Click here to read the article.

Watch Kylie perform Ma Rainey by Sterling A. Brown in the Senate Chamber at the state finals!

Cain asked the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice to embrace House Bill 138 as a way to lower the state’s costs for caring for older inmates with health problems.

Click to here read the entire article.

Below is sampling of some of the artwork done by students at Liberation Prison Project students.

Visit the Liberation Gallery to view more artwork.

Angela Shoemaker, a photojournalism graduate student at Ohio University, informs us “Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) nursery, one of four such programs in the U.S., offers a unique opportunity for female inmates to keep their babies while serving out their prison sentences.”

Contact us at screenings@hcdmediagroup.com to learn how you
can screen “The Farm: 10 Down” in your community!

“THE FARM: 10 DOWN” SCREENINGS

CONFERENCE OF SOUTHWEST FOUNDATIONS
Vail, CO
September 30-October 2nd, 2010

The Farm: 10 Down” was screened at Conference of Southwest Foundations 62nd Annual Conference in Vail, Colorado, September 30 – October 2nd. The Conference of Southwest Foundations is a nonprofit membership association of grantmaking organizations that provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences and expertise among grantmakers, and resources to enhance the ability of each organization to fulfill its charitable mission. We maintain a library of the resources required for effective, efficient and responsible philanthropy.

The film was part of the opening night special event before program officers and executives of 143 foundations, followed by a discussion on how foundations can use media/film to more effectively address criminal justice issues in their communities.

ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
Washington, D.C.
September 16th, 2010

On September 16th, “The Farm: 10 Down” was screened before an overflowing audience at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference Independent Film Series.  Each year, the Annual Legislative Conference Independent Film Series showcases ground-breaking short movies and documentaries that highlight the experiences of Black people in the United States and abroad. Drawing on thousands of lawmakers, policy professionals, grass-roots activists and concerned citizens who attend ALC each year, the series provides a unique opportunity for seasoned and emerging filmmakers to shape national discourse and policy through the cinematic arts.  The Farm: 10 Down film was screened for a session called Juvenile Justice Reform and was selected to raise awareness of the correctional system and its impact on American society.

The films were followed by a panel discussion with Ashanti Witherspoon (ex-inmate and subject of The Farm),  Producer Mara-Michelle Batlin and Director Jonathan Stack.  Other participants included:  Ivory A. Toldson, Congressional Black Caucus, Sherry Dorsey, director and producer,  “Justice For All,” Rev. Derrick Johnson “Pastor D”, Pastor of Joshua Harvest Church in Delaware, Dr. Terry B. Joyner, Director of Academic Performance and Accountability and facilitator of the Ohio Improvement Process (OIP), Mr. Dwayne Betts, the National Spokesperson for the Campaign For Youth Justice, Dr. Cheryl Grills, Associate Dean of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA and President-Elect of the Association of Black Psychologists and R. Dwayne Betts, national spokesperson for the Campaign for Youth Justice.

Many criminal justice professionals and community leaders were in the audience, and several sought follow up events.  The film was also screened in DC by The Justice Roundtable, a group of organizations and leaders in DC who are working on issues of social justice. That audience was instrumental in getting several other screenings, including the one by the Congressional Black Caucus.

AT&T PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Dallas, TX
April 22, 2010

Inspiring. Captivating. Encouraging. Those are some of the adjectives from participants at a capacity screening of “The Farm: 10 Down” at the Nancy Hamon Hall at The Winspear Opera House, AT&T Performing Arts Center on April 22, 2010. The invitation-only event was attended by Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins; State Representative Barbara Mallory Caraway; business leader Tom Dunning; Joyce Ann Brown, president & CEO of Mothers (Fathers) for the Advancement of Social Systems; Mark Hollis, Texas Baptist Men along with close to 200 Texas philanthropists, business leaders and criminal and social justice profession.

The evening began with a reception where guests met the producers, followed by the documentary screening.  Guests experienced a range of emotions as they followed the triumphs and struggles of three Angola inmates.  After the screening, Warden Burl Cain of Angola was on hand to answer questions about the complete turn-around of what was once notorious as one of the most dangerous prisons in America.  When asked about the turn-around, he attributes it, in part, to the inmate’s attendance at the Bible College on the prison grounds.  I believe the life principles they learn in the Bible College has transformed their lives,” said Warden Cain.  ”Because of the internal changes in these men, we experience peace and mutual respect at Angola.”

Here are a few more memorable quotes from the night:

“After viewing the film, the employees and inmates respect the warden…causing change in the system.” – Joyce Ann Brown, previously incarcerated

“Inmate-victim reconciliation is the key to rehabilitation of inmates.” – Warden Burl Cain

“Moral rehabilitation is the only rehabilitation.” – Warden Burl Cain

“We are so proud of the documentary that gives a voice to the Angola population, but more importantly showcases the powerful turn-around of the prison spearheaded by Warden Burl Cain.  The work he has accomplished at Angola proves that prison reform is a real possibility, even in Texas,” – Mara-Michelle Batlin, Producer, “The Farm: 10 Down”

Press from the event was covered in articles by both Dallas Weekly and The Young Professional Advocate.

