Prisoners of Age 2005
Distributed by Films Media Group, PO Box 2053, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2053; 800-257-5126
Produced by The Eyes Project Development Corporation in association with CBCNEWSWORLD
Directed by Stan Feingold
DVD, color, 50 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Aging, American Studies, Canadian Studies, Crime, Criminal Justice, Death and Dying, Social Sciences
Date Entered: 09/20/2006
Reviewed by David Magolis, Social Sciences Librarian, Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaThrough a picture book, a photographer gains access to correctional facilities in the Deep South and Canada to share inmates’ stories. The film Prisoners of Age reflects on the lives of aging adult male prisoners. The documentary depicts the mental, physical, and social difficulties inmates encounter through the stories and faces of its adults. This film clearly illustrates the outlook prisoners have on life, prison, being paroled and what they face in their day to day lives inside a correctional facility. By telling real stories, the documentary forces individuals to reflect on the current correctional system and methods to improve its practice.
This outstanding piece of documentary filmmaking superbly captures what inmates face inside prisons today. The superior cinematography and music are both integral to the film. The information is conveyed through a myriad of screen angles and audio that captures the emotion, personalities, and wit of the individuals involved. It is strongly recommended for libraries with a focus in the humanities and with an interest in the criminal justice system, prisons, prisoners and social change.
In addition, the documentary asks the larger questions, such as “What can be done with an aging prison population?” and “What are the alternatives for prisons that face overcrowding and death?” Troubling at times, but only because it is an accurate portrayal of prison, Prisoners of Age is highly recommended.