‎College Behind Bars - Apple TV

Available on PBS Video

Men and women earn college degrees - and a chance at new beginnings - while incarcerated.

Documentary · 2019 · 56 min

Director Lynn Novick

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.

53 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.

52 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.

53 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.

53 min · Nov 26, 2019