Lesson 15: Behind bars (Pre-class)

Task 1. You are going to watch a video about people freed from America’s jails and prisons. What obstacles do you think they might face when integrating back into public life?Watch the video and check your ideas.

Task 2. Watch the video again and mark the sentences as True or False.Then note down the answers to the following questions.

1. After being released from prison, many people have the chance to rebuild their lives.

2. Millions of Americans released from prison face a lifetime of obstacles.

3. The speaker's job is to help criminals reduce their sentences.

4. Only those who committed violent crimes find it difficult to integrate back into public life.

5. According to the speaker, letting ex-convicts reenter society will reduce poverty and improve safety.

1. How are people with criminal records punished after being released from jails and prisons?

2. What does the speaker mean when using the phrase 'invisible cages'?

3. What are some non-jail sentences mentioned in the video? What else would you add?

4. What does the speaker say about Javon, Judy and Malik? What is he trying to illustrate?

5. What crime was the speaker involved in? Why or how did he get a second chance?