When a small New Jersey city realizes it cannot solve the epidemic of gun violence by arresting their way out of the problem — they try another strategy. With funding from the Attorney General's office, the city pilots a program to support those who are at risk for reentering the criminal justice system: Trenton Violence Reduction Strategy. 

With the help of a formerly incarcerated activist and a team of city residents, a young female police detective creates a program whose goal is to support and mentor — rather than punish those who are at risk for recidivism.

Over the course of a year, we witness the struggle to keep this small but vital program alive as they confront the enormity of the task at hand. Seven Square Miles looks at the limitations of the criminal justice system in tackling issues driven by poverty and race and explores the possibilities of compassionate humane policing.

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