A new documentary filmed at Sing Sing prison in Ossining provides an up-close look at the journey taken by incarcerated men toward rebuilding their lives during and after their sentences.
The film, titled “Beyond,” captures a series of TED-style talks that were part of “Beyond the Block, Voices of Sing Sing,” including personal stories along with ideas for changing the prison system and healing their communities.
The film, co-produced by Ossining-based Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison President Sean Pica, counts Clarence Maclin and J.J. Velazquez, co-stars of the acclaimed film “Sing Sing,” as executive producers.
“Beyond” highlights the experiences of Hudson Link graduates who earned college degrees while incarcerated. The film follows the men from their auditions to participate in the talks through their moments on stage, touching on their vulnerability, healing and redemption.
“Beyond the Block” includes a presentation by Robert C., a Hudson Link alumnus through Mercy University, titled “What’s Greater than Hope?”
Robert, 25, who paints as a form of expression, used his artwork to drive home his message of hope for the facility.
“What’s needed out there in the world, what’s needed certainly on this side of the wall, is a greater sense of hope,” he said.
He added: “This dark place just needed a little more light. A whole lot more light. And I knew exactly how to cultivate hope, along with beautifully simple ways to cultivate hope in others: Artwork. Powerful words. Captivating phrases.”
Robert, who has been incarcerated at Sing Sing for seven years, spoke about the takeaways from a class with Mercy University psychology Professor Heather Carella.
“She taught us the things you see every day influence your thoughts, affecting your actions, leading to your words, your character and ultimately producing your destiny,” said.
Raymond W. delivered a talk titled, “The Capacity to Change: A Second Look,”
“Those who commit some of the most abhorrent and egregious acts, and who inflict untold suffering upon others, they retain with themselves their fundamental humanity,” Raymond said, continuing, “and they carry within themselves the capacity to change. To deny them hope would be to deny them their fundamental humanity, and to do that would be degrading.”
Hudson Link created the documentary working with state Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello. Besides speakers, the presentations included musical pieces and poetry.
The 80-minute documentary premiered last year at the NYC Film Festival and is available for private showings. A screening at the Jacob Burns Film Festival is under discussion.
Hudson Link has been presenting the TED-style events with different themes at other prisons. An Oct. 23 program at Bedford Hills women’s prison was titled, “Silence! We’re Speaking,” and included 12 women who auditioned for an opportunity to speak before family members and prison officials.
The common theme in each of the talks is “giving a voice to folks that didn’t think they had a voice,” Pica said.
Hudson Link has empowered the men in “Beyond” to share about who they are, what they’ve endured, the trauma that they’ve overcome or are working on overcoming, said Eric Adejuwon, the program’s communications manager.
“These are the voices from within that wanted to be spoken of in the public lexicon and education is a platform for them to do so, Adejuwon said.
Hudson Link’s college program is offered in five New York prisons, including Sing Sing and Taconic women’s prison in Bedford, providing current and formerly incarcerated people with college education, reentry support and grass-roots advocacy.
The film “Sing Sing” and the work of Rehabilitation Through the Arts and the Sing Sing Museum are part of what Pica calls a pendulum swing in the way New York State views incarceration.
“Right now we have a commissioner of corrections and a governor that are putting innovative educational concepts ahead of what would traditionally be just security,” said Pica, who became Hudson Link board member after his release from Sing Sing and eventually rose to become executive director.
He added: “Now we’re doing law classes at two of the prisons. We’re doing master’s degrees at two of the prisons. We’re doing degree granting programs in 29 of the 36 prisons. New York is so ahead of the game.”
To view the trailer and learn more about Hudson Link or request a screening of “Beyond”: visit beyonddocumentary.com/trailer
Related stories:
‘Sing Sing’ Film Finds Hope Behind Prison Walls
‘Sister Act’ Lifts Voices and Spirits at Bedford Hills Prison
