Oscar-nominated prison documentary to screen in OKC, spotlighting Oklahoma prison concerns

An Oscar-nominated documentary exposing violence inside prison walls is coming to Oklahoma City. Criminal justice reform advocates want to bring attention to Oklahoma’s prison system by showing the film locally.

The documentary “The Alabama Solution” will screen at the Yale Theater in southwest Oklahoma City at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. The film highlights the dangerous conditions inside Alabama prisons. Advocates say Oklahoma has the same issues.

Watching “The Alabama Project” was an eye-opening experience for J’Shawna Smith.

“I was like well obviously this stuff happens here in Oklahoma,” said Smith. “We’ve heard the same stories here.”

Smith works for the Julius Jones Institute, which was founded after Jones’ death sentence was commuted in Oklahoma by Governor Kevin Stitt shortly before his scheduled execution.

Smith wants the documentary screening to bring awareness to the community and state leaders.

“It exposes the things that are happening inside of our prisons,” said Smith.

There’s no one better to speak about the Oklahoma prison system than someone who has been part of it.

“I’ve never dealt with it firsthand, a guard taking a life or something like that,” said Jason Miller, a former prisoner. “But definitely watched them set it up and so it’s the same, you still got blood on your hands.”

Miller said he was incarcerated in Oklahoma starting at the age of 17. He believes shining a light on violence in prisons can save lives and hold state leaders accountable.

“It’s just hushed to where it would not be heard by society,” said Miller.

Advocates for criminal justice reform also want state leaders to put more resources towards mental health care in prisons.

A community discussion moderated by Senator Nikki Nice will be held after the documentary screening.