Documentary Reflection

Documentary Reflection

I was Thinking number 6

There are two parts to this assignment: (1) watch ONE of the documentaries below and complete a reflection paper and (2) be prepared for forum discussion week 6.
Warning: content in some documentaries may be disturbing.
Paper should be 3-4 pages excluding cover page and/or references (if necessary).
APA format and 12pt Times New Roman font is expected. An abstract is not needed.
In general the reflection paper should be just that, your reaction to the content discussed/portrayed in the film. Although you should reference specific examples in the film, please do not simply review and/or summarize the film. The goal is to express your REACTION to the content of the film.
You may consider some of the following questions in your response: 

Pervert Park (Amazon Prime – $4.99 rental)(Note: depictions of sexual victimization and perpetration)Pervert Park follows the everyday lives of the sex offenders in the trailer park community as they struggle to reintegrate into society. The film’s focus is Palace Mobile Park in Florida nicknamed “Pervert Park”, which houses over 100 convicted sex offenders.  The sponsoring organization is Florida Justice Transitions. (Note: professor does not like the stigmatizing title of this film!)

Many of the individuals portrayed in the film share experiences of childhood abuse. What did you learn from their stories about the impact trauma can have on a person? How do you balance this with countering the dangerous and incorrect stigma that victims of sexual assault are destined to become abusers? How can we recognize the role of past abuse in the prevalence of sexual assault while also communicating empowering and positive messages for victims?
The film never shares the perspectives of victims of the crimes committed by the residents. Why might the film makers have made the choice to give voice only to perpetrators (and their allies)? In what ways do you think that decision influences audiences?
What do you think should happen to the hundreds of thousands of people who committed sex offenses and have completed their sentences? Did anything you saw in the film influence your thinking on this question?

New Asylums  https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/showsasylums/(Note: difficult to watch; violence, blood)There are nearly half a million mentally ill people serving time in Americas prisons and jails. As sheriffs and prison wardens become the unexpected and ill-equipped gatekeepers of this burgeoning population, they raise a troubling new concern: are jails and prisons Americas new asylums? With exclusive and unprecedented access to prison therapy sessions, mental health treatment meetings, crisis wards, and prison disciplinary tribunals, FRONTLINE goes deep inside Ohios state prison system to present a searing exploration of the complex and growing topic of mental health behind bars and a moving portrait of the individuals at the center of this issue.

Should people with SMI who commit crimes be treated differently than people who don’t have mental illness? Does it make a difference whether you are mad or bad? Why, why not? Which mental illnesses should apply?
What kind of dilemmas did you see for the men who were profiled? What about the people who worked at the jail?
What are some of the inherent problems with having a prison system being a major mental health provider?

Free Cece (Amazon Prime – $4.99 rental)This documentary confronts the culture surrounding transgender women of color. On her way to the store with a group of friends, Chrishaun Reed “CeCe” McDonald was brutally attacked. While defending her life, a man was killed. After a coercive interrogation, CeCe was incarcerated in a mens prison in Minnesota.

Why is this case generally unknown? Do you think mainstream media minimizes stories that relate to transphobia? Why or why not?
Cece was originally charged with Second Degree Murder (which was actually the same offense that George Zimmerman was charged with). Share your thoughts on this.
What recommendations do you have for keeping transgender or intersex individuals safe in the criminal justice system? Are there any best practices noted in the literature?

The Interrupters https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/interrupters/Three former street criminals in Chicago place themselves in the line of fire to protect their communities. The film follows the lives of these Violence Interrupters, who include the charismatic daughter of one of the citys most notorious former gang leaders, the son of a murdered father, and a man haunted by a killing he committed as a teenager. As they intervene in disputes to prevent violence, they reveal their own inspired journeys of struggle and redemption.

