Scott Budnick
Showing 1–3 of 3 transcripts.
- Goldman Sachs28 min
Scott Budnick, Film Producer and CEO of One Community
Former *Hangover* producer Scott Budnick pivoted from the film industry to found the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) after identifying systemic injustices in the California juvenile justice system. Through strategic lobbying, Budnick leveraged his industry connections to pass landmark legislation like SB9, which granted parole hearings to juveniles sentenced to life without parole, while simultaneously launching the ARC "Adam" model to integrate formerly incarcerated individuals into unionized entertainment and construction jobs. His efforts have since secured freedom for thousands, influenced over 90% of U.S. governors to attend criminal justice reform screenings, and established a new media-focused initiative called One Community to humanize narratives surrounding mass incarceration.
- Milken Institute53 min
Social Justice, Incarceration and Reentry: New Directions for a Better Way
Mike Romano, Scott Budnick, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jackie Lacey, Van Jones, Prophet Walker
Facing a U.S. incarceration rate that quadruples the global average, California leaders and bipartisan coalitions are implementing structural reforms such as the 2012 three-strikes ballot measure and ARC's educational pathways to address severe overcrowding and 74% juvenile recidivism. By shifting focus from punitive confinement to community-based treatment, vocational training, and "Pay for Success" social impact bonds, the state aims to reduce costs that consume ten percent of the budget while simultaneously lowering violent crime rates and fostering economic opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. These initiatives, supported by figures ranging from Newt Gingrich to Reverend Jesse Jackson, seek to replace outdated mandatory minimums with targeted interventions that address the root causes of poverty and systemic racial disparities within the justice system.
- Milken Institute1h 4m
Return on Investment: Beneficiaries Fueling Social Change
James Anderson, Scott Budnick, Eric Dawson, Jacqueline Gonzalez-Reyes, Kirsten Lodal, Malik Voyard, John Rogers Jr.
Moderator John Rogers facilitated a dialogue with leaders from Ariel Investments, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, LIFT Los Angeles, and Peace First to outline strategies for dismantling systemic poverty and recidivism through community-led interventions. Panelists highlighted transformative outcomes such as recidivism rates dropping below 3% for college-enrolled inmates and an $15 million income increase for LIFT families, while critiquing inadequate legal defense and custodial prison cultures that perpetuate inequality. The discussion concluded with a strategic pivot toward "impact investing" and narrative-driven scaling, urging institutional capital to shift from transactional aid to sustainable, human-centered policy reforms.