Watch College Behind Bars

"College Behind Bars" is a gripping four-part docuseries that takes an intimate look at the lives of incarcerated men and women participating in the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), one of the only privately funded college programs in American prisons. The program was established in 1999 by Bard College, a private liberal arts college in upstate New York, to provide college education to incarcerated individuals.

Directed by Lynn Novick and produced by Sarah Botstein and Ken Burns, the series follows the lives of students at the maximum-security prisons in New York State, where the BPI operates. The documentary takes a deep dive into the program and focuses on the experiences of several students, including the program's director, inmates, and faculty members.

At the heart of this documentary is the story of Wesley Caines, one of the program's most exceptional students. Caines, who was sentenced to life in prison for murder when he was 20 years old, shares his journey towards rehabilitation and transformation through education. We follow him as he works hard to earn a bachelor's degree in social studies from Bard College while also becoming a mentor and role model to his fellow inmates.

The series explores the benefits of providing college education to incarcerated individuals, both in terms of personal growth and as a means to reduce recidivism rates. Research shows that inmates who participate in educational programs while in prison are less likely to reoffend than those who do not. College courses provide inmates with a sense of purpose and a renewed sense of hope, which can help them reintegrate into society.

The docuseries also delves into the challenges facing prison education programs, including budget cuts, bureaucratic red tape, and the U.S. government's 1994 Crime Bill that prohibited inmates from receiving Pell Grants, the main source of federal funding for college education.

But despite these roadblocks, the Bard Prison Initiative has flourished, thanks in large part to the dedicated teachers and administrators who work tirelessly to provide high-quality education to inmates. The program's success has inspired other colleges and universities to launch similar programs, and the BPI now serves as a model for prison education programs around the country.

"College Behind Bars" is a moving and thought-provoking documentary that challenges viewers to rethink their perceptions of incarcerated individuals and the role of education in prison reform. This series highlights how education can be a powerful tool in the pursuit of rehabilitation and transformation, showcasing the transformative power of higher education in providing second chances and creating positive change.