Synopsis:
San Quentin State Prison was built in 1852 and suffers from chronic overcrowding. The 5,000 inmates live in a world far removed from normal society. Louis quickly discovers a prison population segregated into gangs who demand strick adherence to a violent code. He visits Carson Section, where some of the worst inmates are locked down for up to 23 hours a day in tiny cells such as David Silva serving 521 years and 11 life sentences. But he also discovers that there are many unusal relationships flourishing behind the prison's antiquated bars, such as Deborah and Rob a transgender couple who live like husband and wife, or the comaraderie between guards and inmates.
Festivals
Sheffield International Documentary Festival 2007
Synopsis:
San Quentin State Prison was built in 1852 and suffers from chronic overcrowding. The 5,000 inmates live in a world far removed from normal society. Louis quickly discovers a prison population segregated into gangs who demand strick adherence to a violent code. He visits Carson Section, where some of the worst inmates are locked down for up to 23 hours a day in tiny cells such as David Silva serving 521 years and 11 life sentences. But he also discovers that there are many unusal relationships flourishing behind the prison's antiquated bars, such as Deborah and Rob a transgender couple who live like husband and wife, or the comaraderie between guards and inmates.