Bruce Bryan’s story is a profound testament to resilience and the pursuit of justice. At 23, he was wrongfully convicted for a murder he did not commit, resulting in nearly three decades of incarceration. Throughout his imprisonment, Bryan maintained his innocence and utilized his time to study law, drawing inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom. This commitment to self-education and advocacy became a cornerstone of his journey toward justice.

In December 2022, Bryan was granted clemency by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, leading to his release in April 2023. His case was notably the first success of the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice at Cardozo Law School, which played a pivotal role in his clemency appeal. The center’s efforts, combined with Bryan’s unwavering determination, culminated in a long-overdue homecoming.

This project was created to honor Bruce’s story. I visited him at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in upstate New York to create his portrait and interview him for the video. The following week I went back to Sing Sing to document his release from prison alongside his family and friends. Two months later I went to Bruce’s Jamaica, NY home to create his “Freedom Portrait”.