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i did one state prison term and when i parrolled i said im never coming back and all the inmates said o you willl, i been out 20 years and i never went back, its possible

That’s the wardenest warden I’ve ever seen.

Been watching prison docs since childhood. This is the best one I’ve seen. 8 years on, I would love to hear/see some updates on everyone, and the facility.

I love how almost everyone seems to have been a shotcaller at one point

It's our fault we have so many bad criminals, when you put a pot dealer with murderers and raspiest it will make him step up to the plate to survive and now we have 3 violent men instead of 2

I can tell you right now, the inmates that do talk to him, do so because of how respectful he is. Actually talks to them like they're people.

I wish we could get an update on the young man who was released, I hope he was able to make good of himself.

I love that dog just sitting on the table wagging his tail waiting to do his job so he can get that treat

In 1999, my favorite second cousin was released after doing 15 years. I got him a job and some clothes. One of the things I remembered is that he was in a hurry to do everything . I was young at the time and I was not aware of how valuable "time" is. I thought that providing him with a job(money) was something that should have satisfied him completely; that is when I learned that time is something that you never get back. I hope this brother at the end of the video is still on the streets. By the way, my cousin did NOT reoffend and has been on the streets for over 20 years.

Not going to lie, I teared up for that man as he was reunited with his family after 15 years. I picked my dad up when he was released after 28 years, I know the feeling.

That dog at 18:13 lounging on the table casually wagging his tail stole the show.

I was sitting in the ASU in High Desert when I was 26. A northerner probably saved my life. He asked me. "Why are you doing this? you don't use, you don't have a gang you gotta go back to on the street. Why are you here" and the next day I dropped out. I did another year in the SHU after that, but that turned my life around. I went in at 17. No affiliations. I've been out almost 10 years now. Getting out was the weirdest feeling. Getting treated normal and not like an animal. Having restraints off. You get so used to being treated like a rabid dog its weird when people dont. Im Married now. got a good job. Own a house. If they want to change things they need to ask people this question. "Why are you here"

I'm so glad his parents are still alive to see him get released after 15 years.

Alright, you've been out of society for about 20 years....Here's $200 to restart your life. Good luck. That's gotta be tough.

That was so sweet to see that man meet his family after all this time, I hope and wish the best for him and his family.

There's NO FUCKING WAY the amount of drugs in prisons would be possible WITHOUT the guards helping or overlooking it coming in. NO WAY.

These old documentaries are so good, really makes me sad to see what vice has turned into.

I wish that after a while felonies are removed from our records. I haven't been down in almost 10 years and my felonies hold me back from alot of stuff. Housing, and jobs. It makes it tough to navigate through life. I live on my uncles land now and I'm a kitchen manager but I recently had an interview at a university for maintenance. The job had retirement and benefits. I was hired and then they ran my background. Back to the kitchen I went. I deserve a chance at a normal life. So does my 6 year old daughter

As soon as we privatized the prison system, incarcerations went through the roof because each inmate was a dollar sign. Thankfully, things are changing and the population continues to decline. We still have a long way to go with our criminal justice system though.

That Warden reminds me of a 1950s Gym coach 😩😩😂

Man imagine getting locked up in 1999 and then seeing smartphones and driverless vehicles upon release from prison

That guy that was released after 15 years must have one of the most amazing feelings, it is probably the closest feeling a human has had to time travel. He got locked up when they had pagers and is going home to touchscreen tablets with wifi internet.

been 8 years since this video, but i hope that fella that was released is still out and doing himself well in the world we live in.. He seemed like a decent guy with that i genuinely hope hes doing himself very good

Give some some pets, dogs to train, goldfish they can feed...get them to do something useful.... pets can bring out a loving side in many people

I just got off a 9 hour shift and I feel relieved. Imagine the feeling after serving 15 YEARS behind bars

Reporter: oh these notes are in plastic to preserve them Security guard: no these were up someone's ass. I am dead lol

I went to prison a few times when I was 19, 23 and 29, all three times were isolated incidences in which case I got too drunk, decided to use and ended up stealing and got caught, I've stolen a lot of stuff from grocery stores and what not and I'm not proud of it. When I stay sober, as I have been for 4 years, I'm completely honest, it's only when I got too waisted that I would occasionally steal because the alcohol gave me a sense of not caring. It's not who I genuinely am when I do those things but I was caught 3 times and spent a total of 56 months here and there. Now to be called a burglar when I was simply waisted, made a bad choice and stole some tools from an open garage is not something I can accept. I quit drinking and stopped stealing 12 years ago and I was never a career criminal I simply got caught a few times when I was drunk, I woke up in jail saying, wtf is wrong with me? I paid my debt to society and refuse to be called a burglar or Career criminal. Thanks to GOD for allowing me to get and remain sober.

