The United States prison population has tripled over the last 15 years.
Behind the Bars: Exposing and Transforming the Prison Industrial Complex
showcases four programs from the Deep Dish TV archive that examine the historical roots of the current incarceration system, its impact on communities at risk, and the possibilities for transforming the United States' "culture of incarceration." Additionally, a panel discussion about this work was organized and videotaped at New York University in November 2009. An edited version of this discussion is also included on this compelling and historic collection.
On this DVD
Political Prisoners and POW's in the U.S. (1991, 58min)
The lives and words of Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers, and the Puerto Rican Independentistas are the framework for the histories of Geronimo Pratt, Dylcia Pagan, Mumia Abu Jamal and Alejandrina Torres. The isolation, physical abuse and injustice endured by the young activists trapped by COINTELPRO twenty years ago make a mockery of United States human rights policies. With Assata Shakur and William Morales, they are powerful voices for justice and self-determination.
The Last Graduation (1997, 54mins)
Why have federal and state governments rushed to cut off funds for effective college-in-prison programs? Tracing the history of college programs in New York State prisons,this program eloquently advocates the reinstatement of college programs by letting the educators and prisoners tell their own stories.
Millions for Mumia (1998, 33mins)
The People's Video Network's work on Mumia Abu-Jamal, a Philadelphia activist, writer and radio producer convicted and imprisoned for killing a police officer. Featuring a reading of Mumia's Death Row Notebook by Giancarlo Esposito, this piece showcases Jamal's experience of racial injustice and his political history with the Black Panther Party.
Prisoners of War: Political Prisoners Part II (1998, 58mins)
Featuring stories from Bobby Castillo, Maurice Bickham, Angela Davis, Pam Africa and Marc Dominos, this piece deals with corporatization of US prison system, the use of prison labor and the efforts to reform it.
The Panelists
Odell Winfield is a former inmate at Comstock State Prison, paroled in 1997. Since his release he has dedicated his energy to educating and assisting former inmates in their transition, especially by working with Inmates College Advisory Program (ICAP). Since 2001 he has been the co-director of the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Pilar Maschi is the Membership and Leadership Development Director for
Critical Resistance . A former prisoner and single mother living in the South Bronx, she has founded a political education program and drug recovery center for women and their children.
David F. Greenberg is a Professor of Sociology at New York University and author of several books and articles dealing with crime, criminal justice and law. He was a founder of Chicago Connections, a prisoner and ex-prisoner support group. He is currently a member of Democratic Socialists of America.
Thomas Poole was the executive director of Deep Dish TV from 1997-2002. He has been an artist in residence at the Wexner Center at Ohio State University, Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia, and Hallwalls Media Center in Buffalo. HE has worked on several award-winning series including "Positive: Life with H.I.V.," "Signal to Noise," "Slam Nation" and "Not Channel Zero."
Chino Hardin works with the Institute for Juvenile Justice Reform and Alternatives, a project of the Center for NuLeadership at Medgar Evers College. Raised in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, he has over eight years of experience organizing around issues related to youth incarceration, gang violence and the prison industrial complex.
Cheche Martine
Luana Plunkett
Barbara Zahm
Kate Kirtz
Victoria Maldonado
Carla Leshne
Lisa Rudman
Neal Morrison
DeeDee Halleck
Benay Rubenstein
Cathy Scott
Ada Gay Griffin
Refuse & Resist
The People's Video Network