A Theory of Change, a feature-length documentary, exposes the human cost of “Death by Incarceration” through the life of Rhidale Dotson, who has spent nearly three decades imprisoned for a crime he committed in his early twenties. The film traces his transformation from an impulsive, gifted teenager in 1990s Denver—shaped by "super-predator" rhetoric, sensationalized media, and a system eager to define him as a villain—into a mature man grounded in perseverance, purpose, and faith in God.

Through archival footage, animation, and intimate testimony, we dismantle the "carnival-mirror" narratives that criminalize Black men and reveal the real Rhidale: a son, brother, uncle, musician, and protector who dreamed of producing music long before a courtroom wrote his fate. Inside prison walls, he turned despair into action—mentoring incarcerated men, co-founding the Gang Awareness Program, bringing restorative justice initiatives to Colorado prisons, and launching "A Theory of Change," a grassroots media organization amplifying the voices of the incarcerated.

As he petitions for clemency, the film follows his family, advocates, and faith community who refuse to let Time win. This is more than a story of one man—it is a tense, urgent, and visually rich exploration of justice, mercy, and the power of transformation.

Meet Rhidale Dotson!

Rhidale Dotson is the incarcerated leader behind a collection of successful gang-reform programs and personal development initiatives within the Colorado state prison system. Instead of forcing participants to renounce their past and present identities and start over from scratch, Rhidale’s approach to change management recognizes an individual’s humanity and harnesses their existing skills and passions to manifest personal growth, with the ultimate goal of preparing participants for successful lifestyles and careers in the “outside” world.

Hear from Rhidale directly:

“I need us to finish this film and share it with the world because A Theory of Change has the potential to transform a thousand tragic stories into a triumph. This isn't about me winning some high stakes competition against the system for my life. I'm not just one person on a mission trying to prove that I deserve a chance. There's no justice in that.

Telling my story right now in a compelling way is the best way that I can think of to inspire others to win in the game of creation. And prison is a big box designed to hold liabilities and, simply put, there are no legitimate or justifiable reasons why this place should be allowed to hold and repurpose our communities and assets. And God has created a few creations that are capable of metamorphic change. People are one of those. And there's a reason why nobody calls a butterfly an ex-caterpillar. Every day, I have to live and survive in a world full of people that are doing enough to learn, grow, and change in ways that they don't deserve to have to be called an ex-anything. Telling my story is an opportunity to help build the world and see that they deserve an opportunity at redemption. That's my why.”

- Rhidale Dotson

Above the entrance to Hell, as told by Dante, there is a directive to abandon all hope. In a world where most people view the denial of hope as a form of cruelty, it is hard to understand how we ended up with a modern system of justice that sanctions a controversial and hellish penalty.

The United States is in the middle of a major shift in how it thinks about incarceration. Many people now believe the country depends too much on punishment instead of healing, support, and second chances. This attitude knows no political bounds with 68% of Republicans, 78% of Independents, and 80% of Democrats supporting significant reforms. (Bargaric et al, 2021)

Thousands of people across the United States are serving life without the possibility of parole, also known as Death by Incarceration (DBI). These sentences condemn people to die in prison, no matter how much they change. Rhidale is one of those people serving life without the possibility of parole. He has been told he will spend the rest of his life in prison with no release date.

Rhidale has spent over two decades diligently doing the work of healing, accountability, growth, and self reflection. In a place designed to take hope away, Rhidale has remained hopeful. He has proved that he is far more than his worst mistake.

The only way Rhidale can come home is through clemency: when a governor or president decides to reduce or pardon someone’s sentence because they believe the person has changed, grown, and deserves another chance.

These numbers make it clear that harsh punishment does not affect everyone equally. (Kaba, 2021)

A Theory of Change is about hope, second chances, and asking people to think differently about justice. Who do we believe is worthy of a second chance? This film reveals the human cost of extreme sentencing and how it impacts children, families, and communities. 

5 Things You Can Do Right Now:

1. Sign Rhidale’s freedom petition
2. Follow us on Instagram, Substack, or TikTok to follow our journey!
3. Share with your network—copy/paste this (or personalize it): “Help me fund A Theory of Change, a social justice documentary which takes a personal dive into Death by Incarceration through the story of incarcerated leader Rhidale Dotson. Join me! seedandspark.com/fund/a-theory-of-change”
4. Host a screening! Let us know at [email protected] if you have a space that you would be willing to donate for a night.
5. Send a letter to Governor Polis in support of Rhidale's clemency application.

What We Have Done Already:

This project has already inspired deep engagement beyond the screen. The process of making this film led us to found "A Theory of Change" as a nonprofit organization focused on using creative storytelling for social justice. We've partnered with advocacy groups like End Slavery Colorado, organized a community fundraiser with over 100 attendees in 2021, testified before the Colorado Senate in support of incarcerated people’s visitation rights, and have attended bill signings and correctional board meetings.

We recently finished filming all of our scheduled interviews, although there are some experts we would still love to have the chance to interview. This funding would greatly help us finish post-production to support Rhidale’s Freedom Campaign and allow us to sustainably continue this work.

A Theory of Change is fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, Inc. (EIN #95-4445418), a non-profit organization that has supported independent filmmakers for over 30 years.

Timeline

2017-2020: Development

2020-2022: Pre-production

2022-2025: Production

Summer 2025: Started collaborative project with End Slavery Colorado to advocate for ending slavery in Colorado prisons and created Rhidale's Freedom Campaign website

Fall 2025: Began post-production, fiscal sponsorship with From the Heart Productions

January-March 2026: Post-production on short cut of documentary to support Rhidale's clemency application

March 2026: Clemency application submitted to Governor Polis

April 2026 and on: Fundraising, post-production, social media push, screenings, festivals, interviews…

We want to pay artists fairly, and if we reach our initial goal of $30k, we will be hitting the bare minimum for that. These stretch goals allow us to pay artists a living wage for their contributions.

$45k (+$15k of the goal) - THE EDIT

Post production costs so much more than people realize. Our current goal is the bare minimum to have a “fine cut” of the documentary done, but this first stretch goal would give us the extra funds to have more time in the edit and be able to pay artists fairly for their graphic design, typography, and editing skills.

$60k (+$30k of the goal) - SCREENINGS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

We have set aside some money in the budget for distribution, but these extra funds will allow us to host screenings and discussions in our communities and pay for the organizing labor to make it happen.

$60k - $100k - (anything above +$30k of the goal) - FREEDOM

This money will aid in the continued fight for Rhidale’s freedom and support for his re-entry as well as increasing awareness through edutainment about Death by Incarceration and the broader problem of mass incarceration.

Watch our sizzle (extended trailer) here!

Rhidale Dotson has done amazing things. He’s saved lives, he’s changed lives, he’s done and continues to do the work. Please donate to our project, no amount is too small. 

Thank you!

You will not be charged until the campaign ends successfully, which Seed & Spark requires at least 80% of our campaign goal be met in 60 days. 

Please keep in mind that there is an extra $0.30 + 2.9% processing fee for credit card donations.

Sources:

Mirko Bagaric, Dan Hunger, & Jennifer Svilar, Prison Abolition: From Naïve Idealism to Technological Pragmatism, 111 J. Crim. L. & Criminology 351 (2021)

Mariame Kaba, We Do This ‘Till we Free Us (2021)