This project examines the impact on family relations and dynamics when one or more member of a family is incarcerated. How do some families overcome the separation, financial strain, social stigma and guilt while others crumble? Why is there a greater likelihood that a child of someone who is in prison will also end up in jail at some point? How do society, politics or special interests help or hinder family relations? For example, many states currently allow telephone companies to penalize inmates and their families by charging a staggering connection surcharge (about $3) and higher per minute rates (upto 16 cents) for collect phone calls–—a regressive toll in an age of unlimited local and long distance calling. This at a time when research and experience shows that inmates who stay in touch with their families are likelier to have a smooth transition back to civil society when released.
How do such obstacles impact the relationship between a parent and child (both the parent who remains at home and the one in prison)? Between husband and wife? Between siblings? How are family relations re-established when a prisoner is released? What are the unforeseen consequences of being released? What efforts do inmates make to stay in touch from within prison walls? Lives in Focus is NOT questioning the guilty verdict that sent people to prison. We also recognize that many crimes upset the lives of others–in extreme cases even depriving families of their own loved ones. Lives in Focus believes, however, that it is important to document and be aware of the repercussions that imprisonment has on an inmate’s family, a large and growing population in America.
Hello,
My name is Allie Grady and I am an intern currently working with ro*co films, who has partnered with OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network to create a Documentary Club.
On Thursday, July 28th at 9pm, OWN will premiere the third film in the Documentary Club, Serving Life – about an extraordinary hospice program where hardened criminals care for dying inmates, narrated and executive produced by Forest Whitaker.
Watching this film will be a great experience for your organization as it shows the inmates struggle for redemption by caring for the terminally ill. We strongly believe that this film will resonate with your organization.
Documentaries are a powerful way to unite people and inspire them to lead more compassionate and engaged lives. We all learn best from our own experiences, but the next best thing is to learn from others. That is our goal for the OWN Documentary Club…connecting the world through stories that matter.
We invite you and your members to tune into the US Premiere of Serving Life, on OWN Thursday, July 28th at 9:00pm.
Below is the link to OWN’s Documentary Club website, where you can view the film’s trailer, and learn more about the Club. You will also notice a Channel Finder box to the right and a link below, which is to help people find the OWN channel in their area.
http://www.oprah.com/own/channel_finder.html
http://www.oprah.com/own-doc-club/Serving-Life-Trailer
http://www.facebook.com/owndocclub
Thank you for your time and support of this film.
Sincerely,
Allie Grady