Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison

About Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison

Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison is a gripping 2017 documentary exploring life within the infamous maximum-security Red Onion State Prison in Virginia. The film provides an unflinching look at the prison’s solitary confinement unit, taking viewers inside the stark and eerie world of prisoners who spend 23 hours a day in a small cell.

Making / Production

This intense documentary was directed by Kristi Jacobson. Over the course of a year, Jacobson and her team garnered unprecedented access into this grim facility. Filming within the confines of the prison, the documentary is direct, unembellished, and manages to capture the raw essence of prison life.

Actors

• The film isn't traditional in having actors. Instead, it features the real-life stories of inmates like Larry Johnson, who delivers a strong and impactful self-portrait through his experiences and reflections.
• The staff members at Red Onion, including Randall Mathena, the warden, also play critical roles in providing insights into the correction system and the concept of solitary confinement.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Red Onion State Prison is one of over 40 supermax prisons across the United States that collectively house tens of thousands of inmates in solitary confinement.
• The prisoners featured in the documentary spend 23 hours a day in cells that measure about 8 by 10 feet.

Awards

The powerful documentary was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017.

Quotes

• "You're not free mentally in here – never." - Inmate
• "I've seen a lot of people go insane." - Larry.

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack of Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison has been kept simple and subtle, to maintain the raw, genuine atmosphere of the film.