Scott Budnick can be described as a "hot shot Hollywood producer." He's best known for working on the blockbuster success The Hangover.
However, after being disillusioned by the culture of show business, he attended a prison writing class, quit his job and began working at the institutions.
"I walked in with a bunch of kids facing their life in prison… I realized that I had lost that desire to give back, and I wanted to reclaim it," he said.
His effect is felt by Shaun Wilson, a 26-year-old arrested for armed robbery and assault.
"I saw the wrong male role models. And I think that's kind of where everything went wrong," Shaun said.
Scott described Shaun as a "super gangster" when they first met. After being mentored by Scott, he is completely transformed.
"Every kid who came from juvenile hall who met Scott Budnick made them feel that they were better than they were," Shaun said.
Though prisoners are often hardened by their experiences, it takes a special kind of person to give them hope. Scott is in great company with the folks at the Hard Time Corral, who reform criminals with their horse taming program.
However, it's easy for young men who have been steered in the wrong direction to find the right path. What about the more dangerous convicts in adult prisons? Scott isn't afraid of them either.
"I've seen people who have committed murder 20, 30 years down the line end up showing real remorse," Scott says.
Against all odds, he befriended one of California's most dangerous criminals, Jose Flores, who is serving a lifetime sentence for robbery, extortion, and possession of a firearm. Jose spends 22 1/2 hours a day in solitary confinement because of his prison gang affiliations.
See how Scott helped reform Jose in the video below.
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