NCJ Number
67557
Date Published
1975
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS ANIMATED FILM FOR HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENTS OF SOCIOLOGY OR PSYCHOLOGY, OR FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, SHOWS THE EFFECTS OF PRISON ON A RECENTLY CONVICTED MAN, EMPHASIZING THE FUTILITY OF THE PRESENT PENAL SYSTEM.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH IMAGES USED IN THE FILM ARE IMPRESSIONISTIC ANIMATED DRAWINGS, THE SOUND TRACK CONTAINS NATURAL SOUNDS--CARS MOVING AND STOPPING, DOORS AND PRISON BARS OPENING, FOOTSTEPS, MEN'S VOICES. THE FILM IS PRESENTED FROM THE PRISONER'S POINT OF VIEW. THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS COVERS A FIRST OFFENDER'S INITIATION INTO PRISON LIFE, BEGINNING WITH HIS ARRIVAL AT A REMOTELY LOCATED, WALLED BASTION. THIS INITATION IS MARKED BY A SERIES OF DEHUMANIZING EXPERIENCES: THE ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE, WHEN THE PRISONER IS STRIPPED OF HIS BELONGINGS, TOLD TO SHOWER, AND LED TO THE CELLBLOCK; OF CELL MATES TAUNTS AND RIDICULE; AND THE HARROWING SCREAMS A OF FELLOW INMATE GONE BERSERK IN THE NIGHT. THE PRISONER MESS HALL, AN ASSIGNMENT TO CELLBLOCK CLEANING DUTY, AND INMATE FIGHT, AND AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SUPERVISING CORRECTIONS OFFICER OUTLINING PRISON DISCIPLINE ARE EXPERIENCES OF THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE FILM CONCLUDES WITH THE IMAGE OF THE LONELY PRISONER CONTEMPLATING HIS LOT, WHILE A VOICE URGES HIM TO COPE WITH THE SITUATION. A FILM GUIDE WITH BIBLIOGRAPHY IS ATTACHED. (MRK)