Vice news the entire report: “where does this come from?” Prison staff: “Prisoners buttholes”

That warden seems like the typical movie stereotype warden lol

"So when yall gettin out?" "Were all lifers" "So who gettin out soon?" "Were all lifers" "So who eligible for parole soon?"

Great documentary! Evenly tempered and seemingly unbiased; this really is change, one man at a time. The wardon and staff, as well as the inmates trying these programs, should be proud. It is hopeful! 👍

As a lifelong convict who did 21 yrs in prison including a 10 yr flat federal bid, I honestly believe that the prison system is a major contributor or one of the biggest reason racism is still a problem in America! No where else in America is the "politics" absolutely broken down into races and litteral segregation. Take that and understand that also we are seeing hip-hop take over the world literally. Why I bring this up is because in rap and just the whole street culture in general prison is basically glorified and used as a badge or stripes for someone who has been locked up. So it all comes to get her and it has seriously made going to prison acceptable by a massive culture. And what I will say is that the prisons absolutely have the power to stop the "racial divide" and stop the politics of race in prison. Now of course it won't be easy especially since the politics have been controlling the prisons for probly as long as they have been open. I blame the system for that. They could have made it so there was no "choice" as far as who you are around and who you associate with. But they knew if they did that it would make as much money as the way it is now, where people come in with five years and end up catching life because of the racial bullshit and the gang violence.it can definitely be fixed and changed but I doubt it will ever happen because why make these men better people who won't keep getting locked up when they can just throw you in a death trap where they let gangs destroy each other's lives while guaranteeing the prisons stay full so the jobs are secure

warden seems like a really calm guy i bet he is a monster when he gets mad

“I got nine left... I little bit of time “ damn

Inmates on the SNY yard look much more relaxed than the GP ones. 😂😂

Honestly got emotional when he came out and hugged his family I really hope he’s doing well!!

I don't have any answers for fixing the system. It's definitely broke, though. My brother went into prison as a snot nosed kid and came out a hardened criminal.

"Im assuming this is called a stab vest because it is to protect me against be stabbed" im gunna go out on a limb here and say ya

This was sooo good! The interviewer interacted with everyone in the best way possible.

Not gonna lie seeing dude get released there at the end brought happy tears to my eyes for his family.

The warden looks like a Sylvester Stallone Robert De Niro hybrid

Made me cry man when the guy at the end got to his neighborhood after being in for 15 years, & able to be reunited with his family🙌🏼🙏🏽

I love that this Vice host is an ex Navy Seal, what a great personality for this. As a Navy vet thanks for the service!! For the inmate, some of you deserve better and I hope they can make prison a better place.

Not going to lie, I teared up for that man as he was reunited with his family after 15 years.

The warden’s voice makes me feel as though I need oxygen.

The euphoric feeling of being released from prison is something I can't even begin to describe but one I hope I never have to experience again. And I only did a few years. I could not even imagine

i really hope the guy that got out STAYED out and is thriving. teared up a bit watching his story. no one is perfect and the road to redemption can be hellish... so i really wish him well

I think he meant to say a couple of rungs of the ladder he said couple of rings! Lol

"Highly trained K-9 unit" shows cute ass dog waging his tail

The interviewer did a really good job. I hope they have him do another documentary

Warden reminds me of a mafia boss. That dude is more gangster than any inmate in there lol

I did almost 2 years on C yard at SALINAS VALLEY. Very dangerous place to be & I've seen it all. Hardly anybody paroles from there & it'll psychologically change you forever. I barely made it out alive.

A PRISON K9 IS THE ONLY EMPLOYEE THAT CANT WAIT TO GO TO WORK.

i can’t believe he just laid on someones bed... with his shoes on 😂 the disrespect

This one of the better VICE documentaries that I've seen.

"We barbecue inmates, but it's solar powered" is the most California statement every made.

Hands down, that's one of the best VICE documentaries.

after doing 4 years,I know that feeling of being released,you cherish your freedom more

A thoughtful, sensitive and informative documentary Well done

This was really great, heartfelt and inspiring

the warden sounds like he just hit a nitrous balloon 24/7

Warden looking like a soldier from the movie antz. lmao!😭✌

WOW!! very emotional part upon the gentlemens release to freedom after 15 years , his family and Bless his 18 year old son to b able to c his father free of such a horrific way of living and surviving!!..

