Time: The Kalief Browder Story

This powerful series offers a disturbing look at how race and poverty impacts the way people are forced to navigate New York's broken criminal justice system. Time: The Kalief Browder Story details some of its fatal flaws, including how the overall system works against the poor, and the endless waits for hearings and trial dates, making it almost impossible for people to get out of prison unless they plead guilty to a crime regardless of their innocence. Meanwhile, it also discusses the impact of putting juveniles in solitary confinement, the details of which contributed to President Obama’s decision to ban the practice in federal prisons. 

Time offers most of this within the context of Kalief Browder's experience, which only makes his story more tragic. The conversations with his family are often very difficult to watch, too. But the experts featured here, including defense and civil rights attorneys, and activists Van Jones, successfully outline how seemingly minor glitches in the system have far reaching and devastating consequences for those in it. Some may find these detailed discussions a little slow, while others may find the more emotional moments a little sensational. But the overall docu-series is an important, and often painful, reminder of the need for prison reform throughout the nation.