Obviously this award-winning piece doesn't need my recommendation. But I encourage everyone to give it a listen. The reporting is phenomenal, the use of music sparse but effective. Parents, kids, officers, officials, everyone has their say in this moving account of mentally ill kids in prison. I would say that this is about as powerful as radio can be.
My only wish with this piece was that there would be some specific legislative or political solution advocated at the end. But I probably just say that because the material itself is so sad, one wants some kind of answer to hold onto.
Chalk up another "Wow." There is so much powerful tape here, because I tended to 'read between the lines' as I heard the stories, especially the girl in prison.
The music is so engaging, an ingenious execution to set up tension and pacing. Is it a string quartet - original scoring? Wow #2
It is a troubling investigation, frustrating in so many ways. I kept feeling sorry for these young adults - who's the victim? but something/someone put them there. These are voices that need to be heard.
This is a nicely done documentary about a system that treats troubled and mentally ill children and teenagers like criminals. Helen Borten's writing, narration and interviewing make this a revealing piece about a genuine problem in our society.
While very alarming and disturbing, this presentation offers some glimpses of hope in the form of parents who are trying to change the system and organizing support groups and professionals who are willing to at least acknowledge the problem.
The interviews with kids and experts are very revealing. The editing and packaging give us an easy-to-follow presentation of the issues and a glimpse into the lives of Hannah, Damian, Joel and other troubled young people.
Contributing to this excellent presentation are the use of appropriate music and natural sound.
This piece could easily be the starting-point for a local call-in or forum discussing issues of "broken" mental health care systems.
Wow. This piece is made me gasp at several points. It was disturbing to hear the details, but how else can this topic be illustrated? The public needs to know that some of the kids they throw in jail really belong in mental health facilities, and what happens to them when they get there.
Excellent production values and good pacing. PLAY THIS!
Comments for The Prison Cure
This piece belongs to the series "A Sense of Place"
Produced by Helen Borten
Other pieces by Helen Borten
Rating Summary
4 comments
Gregory Warner
Posted on February 23, 2004 at 09:22 PM | Permalink
Review of The Prison Cure
Obviously this award-winning piece doesn't need my recommendation. But I encourage everyone to give it a listen. The reporting is phenomenal, the use of music sparse but effective. Parents, kids, officers, officials, everyone has their say in this moving account of mentally ill kids in prison. I would say that this is about as powerful as radio can be.
My only wish with this piece was that there would be some specific legislative or political solution advocated at the end. But I probably just say that because the material itself is so sad, one wants some kind of answer to hold onto.
Tom Niemisto
Posted on March 18, 2009 at 01:48 AM | Permalink
Engaging Radio
Chalk up another "Wow." There is so much powerful tape here, because I tended to 'read between the lines' as I heard the stories, especially the girl in prison.
The music is so engaging, an ingenious execution to set up tension and pacing. Is it a string quartet - original scoring? Wow #2
It is a troubling investigation, frustrating in so many ways. I kept feeling sorry for these young adults - who's the victim? but something/someone put them there. These are voices that need to be heard.
John Hingsbergen
Posted on May 31, 2007 at 05:36 AM | Permalink
Review of The Prison Cure
This is a nicely done documentary about a system that treats troubled and mentally ill children and teenagers like criminals. Helen Borten's writing, narration and interviewing make this a revealing piece about a genuine problem in our society.
While very alarming and disturbing, this presentation offers some glimpses of hope in the form of parents who are trying to change the system and organizing support groups and professionals who are willing to at least acknowledge the problem.
The interviews with kids and experts are very revealing. The editing and packaging give us an easy-to-follow presentation of the issues and a glimpse into the lives of Hannah, Damian, Joel and other troubled young people.
Contributing to this excellent presentation are the use of appropriate music and natural sound.
This piece could easily be the starting-point for a local call-in or forum discussing issues of "broken" mental health care systems.
Dorian Taylor
Posted on May 07, 2007 at 12:11 PM | Permalink
Review of The Prison Cure
Wow. This piece is made me gasp at several points. It was disturbing to hear the details, but how else can this topic be illustrated? The public needs to know that some of the kids they throw in jail really belong in mental health facilities, and what happens to them when they get there.
Excellent production values and good pacing. PLAY THIS!