A Decade Behind Bars: Return to the Farm – National Geographic Channel

When "The Farm: Life Inside Angola Prison" was released in 1997, this compelling film was acclaimed by the New York Times and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature. Filmmaker Jonathan Stack documented the life of six inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as "The Farm". 

Jonathan Stack and his crew continued to follow the lives of these inmates for another decade to create a sequel. The two-hour sequel entitled "A Decade Behind Bars: Return to the Farm" will premiere on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, on the National Geographic Channel.

Two of the six inmates originally featured in "The Farm" died, one from lethal injection and another from cancer. We learn more about the life and perspectives of the four remaining inmates, George Crawford, George Ashanti Witherspoon, Bishop Eugene Tanniehill and Vincent Simmons. 

The documentary is multi-dimensional because we also meet inmates' mothers, children, wives and families as well as a couple of the victims. A new inmate featured is Sean Vaughn, the technical director for the prison's television station. The television station features football, church services, music and fight night all performed by inmates. 

Besides having its own television station, The Farm has a magazine called the Angolite and its own radio station. The inmates show pride in their work, announcing on the radio they are the, "radio incarceration station, the only one in the nation." 

Many conditions at this penitentiary are unique, making it more of a community atmosphere than a traditional prison environment. Five active churches with Bible college exist as a result of donations. We meet Warden Burl Cain, who stresses the importance of the word "corrections". He feels a responsibility to help and correct the prisoners sent to "The Farm". 

"The Farm" earned its name because it is a real, operating farm worked by the inmates. The farm produces an impressive 400,000 pounds of vegetables every year. They also raise and sell thousands of cattle. With the proceeds, they purchase a lower grade of beef for the inmates' consumption. 

Well-behaved inmates have the opportunity to secure work for $.02 to $.20 per hour. Some trustworthy inmates are appointed as Trustees to help keep order on the grounds. Inmates caught breaking the rules are sent to Camp J where they may only be let our for one hour each day. With this incentive system, Warden Cain reports at 74 percent drop in murder, suicide and escape rates over the past decade. 

While the inmates work freely, there is stringent checking process in place including numbering, a shake down crew and a dog chase team. Half the inmates at the penitentiary are there for murder. Despite this fact, 600 employees and their families reside at a community within "The Farm" called "Beeline". They say it is the most secure place around to live. 

This prison housing 5,100 men was once considered one of the most violent, bloody penitentiaries in the nation. Today violence at "The Farm" is a record low. Warden Cain focuses on morality, whether inmates have a religion or are atheists. 

Two inmates are released for parole in the documentary, George Ashanti Witherspoon and Bishop Eugene Tanniehill. Witherspoon is a community organizer and motivational speaker and Bishop Tanniehill is speaking the word of God. Both men are now married and giving back to society. 

The remaining two inmates, Vincent Simmons and George Crawford, both claim to be innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted. Simmons had 7 appeals in 10 years and Crawford is working on becoming a Trustee at The Farm. 

I was impressed with the sense of community at The Farm. Inmates pray, work, interact and learn together. Many earn their GED and other educational advancements during their stay in the penitentiary. The staff lives right on the premises with everyone working toward one common goal - the rehabilitation of the inmates through moral teachings, hard work and self-expression. 

The radio station, television station and magazine are outlets for the inmates' thoughts, talents and creativity. "The Farm" makes the prison self-sustaining while offering paid work to the inmates. "The Farm" also encourages inmate/victim reconciliation to prove the inmates are worthy of parole. While this process is a healing one, inmates who claim innocence feel it may hold them back from getting parole. 

"A Decade Behind Bars" shows the human side of inmates. For those who have family or friends who faced prison, it shows the real connection and love that continues behind bars. For those who were victims, it is reassuring to know the focus is on correction and rehabilitation prior to parole. 

"The Farm" gives inmates the chance to learn about work, religion and creativity with an opportunity fr educational advancement. "A Decade Behind Bars" reminds everyone prisoners are people, too. When we treat them as such, many can rehabilitate and enjoy a productive life. 

To see the original 1997 documentary or find out more about the sequel, visit the National Geographic website.  Thank you Gather for an eye-opening preview!