College Behind Bars

This documentary follows a group of incarcerated men and women at two different correctional facilities as they enroll in college courses. It explores their academic journeys, the transformative power of education, and the challenges they face both inside and outside the classroom. The film highlights their personal growth, intellectual awakening, and the hope that a college degree can offer for their futures.

College Behind Bars received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling, intimate portrayal of its subjects, and its examination of the impact of education on incarcerated individuals. Critics praised its empathetic approach and its ability to shed light on a crucial social issue.

• A deeply moving and illuminating look at the transformative power of education.

• Presents a compelling case for expanding access to higher education for incarcerated individuals.

• Highlights the humanity and potential of those often overlooked by society.

Google audience: Viewers lauded the documentary for its inspiring stories of personal transformation through education and its powerful social commentary. Many appreciated the film's focus on the inmates' dedication and intellectual curiosity, finding it both thought-provoking and hopeful.

Nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

Director Lynn Novick spent over three years filming with the incarcerated students and their professors, gaining unprecedented access to the Bard Prison Initiative and the Woodholme Learning Center.