College Behind Bars

Enough said. Some people aren't born with equal opportunities - lack of access to education, child care, a living wage - and find themselves stuck in a system that hurts rather than helps them. Even profits from them. If we could address problems like this in our country, as well as have a little bit more compassion and understanding for others' situations, we'd be much better off.

I have watched a lot of other prison documentaries, and this one is very different from the others. People who are doing their time, is given an opportunity to be students and discover that there is more to life than what they used to think. They embraced this chance, and it is amazing to see... Also sad to see, that circumstances play a very significant role in human life, and that education needs to be available to everyone, no matter their age, race, social status. I hope all these people get their lives back in order when they leave prison, and live a better life. Society needs to invest more in education and less in wars.

This was surprisingly good. It was a positive watch. I encourage everyone to watch it and hope that schools show it to their students.

Whoever thinks that someone commits a serious crime for the purpose of getting a college education is not very bright. Just stupid politics. Crimes result in bad decisions and bad situations for a multitude of reasons. The opportunity isn't there for each prisoner and it won't be taken on by everyone that's incarcerated. Use your brains on this and see past the ridiculous political spin.

Education is power, it helps you grow and critically think as a human being. It's the closest thing to actual reform in prison versus working out, watching tv, hanging out with other inmates. I haven't heard that they get much therapy in there. What else is gonna "fix" someone?

The fact that nearly 50% of people return to prison within a year tells us that there is little "reform" going on there. If anything they learn even more how to manipulate and be harder criminals. The actual problems, root problems aren't being solved.

If someone is ambitious enough to want to get an education while incarcerated and step away from the BS going on inside while doing their time, that's a great choice! Isn't it cheaper in the long run for tax payers to not have have these people return? For them to go work legally and pay taxes? Isn't it less painful for humanity that inmates do not commit another crime against others? I'd rather an inmate gets reformed & educated than repeat offend on me or someone I care about! Think about it!

Everyone has to remember the costs and who profits from prisons and the volume of prisoners. It's a business especially when privatized and there's money to be made. Even think about suppliers of prison food, clothes, etc. But the righteous thing that we should ALL want is for the prison population to come down. We have so many people in prison in the US versus the rest of the world. Lets get them a chance at being productive when they get out. We should not hope for humankind to be caged.

Anyone can spin something good into something bad and vice versa, as shown in the debates in this documentary. But, educating prisoners while doing their time is good for humanity when they get out!! This isn't a bad thing!

We give politicians second chances all the time! Yet they preach such condemnation on others.

Let's truly give others another chance at life and getting it right. So many are so young when they made bad decisions and I know everyone has done something stupid but many didn't get caught, especially when young.

Past criminals aren't going to disappear off the earth and most will get out of jail one day. Do you want them reoffending on you cause they have no other tools to survive?

This was an excellent watch and insight into real lives of people. Kudos to the students and the teachers and everyone who participates in this opportunity!

I'm so proud of all the students who worked so hard and would hire one of the graduates in a heartbeat!

I was enthralled with the stories of the men and women who are transforming their lives through the Bard Prison Initiative. Education is the key to resolving all of the problems that we face in this world. This documentary is a testament to the power of education to enlighten, lift up, and change those who may be considered to be the throw-aways of society.