‘The Alabama Solution’ Review: Andrew Jarecki’s Powerful Exposé of a Prison System Where Sanctified Lawlessness Is the Law

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As a film enthusiast, let me tell you that “The Alabama Solution” is one of the most compelling and hard-hitting exposés I’ve ever witnessed about the inhumanity within the American prison system. Directed by Andrew Jarecki, who brought us “Capturing the Friedmans” and “The Jinx,” along with Charlotte Kaufman, this movie offers a searing portrayal of life behind bars that holds you as tightly as any thriller. This is an investigative documentary, filmed over five years, primarily in and around the Easterling Correctional Facility in Southeast Alabama, that doesn’t just show us instances of prisoner abuse. Instead, it delves deep into a culture where lawlessness is sanctified. The way “The Alabama Solution” uncovers this, layer by layer, revealing systemic corruption, becomes as gripping and dramatic as the crimes it portrays.

This film continues in the fiery trail blazed by documentaries such as “13th” directed by Ava DuVernay, and “The Farm: Angola, USA,” co-directed by Liz Garbus and Jonathan Stack, further exploring their insights. It delves into the complex world of prisons with a unique intelligence and raw emotional impact, a feat facilitated by advanced technology. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that allows wardens to prohibit journalists from entering prisons for reasons of safety and security, this results in a veil of secrecy. Essentially, anything can happen within prison walls without public scrutiny. It’s more straightforward to report on a war zone compared to a prison. However, Jarecki and Kaufman manage to pierce through the shroud of mystery.

Initially, they visited Easterling in the year 2019, under the impression that it was a celebratory event. Their purpose was to document a religious resurgence, which included a barbecue, being organized within the prison grounds. However, what transpired was more of a sophisticated publicity strategy. During their stay, various inmates privately shared accounts of physical abuse, stabbings, and deplorable living conditions with them.

Individuals serving sentences have consistently discovered methods to acquire illicit items (drugs, money, etc.), often disregarding prison rules or laws. In “The Alabama Solution,” we witness the imprisoned men of Easterling maintaining contact with the outside world through contraband cell phones. The prisoners stayed in touch with the filmmakers, utilizing these cell phones as an underground communication network. Footage of these calls, displayed in a vertical rectangle on screen, imparts a powerful and investigative sense of urgency. Inmates such as Robert Earl Council and Melvin Earl, who speak frankly and share their observations, serve as the film’s truthful and captivating narrators.

In “The Alabama Solution,” the raw prison footage provides a unique perspective, going beyond mere reports of events within the prison. It offers glimpses into the humanity of the prisoners, challenging their stereotypes as hardened criminals. Instead of merely fighting abuse, this film is also working to counteract the inclination in viewers, even those who are sympathetic, to categorize prisoners. By continually reminding us of the full humanity of these men, it prevents us from casually overlooking their true nature.

We’re confronted with alarming data about Alabama State Prison, one of the poorest performing in the U.S., experiencing exceptionally high rates of drug overdose, sexual assault, suicide, and homicide. One might wonder how such conditions arise. Easterling, operating beyond its capacity, is a grim testament to this reality. Here, we witness Robert Earl Council removing rats from his toilet area, and learn he spent five long years in solitary confinement. Despite the apparent trauma, he maintains an unexpectedly composed demeanor and positive outlook. However, it’s hard not to ponder: How can a prison justify keeping someone in solitary for such an extended period? In the case of Easterling, where it operates like a totalitarian work camp, such practices are part of the system’s design to mute the prisoners’ voices and conceal any flagrant legal violations.

In this haunting documentary, we are plunged into a world of darkness as it revolves around a chilling incident. A man named Steven Davis, detained at Donaldson Prison, was subjected to such brutal violence by the guards that he ended up in the ICU. However, his fate was far more tragic: He was discovered lifeless, in a body bag. He had been murdered – for no apparent reason. The film presents a covert photograph of his corpse, an image that lingers and haunts, with his facial structure crushed beyond recognition, his eye a mere black void. Thus, “The Alabama Solution” unfolds as a murder investigation. Who was responsible? What led to this heinous act? And how could such a crime be concealed?

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I find myself drawn into the gripping narrative unfolding within the cold walls of this prison. Multiple prisoners, their testimonies congruent, recount the brutal incident involving Davis – an act of violence so severe that it left his head rebounding like a basketball off the floor after being struck with a guard’s boot.

However, one voice among them contradicts the rest. That voice belongs to James Sales, Davis’s cellmate. The question arises: Why such inconsistency? The answer lies in the fact that Sales is nearing the end of his sentence, and he’s keen on avoiding any trouble that might delay his imminent freedom.

Just as I ponder how this enigma will unfold, a twist unfolds. The prison system steps in, but not in a manner that brings justice to Davis. Instead, it seems the system is working against him.

In the narrative, the character Roderick Gadson, with his bald head, cigar, and imposing stature, brings to mind the intimidating figure of Suge Knight. There’s a scene showing a hearing where he casually brushes off allegations against him, suggesting he believes the legal system will shield him. It’s important to note that this system encompasses all Alabama prisons and operates primarily for financial gain. The approximately 20,000 incarcerated individuals in Alabama generate around $450 million in goods and services annually for the state. As a result, the state has invested $50 million in defending prison officers from misconduct charges.

The Unfairness at Play – A System Entrenched in Injustice, Governed by Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey

The unfairness, encompassing murder, silence, and a capitalist mindset dating back to the slave era, forms part of an extensive network of corruption. This system is overseen by none other than Alabama’s governor, Kay Ivey, who seems almost too cheerful about her state’s prison system, making her a perfect candidate for Kathy Bates in the movie adaptation of this story.

A state-wide prison strike takes place to challenge these atrocities, and it appears well-structured. It gains momentum, captures national attention, and seems effective…but eventually, it fails. One might recall the events of Attica. The question remains, though – who truly holds the power in this situation?

Title “The Alabama Solution” implies it delves into how prisons can contribute to state-wide corruption networks. It reveals that Alabama is planning to construct three massive prisons at a cost of $900 million, not as a solution to overcrowded facilities, but rather as an efficiency strategy by corporations. The movie suggests that the problems in Alabama are not unique; they’re part of a larger trend and injustice within the American prison system. “The Alabama Solution” exposes the corrupted core of this system with compelling evidence and cinematic power, aiming to spark change.

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2025-01-30 04:19