Watch Behind Bars: Women Unchained

Behind Bars: Women Unchained is a powerful and revealing documentary film that explores the lives of female inmates in the United States. The film offers an in-depth look at the complex issues facing incarcerated women, including addiction, mental illness, poverty, and abuse, as well as the unique challenges they face in the criminal justice system.

The film is directed by Jared Goodman and produced by NBC News, and was released in 2017. It features interviews with current and former female inmates, as well as with experts in criminal justice and social work. The film also includes footage from inside correctional facilities, showing the daily struggles and triumphs of these women as they navigate their way through the system.

One of the key themes of the film is the impact of the war on drugs and mandatory minimum sentencing laws on the lives of women. Many of the women interviewed in the film are serving time for drug-related offenses, and the film explores the ways in which these harsh laws have disproportionately affected women, particularly women of color.

The film also examines the unique challenges facing mothers who are incarcerated, including the impact of separation from their children and the difficulties of parenting from behind bars. Through intimate interviews with these women, the film shows their determination, resilience, and love for their children, even in the face of unimaginable obstacles.

Another important theme of the film is the issue of mental illness, which affects a large percentage of the female inmate population. The film explores the challenges of providing adequate mental health care in a correctional setting, and highlights the need for more compassionate and effective treatment options for women who are struggling with mental illness.

Throughout the film, viewers are given a glimpse into the lives of women who have been marginalized, misunderstood, and dismissed by society. Despite the many obstacles they face, these women are shown to be strong, intelligent, and compassionate individuals who are capable of great resilience and growth.

Overall, Behind Bars: Women Unchained is a thought-provoking and insightful film that sheds light on some of the most pressing issues facing incarcerated women in the United States today. Through its powerful storytelling and compassionate portrayal of its subjects, the film challenges viewers to rethink their assumptions about criminal justice and to recognize the humanity and worth of even the most marginalized individuals in our society.

Behind Bars: Women Unchained is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.0.