Movie: Survivors Guide to Prison
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Documentary
Release Date: February 23, 2018
Running Time: 1h 42m
Featuring: Susan Sarandon, Patricia Arquette, Danny Trejo, Jesse Williams, Ice-T, Quincy Jones, Tom Morello, Danny Glover, and more
Directed By: Matthew Cooke
Written By: Matthew Cooke
Reason We’re Watching It: Featuring commentary and insight from a who’s who of high profile activists and social commentators from the worlds of film and music, including Sarandon who not only executive produced the film but narrates alongside of Trejo, the brutally honest documentary is a pull-no-punches look at the American justice system and the overcrowded prisons that exist from sea to shining sea.
What It’s About: By delving into the stories of two men who were wrongfully convicted of murders that they didn’t commit, the film serves as an informational tour guide into the inner workings of our criminal checks and balances. As Trejo offers up at the start of the film, the United States may be the land of the free, but there are more people imprisoned here than anywhere else in the world. In fact, there are so many laws on the books that, according to a terrifying tidbit by the Wall Street Journal, the average American commits three felonies a day without ever realizing it. If you end up being wrongfully (or rightfully) sentenced for a crime that you didn’t (or did) commit, “Survivors Guide to Prison” breaks down the 411 you’ll need to get through life on the inside.
Whoah! Rewind That!: Some of the not-so-fun facts that are shared throughout the course of the film are, at times, hard to come to terms with and often require a rewind just to make sure you heard them correctly. For example, did you know that 13 million Americans are arrested every year? That’s more than the combined populations of Los Angeles and New York City. Most people would agree that’s far too many Miranda Rights in need of being read, but what solution can be reached? Is there one? And if so, how do we clean up the mess we’ve already made? Correspondingly, if you are ever unlucky enough to find yourself accused of a crime, then it is crucial that you seek legal guidance as soon as possible. Whatever the crime, hopefully, you’ll have people on the outside who will be able to pay your bond so you can be free from jail until the court date. If not, there are always qualified bail bond companies who provide bail bonds in Newport Beach, for example, (location varies depending on where you live) so at least that’s an option, especially for a crime you did not commit. As well as this, hiring an experienced criminal lawyer could make the difference between successfully defending yourself or ending up in prison. To learn more about the importance of working with a criminal lawyer when accused of a crime, try researching some of the most popular criminal lawyers bucks county has to offer online.
Watercooler-Worthy Tidbit: Prior to beginning his acting career, Trejo spent a span of 11 years moving in and out of cells, including a stint in the infamous San Quentin State Prison in California. He knows firsthand how the system works, adding an extra layer of credibility to the core concept of the film and its unfiltered honesty.
And that’s why we’re giving it…
