Series synopsis
College Behind Bars is an American documentary television series that premiered on PBS on November 25, 2019. It ended on November 26, 2019.
Explore the transformative power of education through the eyes of a dozen incarcerated men and women trying to earn college degrees – and a chance at new beginnings – from one of the country’s most rigorous prison education programs.
Premise
Explore the transformative power of education through the eyes of a dozen incarcerated men and women trying to earn college degrees – and a chance at new beginnings – from one of the country’s most rigorous prison education programs.
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 4 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | November 25, 2019 | November 26, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Part 1: 'No One Ever Taught Me Any of That.' Incarcerated men and women in New York State are admitted to the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), one of the most rigorous college programs in America. As they begin their studies at Eastern and Taconic Correctional facilities, they discover that they will be held to the same high standards as Bard College students on the main campus in Annandale-on-Hudson. |
November 25, 2019 |
| 2 |
Part 2: 'I'm Trying to Get Home to My Family, Too.' Sebastian, Dyjuan and Tamara reflect on the difficult circumstances of their childhood, while the debate team prepares to face the University of Vermont. Shawnta, Tamika and Tamara make great strides academically, only to discover that BPI keeps raising the bar. Brian and Rodney are accused of breaking prison rules and sent to the solitary housing unit, SHU, their education in serious jeopardy. |
November 25, 2019 |
| 3 |
Part 3: 'Every Single Word Matters' The debate union faces their rival across the river, West Point. Rodney, Sebastian and Giovannie embark on yearlong senior projects. Newly released from federal prison, Dyjuan’s younger brother, Kanan, comes for a visit, as does Rodney’s sister, Elitha. Tamara receives devastating news from home, and Shawnta reckons with her own path to prison. In New York City. Jule struggles to find work. |
November 26, 2019 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 25, 2019 |
| Last aired | November 26, 2019 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Tuesday |