Ep 4. Prisoners for Sale

In season 1, episode 4 of Truth and Power, titled "Prisoners for Sale," the show takes a deep dive into the corrupt world of for-profit prisons in America. The episode exposes the predatory practices of these institutions, where inmates are seen as a source of profit rather than a group in need of rehabilitation.

The episode begins with an expose of a corrupt prison deal in Mississippi where private prisons were essentially bribing politicians to keep the facilities operating at full capacity. The exposé reveals that Mississippi’s contracts with private prisons include clauses requiring the state to provide a certain number of prisoners, effectively guaranteeing the industry profits. We see how this has led to mass incarceration not only in Mississippi but across the country.

Next, the show takes a closer look at a particular private prison, the Corrections Corporation of America, and their scandalous practices. They follow the story of Kevin Thompson, a former inmate of one of CCA's prisons who witnessed firsthand the inhumane conditions and mistreatment of prisoners. Thompson began working as a prison law librarian and discovered that the company was violating the rights of prisoners through the manipulation of their sentences. For-profit prisons were using "prisoner brokers" to buy and sell inmates for profit, all while denying them the basic human rights that they are entitled to.

We then witness the story of Susan Burton, a former inmate who, upon completion of her sentence, was faced with the challenge of piecing her life back together. She started the non-profit organization A New Way of Life Reentry Project, which focuses on helping women with criminal records reintegrate into society. Burton highlights one of the most appalling aspects of the prison-industrial complex: the lack of resources and support for those who are trying to rebuild their lives and stay out of the system.

The episode then moves on to the story of a whistleblower, Joshua Murdock, who was working at a private prison in Louisiana. Murdock witnessed first-hand the unsafe conditions and mistreatment of prisoners in the prison. When he decided to speak out about it, he was fired and eventually sued CCA for wrongful termination. Murdock explains how private prisons create a revolving door system in which inmates are trapped in a cycle of recidivism, despite their best efforts to stay out of jail.

Lastly, the episode concludes with a story about an organization called the Human Rights Defense Center that is fighting against the system of for-profit prisons, advocating for prisoner rights and increased transparency in the justice system.

Overall, "Prisoners for Sale" offers a scathing indictment of the for-profit prison industry in America, revealing how prisons are being used to make money at the expense of those who are incarcerated. Through its compelling stories, the episode sheds light on the many injustices of the prison-industrial complex and the need for reform in the justice system.