You Don't Want to Live in My House

A maximum-security prison, the Green Bay Correctional Institution currently houses over a thousand inmates between the ages of 15 and 65. Although the crimes that landed these men in prison vary widely, the road to the big house--according to the prisoners--featured a common starting point: namely, running with the wrong crowd and abusing drugs and alcohol. Made by the inmates, You Don't Want to Live in My House is a compelling video that offers young teens a glimpse of what prison life is really like, eschewing scare tactics or melodrama in favor of well-edited sound bites from men of all ethnicities and ages describing their experiences, much of which revolve around absolute boredom and a total lack of control over their lives. None of the men ask for pity or make excuses for their actions, but the regret over wasted potential and the unnecessary pain brought to their families is palpable. From the chow hall to solitary confinement cells, this tour of a penitentiary starkly illustrates where a teen's bad choices can lead--to a life behind thick walls and locked doors. Recommended. Aud: J, H. (E. Gieschen)