Witnessing the inside-out prison exchange program in History 238 Crime and Punishment in the United States was nothing short of extraordinary. As a filmmaker, you often find yourself in moments where the energy in the room is so charged, so palpable, that you wonder if that very energy can be captured, if it can be conveyed through the lens of a camera and shared with those who will experience it from a distance. This was one of those moments. The chemistry between the incarcerated and free students was unmistakable, and it was my great privilege to help shape that footage and translate the profound power of their interaction into something meaningful for a broader audience.

Through exercises like the wagon wheel, the film bears witness to a transformation—a deepening sense of community, trust, and understanding. I watched as these students from different walks of life opened up to one another, finding creative ways to communicate across the barriers of their different life experiences. It was an exchange, yes, but it was more than that—it was a reminder of our shared humanity, of the connections that can be made even in the most unlikely of places.

Professor Reiko Hillyer and I have been friends since childhood, so I’ve been hearing about this class for years. When we set out to capture this experience we weren’t sure whether it would become a documentary. What mattered was the act of documenting these people coming together—learning, challenging one another, and growing together. Even if it was just for archival purposes, it felt important and meaningful.

But as we filmed, something shifted. The enthusiasm from the students, their desire for the footage to be shaped into a film, and the undeniable power of their collective story made it clear: this was more than just a class. It was a story that not only deserved to be told, it needed to be told; a story that could resonate far beyond the walls of that classroom.

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Our hope is that this film will do more than just shed light on the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. We hope it will challenge viewers to think critically about mass incarceration in the United States and to consider its impact on individuals and communities. And perhaps, most importantly, we hope it will inspire a deeper appreciation for the kind of teaching we see from Professor Hillyer—teaching that’s not just about imparting knowledge, but about fostering curiosity, understanding, empathy, and the potential for transformation.

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Eden Wurmfeld, December 4, 2024, New York City