FAQs

WHAT ARE THE CORRECT TERMS TO REFER TO PEOPLE IN PRISON?

Perhaps you noticed in the film that we use people-first language. You may have heard the characters in the film referred to as “incarcerated women,” “formerly incarcerated women,” “people who are incarcerated,” or, simply, “women.” This respectful communication prioritizes the humanity of an individual over their relationship to the criminal legal system. Other terms not only dehumanize the people to whom they refer, but also encourage discrimination against them during and long-after their involvement with the criminal legal system. People-first language was codified in New York State law in 2021.

For more on the importance of respectful communication, see this important letter by long-time activist and people-first language pioneer, Eddie Ellis.

For additional information on what terms to avoid, and what phrasing to use instead, when covering people who are or have been involved with the criminal legal system, see this resource from the Fortune Society.

WHY WERE THE WOMEN INCARCERATED?

As creators and directors of the film, the women chose whether or not to share their crime of conviction. A main goal of the film is to change the narrative around women who are incarcerated and show that they are more than the crimes for which they were imprisoned. Their experience of incarceration and the injustices they faced while in prison is what informed their organizing efforts and that is the story the film tells.. Just as all of us are more than our worst actions, the women in this film are scholars, educators, mothers, sisters, friends, advocates, and so much more. Additionally, the large majority of incarcerated women are survivors of abuse and are in prison related to actions to protect themselves and their children. In fact, 9 out of 10 women in New York State prisons report being a victim of abuse.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE IN PRISON GET COLLEGE FOR FREE? 

Beginning with a study the women at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility conducted in collaboration with the City University of New York, Changing Minds, research consistently shows that when people in prison have access to education, programs, and opportunities to rehabilitate themselves it benefits everyone, including increasing public safety. Obtaining a degree while in prison opens up more opportunites for people when they are released and increases their chances of being successful on the outside so they do not return to prison. Additionally, it costs more to incarcerate a person than to educate them.

IS THIS FILM PROOF THAT PRISON IS REHABILITATIVE?

The elimination of the college program, and the ongoing elimination of programs in US prisons, shows the common practice of our prison system revoking access to resources as a way to punish incarcerated people and their families. The film shows that education, community care, and organizing are rehabilitative. Like many incarcerated people, the women in Bedford Hills took it upon themselves to get an education and rehabilitate themselves, despite the conditions of prison.

WHY IS THIS FILM IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW?

Women are sadly accustomed to their experiences being unheard, unbelieved, and unrecognized. The contributions of Black and Brown women especially are often overlooked or co-opted by others. Films that are directed, produced, and led by women so they can tell their own stories are essential always but especially in our current societal climate that is seeking to silence women and control them.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS FOR THE FILM?

After its world premiere at the Dances With Films Festival, we will seek more festival and community screenings with talkbacks, as well as television and/or online distribution opportunities. Our hope is that this inspiring story of community organizing by women in prison becomes a widely known piece of history, similar to the organizing efforts in men’s prisons. We seek to change the narrative around women in prison by sharing their stories on a more public platform so they can be recognized as the incredible advocates, mothers, and community members they are. We also hope the model created at Bedford Hills–with incarcerated individuals directly involved in the running of the program–continues to be replicated in other prisons across the country.