Kristal Bush is a lifelong Philadelphia native. She is the main subject of the film for a particular reason: Every man in Kristal’s life has spent at least some time behind bars. This inspired Kristal to earn a degree in social work. It’s her life’s passion to help families heal and connect through the trauma of imprisonment. She does so by working for Bridging the Gap, a shuttle company dedicated to helping families of inmates access visitation hours.
Through Kristal’s life and work, we can clearly see how incarceration hurts more than just the incarcerated. Their families take on extra hardships to provide for them behind bars, and it’s a five- or six-hour round trip from Philly to the prison, meaning these women and children must take time off just to visit with their husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. When her brother and then her father are released from prison, Kristal faces an additional challenge: Can she keep her own family together?
A Woman on the Outside is a powerful documentary and exemplary case study of the wide-ranging effects of incarceration on families. Our society’s values around justice are that the guilty should be punished. A Woman on the Outside is a perfect portrayal of exactly how our justice system punishes not just the incarcerated, but their families and loved ones. In Kristal’s van, we meet many women of varying ages and backgrounds who give up their time, ambition, and money to help their loved ones behind bars.
Their children suffer as well, completely disconnected from the adults who are supposed to support them through key developmental benchmarks. A Woman on the Outside includes a beautiful original soundtrack by Gerald Clayton. A subtle style backed up by interesting camera work drives the documentary, though it does stumble with pacing at some moments. A Woman on the Outside is a fantastic documentary and belongs on both academic and public library shelves. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public or academic library shelves?
A Woman on the Outside belongs in prison, biography, and social issue documentary collections.
What kind of instructors will want this title?
Professors of criminal justice and sociology will get the most value from A Woman on the Outside, but any instructors discussing the criminal justice system and racial disparities within it should consider this documentary for their syllabus.