When men in a Pennsylvania state prison join with victims of crime to create a mural about healing, their views on punishment, remorse, and forgiveness collide. Finding consensus is not easy - but as the participants move through the creative process, mistrust gives way to surprising moments of human contact and common purpose. This complex story raises important questions about crime, justice and reconciliation - and dramatically illustrates how art can facilitate dialogue about difficult issues.*Closed Captioned
*Includes Discussion Guide
"Highly suggested for viewing in academic settings"
American Library Association, March 2012
"In an academic setting this film can illustrate the complexities of issues like of victim awareness, offender reintegration, and restorative justice, and help to begin conversations that add depth to what students read."
Phil Harris, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Temple University
CONCRETE, STEEL AND PAINT is about some of the big questions that many educators want students to grapple with and grow from: What is just punishment? What is restitution? What does it mean to wrong society and pay for your wrongs? How are differences constructed between people (criminal/non-criminal, victim/offender, us/them) and how are they bridged? The questions are not easy, and the answers are not always clear. The film, pedagogically sound in that regard, does not simplify or sanitize. It allows us to grapple. And be moved and inspired while we do it."
Lisa Handler, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Science, Community College of Philadelphia
"I use it in my courses in corrections, reentry and restorative justice to stimulate and reinforce discussions of alternatives to traditional ways of thinking about justice issues. It is a terrific film."
Michael J. Gilbert, Ph. D.
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
University of Texas at San Antonio