WINNER OF THE FIRST 2017 ROBERT F. KENNEDY
MEDIA ADVOCACY AWARD
WATCH RIKERS WITH A GROUP
Across America dozens of religious groups, colleges and universities, civic and professional associations, and criminal justice reform organizations are using RIKERS: AN AMERICAN JAIL as a catalyst for discussion about the crisis of mass incarceration. Learn More
No one understands the crisis created by mass incarceration and excessive punishment like the survivors who have endured the horrors created by our criminal justice policies. This is powerful journalism, transformational art and an unmistakable indictment of the American prison system. See this film!
BRYAN STEVENSON
ATTORNEY AND AUTHOR OF JUST MERCY
MANY PEOPLE IN JAILS HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.
78%
IN NYC JAILS
63%
IN JAILS NATIONALLY
I've visited two hundred correction facilities around the country and I can tell you, Rikers is every jail; and every jail is Rikers. I've never seen a film like this before—it is the raw truth of what it is like to be on Rikers Island. As someone who spent time on Rikers as a young person, I found that every single story rang true to me.
Glenn E. Martin
FOUNDER, JUSTLEADERSHIPUSA
89%
of the detainees in NYC jails cannot
afford to post bail at arraignment
38%
of cases in NYC have bail set at $1,000 or less
Michelle Alexander
PROFESSOR AND AUTHOR OF THE NEW JIM CROW
A beautiful, yet deeply disturbing, film. Very powerful. RIKERS: AN AMERICAN JAIL shows a highly organized system of violence, where people are treated like they are less than human and leave detention more badly damaged than when they entered. How does this make us more safe?
AMERICA HAS MORE PEOPLE INCARCERATED THAN ANY OTHER NATION IN THE WORLD.
300,000
INCARCERATED IN 1970s
2,300,000
TODAY
You think you know that Rikers Island is a violent horror show? This stunning, haunting film tells you one simple and terrifying thing: You have no idea. RIKERS is a testimonial about one of the greatest human rights abuses of our time.
DR. BAZ DREISINGER
PROFESSOR, ACTIVIST AND AUTHOR, INCARCERATION NATIONS: A JOURNEY TO JUSTICE IN PRISONS AROUND THE WORLD
208,513
annual cost for a
detainee in NYC jails
22
how much local governments spend
on jails across the country
HOST A SCREENING
Bring together your members, colleagues, stakeholders or community to think about the causes and impact of incarceration and consider how you can make a difference. Request a free screening DVD and download a discussion guide.