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College Behind Bars is the inspiring, emotional, deeply human story of men and women struggling to earn college degrees while in prison for serious crimes. In four years of study they become scholars, shatter stereotypes, reckon with their pasts, and prepare to return to society. A groundbreaking exploration of incarceration, injustice, race in America, and the transformative power of education.

Watch • 57:33
College Behind Bars
Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters'
The debate team faces rival West Point, and the students’ senior projects get underway.
Episode: S1 E3 | 57:33
Watch • 0:30
College Behind Bars
Preview Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters'
The debate team faces rival West Point, and the students’ senior projects get underway.
Preview: S1 E3 | 0:30
Watch • 57:29
College Behind Bars
Part 4: 'Home is a Work in Progress'
As graduation nears, students grapple with the past and some face the realities of release
Episode: S1 E4 | 57:29
Funding for College Behind Bars is provided by Bank of America; PBS; Ford Foundation / JustFilms; National Endowment for the Humanities; Meg & Tomas Bergstrand; Regina K. Scully; The Lise Strickler & Mark Gallogly Charitable Fund; a fund at The New York Community Trust; Patty Quillin through the Meadow Fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation; Barbara & Richard Novick; Chicken & Egg Pictures; The William H. Donner Foundation; Hartley Film Foundation; Bertha Foundation; The Harnisch Foundation; Compton Foundation; and Lisa Philp; and members of The Better Angels Society: John & Catherine Debs, The Cousins Foundation, Inc., Abrams Foundation, Schwartz/Reisman Foundation, Ted Dintersmith & Elizabeth Hazard, McCloskey Family Charitable Trust, and Donna & Dick Strong
Episodes
Watch • 57:53
College Behind Bars
Part 1: 'No One Ever Taught Me Any of That.'
Meet the incarcerated students enrolled in one of America's most rigorous college programs
Episode: S1 E1 | 57:53
Watch • 56:52
College Behind Bars
Part 2: 'I'm Trying to Get Home to My Family, Too.'
Learn more about the students' personal stories and the challenges of college in prison.
Episode: S1 E2 | 56:52
Extras
Watch • 6:33
College Behind Bars
Extended Trailer
Men and women seek college degrees - and a chance at redemption - while incarcerated.
Preview: 6:33
Watch • 0:30
College Behind Bars
Official Trailer
Men and women earn college degrees - and a chance at new beginnings - while incarcerated.
Preview: 0:30
Watch • 0:30
College Behind Bars
Preview Part 4: 'Home is a Work in Progress'
As graduation nears, students grapple with the past and some face the realities of release
Preview: S1 E4 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
College Behind Bars
Preview Part 2: 'I'm Trying to Get Home to My Family, Too.'
Learn more about the students' personal stories and the challenges of college in prison.
Preview: S1 E2 | 0:30
Watch • 3:08
College Behind Bars
Bard Prison Initiative Debate Team
The Bard Prison Initiative Debate Union prepares for a debate in 2014.
Clip: 3:08
Watch • 2:15
College Behind Bars
When Bard Prison Initiative Students Debated Harvard
Highlights from the debate between Bard Prison Initiative and Harvard teams.
Clip: 2:15
Watch • 2:00
College Behind Bars
Inside Look
The subjects and filmmakers reveal how the power of education changes lives.
Clip: 2:00
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