When a 16-Year-Old Is Locked Up in a Supermax Prison | Stickup Kid | FRONTLINE

A Life-Altering Mistake00:00:11

Alonza Thomas recounts the events at age 16 that led to his arrest for an armed robbery, highlighting how his vulnerability and manipulation by an adult shaped the trajectory of his life.

The Impact of Proposition 2100:04:25

An examination of California's Proposition 21, a zero-tolerance policy that led to Alonza being tried and sentenced as an adult, sparking a debate on juvenile justice, rehabilitation, and public safety.

Survival in the Prison System00:08:42

Alonza shares the traumatic realities of life in a men's prison, including the isolation, the constant threat of violence, his own mental health struggles, and the feelings of being institutionalized.

Release and Reintegration00:14:41

After serving 13 years, Alonza faces the daunting challenge of navigating the outside world, learning basic life skills, and attempting to reconcile his lost youth with his current reality as a 28-year-old.

Reflecting on the Future00:22:40

Alonza and his family discuss the long road to recovery, the lasting psychological scars of his imprisonment, and his hope to find peace despite the challenges of his past.