College Behind Bars

Explore the transformative power of education through the eyes of a dozen incarcerated men and women trying to earn college degrees – and a chance at new beginnings – from one of the country’s most rigorous prison education programs.

Storyline

First Aired

2019-11-25
Last Aired

2019-11-26
Creator
Genre

Documentary
Seasons

1
Episodes

4
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

PBS, Netflix

Keywords:

prison college inmate social documentary brad prison initiative learning

Stream and watch College Behind Bars

Season 1

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

Incarcerated men and women in New York State are admitted to the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), one of ...More

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.Less

60mins 2019-11-25

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

Sebastian, Dyjuan and Tamara reflect on the difficult circumstances of their childhood, while the deba...More

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.Less

60mins 2019-11-25

3. Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters'

The debate union faces their rival across the river, West Point. Rodney, Sebastian and Giovannie embar...More

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.Less

60mins 2019-11-26

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

The debate union faces Harvard. While Rodney and Sebastian complete their 100-page senior projects and...More

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.Less