Educational Media Reviews Online

These two short documentaries provide an overview of programming offered to young inmates at New York City’s Riker’s Island prison, both during their incarceration and after their release.

Part 1, From the Inside, briefly shows young offenders involved in educational programs, vocational training, job planning and counseling for mental health and substance abuse. Young inmates have individual case workers assigned to them until they leave Riker’s Island. Prison officials and instructors talk about the importance of job training, to build inmates’ confidence and give them lifelong skills. A social worker points out that earning money outside prison will enable young people to buy material goods, participating in society alongside their peers. Brief comments from inmates show a range of responses, from a young woman hoping to attend college to a young man with no plans to change his behavior after his release—except to be smarter and not get caught. Part 1 closes with a young man being driven home by his case worker after his release.

Part 2, On the Outside, points out that most adolescents released from jail will be back in jail within six months. A representative of the non-profit Friends of Island Academy (FOIA) describes the far-ranging (basic literacy to pre-college) educational program the organization provides for those released from Riker’s Island, who often cannot return to regular high school. FOIA also runs peer groups and a hip-hop dance class, and provides employment counseling. Instructors describe this programming, their involvement and their goals for their students; several students speak positively about the program and their hopes for the future.

Part 2 also describes Adolescent Portable Therapy (APT) counseling designed to prevent substance abuse, which is provided to former inmates for four months after their release. APT focuses on helping former inmates make the transition to home life, deal with stress and communicate better with their parents. This segment features a young man who has successfully avoided drug use since his release.

The sound quality on both films is uneven, occasionally lapsing into complete silence. The catchy sound track for Part 2 was developed by the former inmate featured in the APT segment. Both parts provide a chapter index. The two programs are also available separately.

The films serve their purpose well as an introduction to, and justification of, effective programming for rehabilitation in prison systems. The officials and social workers profiled are frank and enthusiastic about the changes they have seen in inmates’ lives, while inmates’ attitudes are primarily hopeful, nicely balanced by a few grim faces and some skepticism in Part 1. Although brief, Going Home covers several aspects of rehabilitation and provides good examples for further study. These films are highly recommended for programs in criminal justice and social work, and for those interested in the value of prison rehabilitation programs.