
Director of Prison Ministries, Our Daily Bread Ministries · Founder & Executive Director, Second Mountain Leadership
Bo Cornelius
Director of Prison Ministry at Our Daily Bread Ministries, Bo returns to prison with a vision that incarcerated people and corrections staff, given the right environment and the right tools, can become collaborative agents of change within their own institutions.
Director & Producer · Director of Partnerships & Content Development, Our Daily Bread Ministries
Rasool Berry
The Return is itself the product of Rasool's conviction that Jonathan Irons' story of survival, exoneration, and radical return needed to be shared with the world. Rasool has forged a partnership among ODBM, CCDA, and Win With Justice while helping Jonathan return to JCCC.
Adam was an adjunct professor at Kilns College, where he taught the History of Human Rights and Justice, Decolonizing Your Faith, and Filmmaking. He was a guest lecturer at Stanford, where he taught filmmaking and the art of discovering one’s story.
Three-time Award-winning Filmmaker and Co-founder of 3Strandfilms
Adam Thomason
This film was made possible in partnership with passionate organizations serving and advocating for the incarcerated.
Visit their websites and discover ways to get involved:
