I'm producing a documentary, and would like to interview prisoners and detainees especially those detained illegally. Is it possible to get access to them?
Can the prison chief allow me to talk and video the prisoners and ask them some questions?
I'm interested in talking to those that are still awaiting trials.
2006-10-28 18:24:33 · 7 answers · asked by myname 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Hi, my husband has done 26 years of a federal 41 year sentence. I'm not sure I understand parts of your question.
Prison is different from jail. Jail is where you await trial if you can't afford bond, and also can do short sentences. Prison is prison. If you're there, you've been convicted and the trial is over.
Anyone awaiting trial would be crazy to talk with you about their case, and their lawyers would scream bloody murder. They could mess up all that plea bargaining that is so popular these days, and actually wind up doing the time they deserve, instead of rolling over on their homeys for a shorter sentence. Their lawyer is already pulling every legal trick he can to get them released or with a lighter sentence; one wrong word on tape and they could hang themselves.
I also don't know what you mean by illegally detained. Are you talking about political prisoners, like the 911 Muslims, or do you mean people awaiting trial who say they are innocent? Or like my husband, who should have been released ten years ago but has been screwed over by the inept parole board?
Those awaiting trial with public defenders might talk to you, but how will you know if they are really being detained illegally or not? Are you going to take their word for it? No no no! Your documentary would have no credibility at all. Or if you decided their story might be legit, you can spend a year researching and proving it, without your documentary ever getting anywhere.
But remember these untried people are in jail, not prison. It would be a lot easier to interview someone in a local jail, the smaller town the better, than to try to get access to a state or federal prison. You would need to have a better grasp on your request, too. If you say you want to interview people who are being illegally detained at the jail, the cops will laugh you out of there. After all, they are the ones detaining those "innocent" folks.
There are plenty of people who are already convicted and serving their sentence in prison who got a raw deal. Like 70 year old grandmas whose granddaughter let a boyfriend use granny's cell phone, and the idiot made a drug deal. So granny is in prison. There are a lot of horror stories like that. That would make a powerful documentary.
The best way to find those people within traveling distance of you is to go to the November Coalition's web site. They have documented thousands of cases, and would gladly assist you in bringing attention to some very pitiful situations.
Getting permission to interview would depend on which institution you want to visit, and could also depend on which prisoner. The warden might stonewall your request if you want to talk to a high-profile prisoner. Things are very political.
Good luck to you, sounds like a worthwhile project. Email me if you have any questions, there's a lot more you may need to know before going to a prison or jail.
2006-10-29 16:19:00 · answer #1 · answered by His Old Lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have talked to prisoners in Minnesota. I don't know about video taping them? I think it would be best to talk to a warden of a specific prison and tell him/her your intentions and they could probably arrange something like that. Considering most prisons do not allow pictures or electronic devices of any kind, you would almost have to have permission from the warden.
2006-10-28 18:31:55 · answer #2 · answered by kasawn_kitty 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it's viable to get an interview with a serial killer in jail. I recommend you touch the governor of the state in which your serial killer is imprisoned. You could have a greater hazard of an interview when you have a agreement with a publishing corporation to put up your ebook, and a dedication on your documentary.
2016-09-01 04:12:01 · answer #3 · answered by stufflebeam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do believe you can. I think it would be best for you to contact the Certain prison you wish to visit to arrange a interview. The detainee has to agree first i think
2006-10-28 18:28:39 · answer #4 · answered by ascent_against 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have to get permission from their attorneys and from the prison officials, AND the prisoner has to agree with it.
2006-10-28 18:33:46 · answer #5 · answered by kveldulfgondlir 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the news media and papers do it all the time. Naturally, there are procedures to follow.
2006-10-29 01:12:38 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes...
no video
interview yes...
call superintendent of prison you wish to go to....
2006-10-28 18:32:15 · answer #7 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