Ken Burns Presents: College Behind Bars: A Film by Lynn Novick and Produced by Sarah Botstein

Ken Burns Presents: College Behind Bars: A Film by Lynn Novick and Produced by Sarah Botstein

Documentary 2019

Available on Prime Video

This docuseries follows several incarcerated people as they pursue a college degree through the Bard Prison Initiative, a rigorous education program.

Documentary 2019

EPISODE 1

Part One: "Nobody ever taught me any of that"

Incarcerated men and women at Eastern and Taconic Correctional facilities are admitted to the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI). When classes begin, they discover they must meet the same high standards as students on Bard College main campus.

55 min · Nov 25, 2019
EPISODE 2

Part Two: "I'm trying to get home to my family, too"

Students address the difficult circumstances of their past. The debate team prepares to face the University of Vermont. Some make strides academically, as others are sent to the Special Housing Unit, SHU, jeopardizing their education.

54 min · Nov 25, 2019
EPISODE 3

Part Three: "Every single word matters"

The debate team faces West Point. Seniors embark on their thesis projects. Rodney and Dyjuan's families visit, while Tamara receives terrible news from home. Shawta reckons with her path to prison and Jule struggles to find work in NYC.

55 min · Nov 26, 2019
EPISODE 4

Part Four: "Home is a work in progress"

The debate team faces Harvard. Seniors complete their 100-paged thesis projects. Giovannie is sent to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) and might not finish his project. Students at Taconic and Eatern receive their degrees at graduation.

55 min · Nov 26, 2019

About

Ken Burns Presents: College Behind Bars: A Film by Lynn Novick and Produced by Sarah Botstein

DOCUMENTARY

This docuseries follows several incarcerated people as they pursue a college degree through the Bard Prison Initiative, a rigorous education program.

Information

Studio: PBS
Released: 2019

Languages

Subtitles: English (United States) (SDH)