Two solid short pieces that would fit during ATC (or Morning Edition). The series of two reports describes a program in a Washington state prison that encourages fathers to be closer and more involved with their children. The pieces focus in on James, serving a 30 year term for drug related charges. He has six kids, and through this program he is learning to be better connected to them, and learning about himself as well. Lots of good information in the pieces. Smart to focus on one prisoner. His story helps us understand the goals and successes of the program. After listening, I wish I had been more moved by these pieces. I think the final scene in the second piece, of James having a phone conversation with his daughter Cassie, needs to have come sooner. We get the scene that "shows" us the relationship after we have already heard too much "about" the relationship from the producer, from Cassie and from James. This is a good set of pieces that would make for good programming on local stations across the country.
Review of When a Parent Calls Collect
Emily Hanford
Posted on August 15, 2006 at 12:30 PM
Two solid short pieces that would fit during ATC (or Morning Edition). The series of two reports describes a program in a Washington state prison that encourages fathers to be closer and more involved with their children. The pieces focus in on James, serving a 30 year term for drug related charges. He has six kids, and through this program he is learning to be better connected to them, and learning about himself as well. Lots of good information in the pieces. Smart to focus on one prisoner. His story helps us understand the goals and successes of the program. After listening, I wish I had been more moved by these pieces. I think the final scene in the second piece, of James having a phone conversation with his daughter Cassie, needs to have come sooner. We get the scene that "shows" us the relationship after we have already heard too much "about" the relationship from the producer, from Cassie and from James. This is a good set of pieces that would make for good programming on local stations across the country.