This film from Bill Moyers is the first documentary to focus exclusively on people formerly detained in New York City's notorious Rikers Island Jail and give them the opportunity to tell their compelling stories, direct to camera. The film captures their vivid memories, revealing the violent arc of the Rikers experience. It is a true portrait of the upside down reality that is Rikers.
RIKERS is a production of Schumann Media Center, Inc. and Brick City TV LLC in association with Public Square Media, Inc. Produced by Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin, with producer...
Rikers: What's Next? A Conversation
Video has Closed Captions
As some call for closing Rikers Island Jail, Bill Moyers explores what choices we face. (28m 35s)
Video has Closed Captions
People formerly detained at New York City's notorious jail reveal what they experienced. (56m 40s)
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHow to Watch Rikers
Rikers is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Rikers: An American Jail
The United States is facing a crisis of mass incarceration with over 2.2 million people packed into its jails and prisons. To understand the human toll of this crisis, Rikers Island is a good place to start.
RIKERS is a production of Schumann Media Center, Inc. and Brick City TV LLC in association with Public Square Media, Inc. Produced by Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin, with producer...