An Amazing Documentary!
~J~ | 10/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i loved this documentary. it took me right inside the walls of Rikers Island, and showed how much similarity there is inside those walls and on the slave plantations in Africa.
If you are interested in criminology, urban environment, and in general life in the hood and some of the things that people in the ghetto go through, you will love this film."
Interviews about prison violence
Seppo Vesala | Helsinki, - Finland | 06/08/2005
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I'll start my review by stating that this film was a disappointment for me. The film is marketed in some other Internet sites as an educational film on knife attacks in prison, and how to counter them. In reality, this film is comprised mainly of interviews of ex convicts and former correctional officers who worked in Rikers Island prison. There are some photographs of stabbing victims and some authentic camera footage, but about 90% of the film consists of interviews.
The film concentrates on prison violence and corruption in the late 80's and early 90's. I did not find the subject interesting or topical issue. Anybody knows that there is violence among the prisoners, and anyone can claim that the correctional officers are corrupt. And in any case, the cases handled in the film happened over a decade ago.
Some people might find these interviews interesting, but I did not learn anything of value or of interest from this film.
Run time: 0:43"
Eye Opening
L. Morgan | 03/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well a former Riker's Island Corrections Officer came to my school to talk to us at an assembly. He showed us this DVD and then a slideshow he put together that was based on photos he took himself of what he personally saw at Rikers Island. He was also an 83' alumni from my school, but I digress. Okay, let's start off with this film. It is very graphic. I would not recommend it to those who are faint of heart. If however, you aren't squeamish, I would definitely recommend this film to you. it separates the truth from the fantasy. Did you know that you could get a new case charge just for defending yourself in prison? (Which you'll have no choice but to do) Or that even though you're affiliated with a certain gang, once you're in prison you'll still have to prove yourself loyal to hang out with gang members of the same gang who don't personally know you? and if you refuse you could easily lose your life? Yeah, it has nothin' to do with being a gangsta because in jail there will always be someone higher than you. Well I really don't want to say anything else because it might spoil the documentary for you. Anyway, I do strongly recommend that you check it out because you will learn a lot of things you never knew before. I know I did.
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