Zoom Rikers: An American Jail

Rikers: An American Jail

SKU: BVL140282

$99.95
Subscription Save
Format
The United States is facing a crisis of mass incarceration with over 2.2 million people packed into its jails and prisons. To understand the human toll of this crisis, Rikers Island is a good place to start. Of the more than 7,500 people detained at Rikers Island on any given day, almost 80% have not yet been found guilty or innocent of the charges they face. All are at risk in the pervasive culture of violence that forces people to come to terms with what they must do for their own survival. RIKERS: AN AMERICAN JAIL, a riveting new documentary from Bill Moyers, brings you face to face with men and women who have endured incarceration at Rikers Island. Their stories, told direct to camera, vividly describe the cruel arc of the Rikers experience—from the shock of entry, to the extortion and control exercised by other inmates, the oppressive interaction with corrections officers, the beatings and stabbings, the torture of solitary confinement and the many challenges of returning to the outside world.

If you are purchasing a 3-Year Streaming option, you will receive a link for your videos via email within 24 - 48 hours. If you are making your order on a weekend, the order will be processed on the next business day.

Rikers: An American Jail (03:27)
Rikers Island is classified as one of the ten worst jails in America; over two million convicts are incarcerated per year. Inmates discuss entering the prison for the first time. Nearly 80% of Rikers detainees are being held awaiting trial, sentencing, or dismissal. (Credits)

Inmate Stories (03:30)
Police arrested Ismael Nazario at a park in Brooklyn on September 28, 2006. Half the detainees cannot afford bail which is normally set under $1,000. Former inmates describe their initial reactions to entering Rikers Island.

Psychological Issues (04:01)
Approximately 40% of the detainees at Rikers are diagnosed with a mental illness. Damien James Stapleton recalls how his mother took him to the hospital after she saw evidence of abuse. Inmates discuss their mood disorders and drug abuse.

Muslim Governance Model (02:35)
After Umar's death in 644, the Muslim caliphate expanded to encompass Sassanid Persia, supported by Islam's message of equality. Caliphs relied on local Jewish and Christian elites to administer the empire under the dhimmi system.

Kahina (02:33)
Christianity, polytheism, and Judaism were common in North Africa. The legendary Berber queen led resistance to Muslim conquest. After 50 years, the conquerors gained control of the region.

Al-Andalus (04:13)
Berber general Tariq ibn Ziyad commanded Muslim armies that invaded Spain in 711. Christian Visigoth rulers persecuted Jews, who welcomed the Muslims and became their allies. Within a century, the Muslim empire had spread to three continents.

Credits: Origins (610-721) (01:20)
Credits: Origins (610-721)

Gang-Related Violence (03:52)
Rev. Hector "Benny" Custodio founded the Latin Kings, one of the most feared gangs in New York City. Brotherly Love Overrides Oppressive Destruction (BLOOD) formed to help create a family of gang members inside Rikers. Neal recalls family members working as correction officers (COs) while he was serving time.

CO Abuse (04:34)
Former inmates discuss COs and physical abuse. In 2015, there were over 4,000 documented cases of "use of force" by guards.

Isolation behind Bars (07:17)
Ralph Nunez filed a lawsuit against his CO's. Former inmates discuss solitary confinement. Nazario spent 120 days in punitive segregation.

Psychological Impact (05:00)
Neal explains how prisoners cannot sleep at night because of the noise level. Morse began cutting to relieve the pain. Former inmates admit to contemplating suicide.

Recidivism and Acclamation (04:06)
Nazario states that prisoners are meant to return to Rikers. Former inmates discuss leaving the facility and readjusting to society.

Where Are They Now? (03:22)
Stapleton went to Rikers before being sent to an upstate prison. Former convicts turned their lives around and started advocating for inmates and at-risk youth. Rikers settled the lawsuit Robert Hinton initiated for $450,000; the former convict was shot days before he received the check.

Credits: Rikers: An American Jail (00:29)
Credits: Rikers: An American Jail

Length: 57 min

Copyright Date: 2016

Author:

Rikers: An American Jail

$99.95

Cart

No more products available for purchase

Your cart is currently empty.