Informational, NPR NewsMagazine-y, Polished
A solidly done feature about a manufacturing business based in a women's prison. Without raising the policy question directly, the piece makes a case for giving inmates something productive to do with their time since almost all of them will get out sooner or later and return to society. Rebecca Sheir's writing and delivery are snappy and upbeat. She uses lots of short lines of narration inter-cut with sound and tape from inmates and the plant manager. This is a local feature that could be used as part of a series or call-in on inmate programs or the long-running (though recently neglected) debate over punishment vs. rehabilitation.
John Biewen
, Center for Documentary Studies
Durham, NC
August 20, 2007
These women aren't just doing time; they're stitching it.
