The Sentence

Director Rudy Valdez’s personal documentary shares the story of his sister Cindy Shank, a mother of three young girls who was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy charges related to her late ex-boyfriend’s drug distribution activities. By foregrounding the devastating effect that Shank’s incarceration has exacted on her family, it advocates for reform of the mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines., This documentary tells the story of Cindy Shank, a mother who received a 15-year mandatory sentence for conspiracy charges related to her late ex-boyfriend’s drug distribution activities. By foregrounding the devastating effect that her incarceration has exacted on her family, it advocates for reform of the mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.