Survivor’s Guide to Prison is a powerful documentary examining the realities of the American criminal legal system through the experiences of individuals who have been directly impacted by incarceration.

Directed by Matthew Cooke and executive produced by Susan Sarandon and Adrian Grenier, the film explores critical issues including wrongful convictions, plea bargaining, solitary confinement, prison violence, and the challenges of reentry after incarceration.

Through interviews with formerly incarcerated people, legal experts, law enforcement professionals, journalists, and advocates, the documentary offers an unflinching look at systemic failures within the prison system while highlighting opportunities for reform. The film also features appearances from a diverse group of artists, activists, and public figures, many of whom have personal experience with incarceration or criminal justice advocacy.

Sankofa.org’s Gina Belafonte served as a producer on the project, helping bring greater visibility to conversations surrounding mass incarceration, justice reform, and human dignity.

By amplifying firsthand experiences and exposing structural inequities, Survivor’s Guide to Prison continues to serve as an educational resource and catalyst for dialogue about one of the most urgent civil rights issues facing the United States today.