Many people have a different take on what we should do with our offenders in the nation's prison system should we put them away or treat them. True therapy and corrective behavior may work for some, yet many bad boys are beyond and past help and isolation and putting many in the hole(or what is called segregation in the prison world)for punishment is the only way to go. And this HBO documentary from Kristi Jacobson shed's light on the pros and cons as she put the camera for an all access tour on maybe the toughest super max that being Red Onion State Prison in the rural mountains of the coal depressed region of southwest Virginia. As you get interviews from the inmates of the hard life of being locked in 23 hours a day only getting outside recreation in a cage, and how many say they feel sorrow for their crimes and miss the outside world of life and family and the little things like food, showers, commissary, and mail and phone calls and TV are a life line for them. And the Red Onion step down program may be a hope out for some yet many end right back up in segregation as these guys were doomed for life. Still these offenders did very very bad things the toughest of toughest offenders by committing murders and even slicing the throat of a warden and many have assaulted corrections staff and misbehaved to land at Red Onion. Thru this process many break away from the norm and develop mental health problems while being at Red Onion still many play it like a card game as these con men know how to manipulate.
Also interviewed are staff like unit managers and even the warden proving that they will handle their business if offenders get out of line and listening to the corrections officer's does shed insight that it's a dangerous job and very stressful that one's life is always at risk. Overall this film is compelling, interesting, showing another side of life that many don't see or don't want to see as it shows a harsh and manipulative segment of society are clearly locked away and stripped down from the outside world.
