Inmates at Utah State Prison Create Groundbreaking Documentary

The film "Breaking Chains" offers an unprecedented look at life behind bars.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 5:31pm

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Inmates at the Utah State Prison have created a groundbreaking documentary called "Breaking Chains" that provides a raw, emotional look at life in prison. The film follows six incarcerated men and women as they confront their pasts, reflect on their choices, and work toward rebuilding their lives. The project was coordinated by filmmaker and educator Bo Landin, and the equipment was donated by the One Kind Act a Day initiative. The documentary has already won the Audience Choice Award at the Utah International Film Festival.

Why it matters

This documentary offers a unique and unfiltered perspective on the experiences of incarcerated individuals, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within the prison system. By allowing the inmates to tell their own stories, the film aims to foster greater understanding and compassion for those behind bars.

The details

The "Breaking Chains" documentary was conceived, filmed, and produced entirely by inmates at the Utah State Prison. The project was coordinated by filmmaker and educator Bo Landin, who says the decision to have the inmates interview one another created a level of honesty that he didn't expect. The documentary equipment was donated by the One Kind Act a Day initiative, and the Semnani Family Foundation will now support an ongoing media program integrated into the prison's career-training and productive-time initiatives.

  • The documentary "Breaking Chains" debuted at the Utah International Film Festival in 2026.
  • The One Kind Act a Day initiative began supporting the media program at the Utah State Prison in 2026.

The players

Bo Landin

A filmmaker and educator who coordinated the "Breaking Chains" documentary project from outside the prison.

Khosrow Semnani

A philanthropist who created the One Kind Act a Day initiative, which donated the professional equipment used to make the "Breaking Chains" documentary and will now support an ongoing media program at the Utah State Prison.

Casey Vanderhoef

An incarcerated individual who participated in the making of the "Breaking Chains" documentary and is now living in a halfway house as he completes his sentence.

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What they’re saying

“When I was incarcerated in 2021, I had no more answers. I knew I was broken in a way I couldn't fix.”

— Casey Vanderhoef (KSL)

“It's authentic. It's raw. It's emotional. I think it's important because it is their voice. They are telling us a story.”

— Bo Landin, Filmmaker and Educator (KSL)

“Human nature is born with kindness. But in prison, it's not there.”

— Khosrow Semnani, Philanthropist (KSL)

What’s next

The One Kind Act a Day initiative plans to work with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to expand the media program to prisons across the country.

The takeaway

This documentary provides a rare and powerful glimpse into the lives of incarcerated individuals, highlighting the challenges they face but also their resilience and desire for redemption. By giving them a platform to tell their own stories, the film aims to foster greater understanding and compassion within the criminal justice system.