A Woman on the Outside

After watching nearly every man in her life disappear into prison, Kristal Bush channels her struggle into reuniting other Philadelphia families divided by incarceration. But when her father and brother come home after decades behind bars, she confronts the greatest challenge yet - can she unite her own family without losing herself?

After watching nearly every man in her life disappear into prison, Kristal Bush channels her struggle into reuniting other Philadelphia families divided by incarceration. But when her father and brother come home after decades behind bars, she confronts the greatest challenge yet - can she unite her own family without losing herself?

On the way to driving women and children for a family visit at a prison, Kristal Bush shares her first time of going to see her incarcerated father. Bush's memories are both vivid and "blurry" but paint a picture of a difficult childhood without her father.

Kristal Bush's father, Victor Bush, talks about his time served and the punishment of being away from his family, specifically his daughter. Victor, who has been incarcerated for most of Kristal's life since the early 1990s, must now build a different bridge with his whole family while finding his own way on the outside.

Crystal Speaks and her daughter, Kristal Bush, are the women on the outside. As the mother of two incarcerated sons, Crystal does what she can for them including spending the money she makes, plus hours on the road, to visit them. The two women remain strong through the sentences of the brothers and Kristal's father but it has taken its toll on their physical, mental and emotional health.

Jarvae Scott, who is working with horses in the city of Philadelphia, talks about the lure of returning to prison after having served many years. Jarvae recognizes the support given by his mother, Crystal, and his sister, Kristal, who is caring for his son Nyvae, and wants to stay on the outside but knows his time may be limited as he understands that there are major influences on the streets.

Nyvae, a boy waiting for his father's return from prison, writes down his hopes and dreams for their life together even after time lost. His aunt, Kristal Bush, has been caring for her nephew and supporting Nyvae's father and her brother, Jarvae, since his incarceration. There's a lot of love but also challenges when a young boy is becoming a young man and in need of a parental figure in his life.