Culture

College Behind Bars

College Behind Bars is the inspiring, emotional, deeply human story of men and women struggling to earn college degrees while in prison for serious crimes. In four years of study they become scholars, shatter stereotypes, reckon with their pasts, and prepare to return to society. A groundbreaking exploration of incarceration, injustice, race in America, and the transformative power of education.

Part 4: 'Home is a Work in Progress'

57m 29s

The debate union faces Harvard. While Rodney and Sebastian complete their 100-page senior projects and present them to faculty, Giovannie gets into trouble and is sent to SHU, not able to complete his project before being released. At graduation at Taconic, Tamara, Tamika and Shawnta receive associate degrees, while at Eastern, Rodney and Sebastian receive bachelor’s degrees.

Episodes

  • Part 4: 'Home is a Work in Progress': asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Part 4: 'Home is a Work in Progress'

    S1 E4 - 57m 29s

    The debate union faces Harvard. While Rodney and Sebastian complete their 100-page senior projects and present them to faculty, Giovannie gets into trouble and is sent to SHU, not able to complete his project before being released. At graduation at Taconic, Tamara, Tamika and Shawnta receive associate degrees, while at Eastern, Rodney and Sebastian receive bachelor’s degrees.

  • Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters': asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters'

    S1 E3 - 57m 33s

    The debate union faces their rival across the river, West Point. Rodney, Sebastian and Giovannie embark on yearlong senior projects. Newly released from federal prison, Dyjuan’s younger brother, Kanan, comes for a visit, as does Rodney’s sister, Elitha. Tamara receives devastating news from home, and Shawnta reckons with her own path to prison. In New York City, Jule struggles to find work.

  • Part 2: 'I'm Trying to Get Home to My Family, Too.': asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Part 2: 'I'm Trying to Get Home to My Family, Too.'

    S1 E2 - 56m 52s

    Sebastian, Dyjuan and Tamara reflect on the difficult circumstances of their childhood, while the debate team prepares to face the University of Vermont. Shawnta, Tamika and Tamara make great strides academically, only to discover that BPI keeps raising the bar. Brian and Rodney are accused of breaking prison rules and sent to the solitary housing unit, SHU, their education in serious jeopardy.

  • Part 1: 'No One Ever Taught Me Any of That.': asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Part 1: 'No One Ever Taught Me Any of That.'

    S1 E1 - 57m 53s

    Incarcerated men and women in New York State are admitted to the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), one of the most rigorous college programs in America. As they begin their studies at Eastern and Taconic Correctional facilities, they discover that they will be held to the same high standards as Bard College students on the main campus in Annandale-on-Hudson.

Extras + Features

  • Preview Part 4: 'Home is a Work in Progress': asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview Part 4: 'Home is a Work in Progress'

    S1 E4 - 30s

    The debate union faces Harvard. While Rodney and Sebastian complete their 100-page senior projects and present them to faculty, Giovannie gets into trouble and is sent to SHU, not able to complete his project before being released. At graduation at Taconic, Tamara, Tamika and Shawnta receive associate degrees, while at Eastern, Rodney and Sebastian receive bachelor’s degrees.

  • Preview Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters': asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters'

    S1 E3 - 30s

    The debate union faces their rival across the river, West Point. Rodney, Sebastian and Giovannie embark on yearlong senior projects. Newly released from federal prison, Dyjuan’s younger brother, Kanan, comes for a visit, as does Rodney’s sister, Elitha. Tamara receives devastating news from home, and Shawnta reckons with her own path to prison. In New York City, Jule struggles to find work.

  • Preview Part 2: 'I'm Trying to Get Home to My Family, Too.': asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview Part 2: 'I'm Trying to Get Home to My Family, Too.'

    S1 E2 - 30s

    Sebastian, Dyjuan and Tamara reflect on the difficult circumstances of their childhood, while the debate team prepares to face the University of Vermont. Shawnta, Tamika and Tamara make great strides academically, only to discover that BPI keeps raising the bar. Brian and Rodney are accused of breaking prison rules and sent to the solitary housing unit, SHU, their education in serious jeopardy.

Schedule

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