Documentary Description

A Hard Straight chronicles the lives of convicted men and women facing what may prove to be their biggest challenge—re-entering society after years of incarceration. Beginning on the day of their release from prison, this one-hour documentary follows three individuals who were formerly incarcerated as they enjoy their newly regained freedom while negotiating the difficulties of returning to an uncaring and sometimes hostile society. Of the six hundred thousand prisoners who are released from jail every year, fifty percent of them will return there, the majority within 90 days—A Hard Straight exposes the truth behind the statistics and sheds a bright and unblinking light on the profound experience of doing time and trying to go straight.

Since 1980, the inmate population of the United States has quadrupled, recently surpassing the 2 million mark. It is the highest per capita incarceration rate in the world. Every year over 60,000 people are released from prison. Half of those return, the majority within 90 days of release. One third of the African-American male population is either in jail or on parole. Clearly, the prison situation in the U.S. is one of the most profound, misunderstood, and ignored problems facing this country today.

Despite the huge numbers of individuals and their families involved in the corrections system, incarceration is an issue that flies below the radar screen of mainstream America, and is of low priority in the nation’s conscience. Ironically, this indifference to the prison problem is paralleled by a public fascination with crime and criminals. The news media, film, and TV shows exploit this curiosity and feed the public one-dimensional, often racist depictions of criminals. These distorted portrayals often serve as the main reference point for many when considering the idea of the “ex-con.”

A Hard Straight tells the story of what it is really like for a person who was formerly incarcerated to make the radical transition from prison life to society. In a chronological narrative, the film interweaves the stories of the three characters as they attempt to construct new lives. We see them from the ecstatic moment of their first taste of freedom; to the inevitable frustrations, joys, and banality of life outside of prison; and finally, to either a successfully established life on the outside or a return to prison. The film focuses on the following basic themes: what one must do to survive after leaving the prison gates with $200 “gate money” and little outside support; how an extended stay in an environment marked by racism, violence, severe regimentation, and subjugation affects one’s ability to re-integrate; and finally, what sorts of resources, both inner and outer, are necessary, to make a successful transition.

Most importantly, A Hard Straight shows the re-entry process with a clear and direct eye. The film provides multi-dimensional portraits of the characters; their personal histories, observations, remembrances, hopes, and fears. This film sheds a bright and unblinking light on the profound experience of doing time and trying to go straight.