College Behind Bars

2019•1h 0m•6.5/10

Documentary

Ratings

🎬TMDb

6.5/10(6)

Explore the transformative power of education through the eyes of a dozen incarcerated men and women trying to earn college degrees – and a chance at new beginnings – from one of the country’s most rigorous prison education programs.

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Production

PBS Productions, Artemis Rising, JustFilms / Ford Foundation

Language

Status

Ended

First Aired

November 25, 2019

Last Aired

November 26, 2019

Networks

PBS, Netflix

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

No providers available for this region.

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Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

Part 1: 'No One Ever Taught Me Any of That.'

Air date: 2019-11-25

Incarcerated men and women in New York State are admitted to the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), one of the most rigorous college programs in America. As they begin their studies at Eastern and Taconic Correctional facilities, they discover that they will be held to the same high standards as Bard College students on the main campus in Annandale-on-Hudson.

Part 2: 'I'm Trying to Get Home to My Family, Too.'

Air date: 2019-11-25

Sebastian, Dyjuan and Tamara reflect on the difficult circumstances of their childhood, while the debate team prepares to face the University of Vermont. Shawnta, Tamika and Tamara make great strides academically, only to discover that BPI keeps raising the bar. Brian and Rodney are accused of breaking prison rules and sent to the solitary housing unit, SHU, their education in serious jeopardy.

Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters'

Air date: 2019-11-26

The debate union faces their rival across the river, West Point. Rodney, Sebastian and Giovannie embark on yearlong senior projects. Newly released from federal prison, Dyjuan’s younger brother, Kanan, comes for a visit, as does Rodney’s sister, Elitha. Tamara receives devastating news from home, and Shawnta reckons with her own path to prison. In New York City. Jule struggles to find work.

Part 4: ' Home is a Work in Progress'

Air date: 2019-11-26

The debate union faces Harvard. While Rodney and Sebastian complete their 100-page senior projects and present them to faculty, Giovannie gets into trouble and is sent to SHU, not able to complete his project before being released. At graduation at Taconic; Tamara, Tamika and Shawnta receive associate degrees, while at Eastern, Rodney and Sebastian receive bachelor’s degrees.