Ep 1. The System

The show TIME: The Kalief Browder Story chronicles the tragic story of Kalief Browder, a young man from the Bronx who was unjustly incarcerated for three years on Rikers Island without ever being convicted of a crime. The first episode, titled "The System," provides an overview of the broken criminal justice system that led to Kalief's imprisonment.

The episode begins with footage of Kalief walking out of Rikers Island in 2013, a free man for the first time in three years. He had been arrested in 2010 at the age of 16 for allegedly stealing a backpack, a crime he maintained he did not commit. Despite there being no evidence against him and the victim saying he wasn't the culprit, Kalief was still sent to Rikers Island, a notorious jail with a history of violence and corruption.

The episode then delves into the history and dysfunction of the criminal justice system, with interviews from activists, lawyers, and experts in the field. It highlights the disproportionate impact that the system has on poor people and people of color, who are more likely to be arrested, sentenced to longer terms, and subject to harsher punishments than their white counterparts.

We learn about the broken bail system, which Kalief and his family were unable to afford, and how it leads to people being incarcerated simply because they cannot afford to pay their way out. We also hear about the lack of resources and support for people once they are released from jail, which often results in them reoffending and ending up back in the system.

The episode also touches on the ways in which the criminal justice system is intertwined with politics, with interviews with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. It becomes clear that the incentives and priorities of those in power do not always align with the principles of justice and fairness.

Throughout the episode, we hear from Kalief's family and friends, who describe the toll that his imprisonment took on him and on them. We learn about the abuse he suffered while in jail, including beatings by guards and prolonged periods of solitary confinement. We also hear about his resilience and determination to fight for his freedom, even when it seemed impossible.

Overall, "The System" sets the stage for the rest of the series, highlighting the many ways in which the criminal justice system failed Kalief and countless others like him. It provides a powerful indictment of a system that is supposed to serve justice but instead perpetuates inequality and injustice.