Well done man, I enjoyed this documentary 💯

Amazing how they talk about rehabilitation as if it's radical when many other countries have been taking that approach for decades

Man I can't imagine coming out after 15 years and seeing how much everything has changed. That must be such an unreal feeling. Props to this prison for putting in the effort to try to actually rehabilitate these inmates rather than letting them just sit in a cell and go back to the street to do the same things. I really hope this change keeps happening across the country.

I know these people do horrific things. Some you can tell should never be released and you can see some are terribly sorry and hope helps them try to get a chance to prove to themselves and the world they are truly sorry. God bless their victims. We all make mistakes, we are only human.

😢😢 wow I'm glad he made it out and still had his parents

i was excited when dejuan got released and i dont even know the man

AFTER SPENDING 22YRS IN PRISON ON A LIFE SENTENCE,I WAS PAROLED ON 11/17/17 I HAVE BEEN OUT A LIL OVER 2YRS NOW ,AND THAT WARDEN RANDY GROUNDS ,HE IS A COMMISSIONER FOR BPH NOW AND HE WAS THE ONE THAT GAVE ME MY SUITABILITY TO PAROLE! SO I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR SEEING SOMETHING IN ME AND GAVE ME A SECOND CHANCE AT BEING FREE AGAIN!

In the beginning I thought the rusty non greased up wheel sound was someone pulling up on a bike to a my window like Debo

That evidence booking at that exact time had me dying. The boss man made sure to have the timing right.

Trixy was a shot caller😂😂😂

He violated big time jumping up on that bunk with them shoes on.

Heart wrenching documentary

Wes Watson: Let me see that paperwork homie!

Damn, cant stop smiling watching that guy get out of the prison. Like one of the inmates said, its beautiful.

As a Correctional Officer this was one of the most realistic prison documentaries I've seen. But more educational, rehabilitation, and employment placement programs are still needed to help these guys get out and be successful in life.

You're on the edge of softness 🙏🙌

One of best docs...Really great.

Bro wanted a pulled pork sandwich from Carl's Junior before seeing his grandson,that's the move 😂

this reporter reminds me of the teacher that tries too hard to be cool

what are we doing to prevent young people from going into gangs.

Didn't think I would but I cried at the end,great doco

It was so exciting to see that guy get out, the prison system is so fucking cruel, we should at least give offenders the chance to make personal reperations to the victims rather than forcing them to be a drag on the taxpayer and get locked into a cycle of gang violence.

victimless crimes and drug offenses shouldnt make it to a prison. they should recieve a little county time followed by court ordered counseling/rehab/halfway house so the person has structure while attempting to live different. i was arrested every year for 8 years straight for petty offenses like theft and possession. i kept going back over and over and over every year. 5 out of 8 years incarcerated from 18 to 26 yrs old. finally i received a treatment sentence...1.5 years of intense drug court, 9 months halfway house, 6 months house arrest, 6 months thinking for a change classes, and 500 hrs community service. i havent been in trouble since and its been almost 4 yrs. ive held my job almost 4 years, have my own home, i now have a 2 yr old son that is my whole world, im engaged to an amazing woman, i own a 2005 chevy cobalt, 2007 aqua blue Charger on 22s, a 2002 chevy malibu, and i have peace and serenity. life is easier now. no more stress being incarcerated. no more homelessness. i work hard, pay taxes, stay out of trouble, help ppl, and dont harm anybody

I'm happy dejuan made it out. It's sad that some never realize to change until they have a life sentence.

I used to work there as an officer and Trixie was in my housing unit. She wasn’t a problem, never disrespectful, but also never talked to staff unless it was absolutely necessary. Also, the noise you hear in the background is the gun range, which, from A yard, is only a few hundred yards away.

Bro that k9 dog was sooo adorable sitting on that stainless steel prison table! His tail wagging 👋👍🐶🐾

Warden is legit looking and talking about those shanks like they're his kids' finger paintings.

Loved the end part, good luck Dewan 🙌🏾

36:05 He really has a good soul. You can see in the way he talks. It would be a privilege for me to have a conversation with him.

I felt so happy for that brother that got out. Hopefully he stayed on the straight and narrow. Hopefully he never returns to the hell of incarceration.

His questions are so stupid, redundant or repetitive lol. "So the sky is blue, right?"

Teared up at the end. You feel so deeply for the mom...

The fact a man on life sentence could have a chance they can have hope is amazing i think if your living in prison like that and can manage to be good and show you want to be normal member of society

It always a good feeling to watch someone go home. I remember the first day I got out n the waiting in rnr for hours and the restless nights before my release...

What a tearjerker seeing Deaun being released and understanding all the feelings him and his whole family must be feeling. All the lost time. This was incredibly moving VICE

I was sentenced to 20 years in 1992, I thank God I didn't get killed and I have not even been arrested for anything since then.