Journalist Brandi Richard was also on hand to capture some of the Warden Burl Cain’s thoughts in a three-part interview following the screening.

HARVARD LAW SCHOOL, CHARLES HAMILTON INSTITUTE FOR RACE AND JUSTICE
Boston, MA
April 14, 2010

Producer Mara-Michelle Batlin and Ashanti Witherspoon were honored to screen “The Farm: 10 Down” on April 14, 2010 at the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law School.

Many members of the community joined law students, criminal justice scholars, and community leaders in an overflow audience for a discussion about race and justice in America. Ashanti Witherspoon and Mara-Michelle Batlin participated in a panel discussion following the screening.

In a touching moment, a young man approached Mr. Witherspoon after the event and said that it had been his viewing of the original film, “The Farm” as a college freshman in 2002, that had led him on the path that brought him to Harvard Law School.  And, he told Ashanti, meeting Ashanti 8 years later, and asking the man who had inspired his career in social justice to serve as his mentor, was an emotional and affirming experience.  We were all in tears as this meaningful moment unfolded, and it was a testament to the power and the ripple effects of film in society.

92YTRIBECA
Brooklyn, NY
July 8, 2009

THE FARM: 10 DOWN

In 1997, Jonathan Stack and Liz Garbus spent a year shooting inside Louisiana’s maximum security penitentiary, capturing the reality of six men living – and dying – in America’s notorious “bloodiest prison”. Their ground breaking film, “The Farm” (1998), turned a non-judgemental lens on society’s most egregious offenders, and helped us to appreciate the essential humanity that each possesses. Through our own growing compassion for the people who are currently incarcerated and victims, we came to understand the power and possibility of redemption. The film garnered many of cinema’s top awards, including the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, the LA Film Critic’s Award, the New York Film Critic’s Award, an Academy Award nomination, 2 Emmys and 4 Emmy nominations. Released in 15 countries,“The Farm” raised awareness throughout the world of the unique approach to “moral rehabilitation” that was transforming Angola Prison and the men who live there.

In the decade since the release of “The Farm,” Jonathan and his colleagues have returned time and again to Angola, drawn by the compelling stories of 5,200 men – 95% of whom will die there – whose quest for meaning and longing for redemption sustain them in one of America’s darkest corners. “The Farm: 10 Down,”  the powerful sequel to “The Farm,” speaks of human and institutional transformation. The film reminds us that a vast portion of our society resides behind fortress walls, that corrections requires compassion, and that the only true form of freedom is forgiveness.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

In partnership with The Fledgling Fund and The Ford Foundation, the producers of “The Farm: 10 Down” have created an extensive and ongoing outreach campaign that is bringing the film to communities across the country. Click here to preview a sampling of past screenings.

FACILITATION GUIDES

In addition to screening the film, Highest Common Denominator Fund was awarded a grant from The Fledgling Fund, for the creation and distribution of facilitation guides for the meaningful discussion of “The Farm: 10 Down” as a tool for social change.

Use “The Farm: 10 Down” to:

• Deepen you understanding of:  human rights, rehabilitation and re-entry,  racial disparity in sentencing, community corrections, victims rights and restorative justice, race and justice and redemption and forgiveness as social/moral values.
• Facilitate a group discussion
• Plan an event

Please register before downloading your complimentary PDF copy of the facilitation guide for “The Farm: 10 Down.”

Thank you for registering!  Click here to download your Facilitation Guide.

You may also receive a copy by emailing us at screenings@hcdmediagroup.com.  Or, you may contact us at:

HCD FUND Screenings
16301 Quorum Drive, Suite 100A
Addison, TX 75001
972-728-8490

VIEW CLIPS

Watch the trailer for “The Farm: 10 Down.”

SALES

“The Farm: 10 Down” is available through the Highest Common Denominator Media Group website for both home and academic viewing.

Please visit the HCD Media Group store here to purchase your copy today!

HIGHEST COMMON DENOMINATOR MEDIA GROUP:

For more information about “The Farm: 10 Down” outreach program, or bringing the film and director to your community, please contact HCD Media Group at:

HCD Media Group
Attn:  Screenings
16301 Quorum Drive, Suite 100A
Addison, TX 75001
972-728-8490
Email: screenings@hcdmediagroup.com
Web: www.hcdmediagroup.com

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill by Baton Rouge Rep. Patricia Smith giving inmates over the age of 60 an opportunity to apply for a parole hearing.

Angola Warden Burl Cain says the purpose of the bill is to give elderly non-violent prisoners a chance at parole in order to make room for inmates who have been convicted of more violent crimes.

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says she’s concerned about the safety of the public. But Burl says he’s confident in the parole board, and they wouldn’t release any prisoner who could potentially be a danger.

He says, of the 72 inmates at Angola over the age of 60, only 10 meet all the criteria to gain a hearing under the conditions set up under the bill.

The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

Supreme Court Upholds Order to Reduce California Prison Population