UU DOCUMENTARIES

from Nancy Stiefl

What:  Social Justice Film – 2 short documentaries

When:  7:00 PM, Sunday, May 17

Where:  Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at the corner of 16th Street & 27th Avenue, Vero Beach

Two short documentaries comprise the May 17 Social Justice Film.  Both are from Brave New Films which makes videos that inform, change attitudes, and motivate people to take action on important social issues.

To Prison for Poverty exposes private probation companies that profit from charging excessive fees to low income people who can't pay small fines like traffic tickets. If they can't pay, they go to jail. This documentary features two women deeply in debt to Judicial Correction Services, Inc. or JCS based in Georgia.  For-profit companies like JCS contract with cities and counties strapped for cash. The companies collect debts owed to courts with no cost to the government by charging the probationers.

Over Criminalized graphically demonstrates how law enforcement personnel may not be trained to deal with the calls they receive regarding homelessness, substance abuse, and mental illness. This video shines a light on solutions from around the nation that are saving lives and money, keeping the public safer, and moving us away from our national obsession with arresting and incarcerating our fellow citizens.

Following the short films, Sgt. Flowers from the Indian River County Sherriff’s Department will share information about their procedures and programs here in Indian River County.

There is no charge but donations to cover costs are gratefully accepted. The Fair Trade Corner will be open one-half hour prior to the film.