Educational Media Reviews Online

Prison for Profit is a disturbing and riveting look at a privatized prison in South Africa called Manguang Prison. Like other films of its type, Prison for Profit is an expertly executed “muckracker” of a film. It details the torture and deplorable abuse by the proprietary security corporation that runs the prison. This includes all manners of beatings and electric ehock treatment, used under less than urgent circumstances, but more as crowd control. The film uses interviews with security officers who, not being able to find work elsewhere, find themselves in a difficult ethical struggle as they are forced to brutalize inmates, despite reservations about following orders.

Prison for Profit also uses detailed and vivid footage of actual physical abuse and the sordid conditions in which these prisoners are forced to live in. In the film, one of the main goals at Manguang is to break up gang activity, and they do so with the use of extreme measures. As a result of poor healthcare provided for the inmates, many have been left disabled and injured permanently such as one inmate who was interviewed about his broken leg, that was left untreated, and resulted in a permanent limited use of the leg. A host of other interviews shed light on the torments and abuse that inmates suffer. The primary informant about the conditions meets secretly with filmmakers and an organization who takes on the mission to bring the truth about Manguang to viewers around the world.

Technically, the film is put together in an objective, and non-stylized manner, letting the natural flow of the interviews and footage shape the film. It is the filmmakers intent to move and disturb viewers by these unfortunate circumstances depicted with the intent of change and prison reform.

The film reminded me to a certain degree of the documentaries of Frederick Wiseman, such as The Titicut Follies. While the film certainly has an agenda of justice, it also lets the film speak for itself. Advocates for prison reform and human rights activists will definitely find this film of interest.

On an educational level, Prison for Profit, is an exceptional example of a deplorable violation of human rights. It also provides a strong indictment against prison run by for-profit organizations, who will use any and all manner of treatment, abuse, and torture to achieve their agenda of controlling inmates. It is for this reason that the film may be of use for many social science instructors in higher education. The film is important, relevant, and timely. As a result, it may be a good “jumping off” point for facilitating discussions about social justice, and not only in the United States, but worldwide. The film will have universal appeal for anyone who cares to advocate for human rights.

Awards:

One World International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Nominee

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