Many of the Interrupters and the people they help trace their descent into criminal behavior at least in part to their problematic or absent relationships with their fathers. Why do you think the father-child relationship is such a prevalent factor in this issue? How can our communities support young people who lack positive male role models?
Ameenas confession of physical and sexual abuse shows that abused and neglected children often fall into circumstances that lead them into crime, creating a thin line between perpetuator and victim of violence. What would it look like to shift our public policies and aim funding to prevent future perpetuators of violence, instead of simply prosecuting them once a violent act has been committed?
The Violence Interrupters leverage mediation skills, cultural knowledge and street credibility to gain the respect and confidence of people in conflict. Could someone with mediation training but without a similar background and experience be as effective as the Interrupters? Why or why not?
Violence in mainstream films, television shows, news programming, video games, music, etc has become increasingly graphic and prevalent over the last two decades. Do you think the consumption of violent imagery desensitizes people to violence in their public and private lives? Is the entertainment industry creating more violent content or simply reflecting an increasingly violent American culture?

I am Evidence (must have HBO or Hulu with HBO add on)The rape kit back log is the most shocking demonstration of how we regard these crimes, says Mariska Hargitay . Produced by the Law & Order: SVU star, the  HBO documentary examines why there are hundreds of thousands of untested kits across the country damning evidence of just how poorly the justice system works for those who have been raped. An investigation into the way sexual assault cases are handled by police departments across the US. (Note: themes of sexual assault and sexual violence)

Currently, only 10 states (Colorado, Georgia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas) have passed laws requiring the testing of all kits, both backlogged and newly collected. Most jurisdictions do not track rape kits, most states do not require testing, and very few prohibit the destruction of rape kit evidence. The national backlog of untested rape kits is an unconscionable failure of the criminal justice system to take rape seriously. What are your thoughts on this backlog, and what should be done?
Having listened to victims describe their experiences in the health care setting (I felt like my body was a crime scene they snatched samples nobody comforted  me), what are some key messages victims should receive from their providers? What impact/influence can social workers have in this area?
What is the role of social workers in empowering patients with information? What role can we play in informing patients about their rights and options? After law enforcement tells her father nothings going to happen with his daughters rape investigation, we see dad tell his 21 year old, Its going to be alright, baby. What can social work professionals do to intervene in this regard?

Sex Trafficking in America https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/sex-trafficking-in-america/  Sex Trafficking in America tells the unimaginable stories of young women coerced into prostitution and follows one police unit thats committed to rooting out sexual exploitation. (Warning: themes sexual violence)

Is sex trafficking a choice for those who are trafficked?
How do labels and language influence our understanding of sex trafficking? What are the differences between the terms prostitute, sex worker, or sexually exploited minor? How about pimp, trafficker, client, or john?
What are some of the childhood traumas that can present risk factors to and cause vulnerability in victims who ultimately end up in the life?
In the digital age, how has the internet changed sex trafficking? How have those changes impacted the victims and the programs that want to address it?

Stick Up Kid tells the story of a 16 year old sent to adult prison in California. This documentary details the impact of this decade long experience on Alonza Thomas.  https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-stickup-kid/

How should states use developmental approaches in their policies to protect kids in contact with the criminal justice system?
The producer interviewed the victim of the crime, the District Attorney, the defense attorney, and a civil rights attorney. What were the similarities and/or differences among these stakeholders in terms of the age/rights/responsibilities of Alonza?
How was the physical environment of the adult prison similar or different from youth detention facilities? How do you think the physical space impacted Alonza?

Solitary Nation https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/solitary-nation/(Warning: extreme violence, graphic images, blood) Solitary Nation brings you an up-close, graphic look at a solitary confinement unit in Maines maximum security prison.

How does solitary confinement relate to jurisprudence? Is it effective/appropriate?
If the purpose of punishment is to correct behavior, is that what is being accomplished here? Why or why not?
Is there an appropriate use of solitary? If so, explain. If not, discuss your rationale.

Documentary Reflection Paper Rubric

Content area

Points possible

Overview: Student exhibits a clear understanding of the documentary. Provides summary of content.

10

Personal Reaction: Student reflects on documentary and provides a personal opinion on the subject matter.

10

Implications: Student summarizes content as it pertains to the field of social work. Exhibits a clear understanding of the connection of the film to the field.

15

Research: Student summarizes applicable research pertaining to the topic as well as its congruence/incongruence to the material presented in the film.

15

Social Justice: Student connects to social justice topics and identifies actionable areas.

10

Formatting/APA/References

10

Spelling/Grammar

5

TOTAL

75