How to Prepare for Prison

A sobering documentary about what it is like to psychologically steel oneself for the possibility of a conviction, sentencing, and incarceration for serious charges, How to Prepare for Prison, shot over three years, follows the cases of three Canadians. Joe, a contractor whose factory harbored a large growing operation for marijuana plants, claims to be innocent. He's a family man with a wife and three kids who worry about how they will get by if he goes to prison. Christy, a career woman who embezzled almost a million dollars from her employer, is not allowed to discuss her case with her own father as she moves through the system toward imprisonment. Demarco, a gay college-age student, assaulted a young woman who taunted him about his sexuality. Each of the three are overwhelmed by the prospect of separation from loved ones and what sort of brutality and dehumanizing experiences they will face behind bars. Director Matt Gallagher interweaves these parallel stories expertly, with a sense of growing despair among the accused. Of the three, the most compelling is Christy's, as she hires a “prison consultant” (a fascinating ex-con who spent years in jail) to counsel her on what to expect and how to survive lockup. An unusual true crime documentary that also makes a humanitarian plea, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)