The Work

Twice a year, Folsom State Prison opens its doors to men from the outside and allows them to join intensive group therapy sessions with prisoners on the inside. Participants put aside gang affiliations, racial tensions, and masculine armor to speak honestly and listen with open hearts. By the time the program draws to a close, outsiders and prisoners have forged enduring emotional connections. Filmmakers Jairus McLeary and Gethin Aldous gained rare access to this privileged space, capturing participants as they pour out their souls. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen—to witness some of society’s worst offenders at their most vulnerable, raw, and relatable, as they discover what it truly means to be free. An audience favorite at festivals around the world, this powerful doc won the Grand Jury prize at SXSW.