Oscar-nominated “The Alabama Solution” shows unfiltered prison life

Oscar-nominated “The Alabama Solution” shows unfiltered prison life

Author: USA TODAY March 6, 2026 Duration: 17:31
With rare access and unflinching restraint, the documentary The Alabama Solution exposes the human cost of confinement in stark – at times difficult to watch – detail. The film sets out and succeeds in offering a view of a mass incarceration system laid bare. If what we see is functioning as designed, should it be allowed to continue? The Alabama Solution was directed and produced by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, and co-produced by Alex Duran, program director at Galaxy Gives, an organization committed to criminal justice reform. The film has been nominated for Best Documentary at this year's Academy Awards. Andrew Jarecki and Alex Duran joined USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to discuss the film. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.  Episode transcript available here.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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The Excerpt
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