From the Nominator

"Undoing Injustice" was published in Momentum, a bimonthly publication from Stanford’s Office of Development. The goal was to deepen our audience's understanding of—and emotional connection to—Stanford’s work in criminal justice reform, particularly the Criminal Justice Center’s efforts to undo disproportionate sentences and strengthen the integrity of the legal system. Rather than framing the topic through policy abstraction or institutional achievement, the story centers on a single human case: a man unjustly incarcerated and the Stanford faculty, students, and legal practitioners who worked for years to get him out. Through character-driven storytelling and restrained exposition, the article shows how rigorous scholarship, patient investigation, and moral clarity converge in the Three Strikes Project. The piece was developed through extensive reporting, including interviews with faculty and legal advocates, and narrative structuring that balanced emotional stakes with intellectual credibility. The approach was intentional: Audiences are more likely to remember stories rather than abstract claims alone. The result is a feature that positions Stanford Law School not simply as a place of expertise but as an active participant in repairing systemic harm. The article serves as a storytelling asset that teams can point to when articulating why this work matters—and why it merits continued investment.

From the Judges

This great story about second chances captures your interest from the first paragraph. Judges praised the reporting and the use of digital tech to reinforce the story's arc.