VICE Special Report: Fixing the System

Vice Special Report: Fixing the System is a groundbreaking documentary that originally aired on HBO in 2015. Produced by the exploratory news series, VICE, the documentary provides an unflinching and immersive look at America's criminal justice system. It takes the audience on a thought-provoking journey through various aspects of the system, from law enforcement and courts to prisons and parole.

The documentary is notable for its extraordinary access to all rungs of the criminal justice ladder. But perhaps what makes it genuinely standout is its featuring of an historic event -- then President Barack Obama’s unprecedented tour of a federal penitentiary. Obama became the first sitting president to visit a federal prison when he journeyed to the El Reno Federal Correctional Institution in Oklahoma. The footage from this visit is incredibly compelling, providing a first-hand view of the issues plaguing the U.S. prison system, a critical aspect, the documentary argues, that contributes heavily to a pervasive cycle of crime and punishment.

Fixing the System doesn’t just coast on this historic event, however. It also offers a thoughtful examination on the everyday realities of those individuals intertwined in the system. Throughout the duration of the approximately one-hour runtime, the creators present interviews with a slew of persons who've been directly affected by the laws and practices of the American justice complex. This comprises prisoners who are serving lengthy sentences for relatively minor, non-violent drug offenses, their families who are dealing with the aftermath of their conviction, and even a judge who wrestles with the mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.

While the documentary covers many actors in the system, it purposefully zeroes in on the human cost of mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offenses. This narrowed focus helps in exploring more thoroughly the impact of these practices, which were primarily introduced in the 1980s as part of the "War on Drugs." The documentary adroitly uses individual anecdotes to extrapolate larger issues concerning racial disparity, the power and limits of judicial discretion, and the societal toll of long-term incarceration.

The creators don’t shy away from showcasing the lives and stories of these convicted individuals, elucidating how lengthy sentences have echoed beyond the prison walls into their families and neighborhoods. By focusing on the personal narratives of these individuals, the documentary effectively humanizes them, counteracting the societal stigma often associated with incarcerated individuals.

On the policy front, the documentary does a commendable job in illustrating the factors leading to the current state of affairs -- a bloated U.S. prison population, skyrocketing costs, and racially skewed sentencing. Through a combination of archival footage, expert interviews with legal scholars, and discussions with policy makers, including President Obama, the documentary provides a balanced and insightful study of the justice system’s fundamental problems.

Helmed by VICE Media's CEO Shane Smith, and produced by a team of experienced investigative journalists, the documentary maintains the celebrated VICE reportage style: gritty, straightforward, and factually compelling. This documentary maintains VICE's commitment to deep background research, first-person perspectives, and direct audience engagement.

Like many VICE-produced pieces, Fixing the System opts for plain-spoken and sobering narration. This approach pays dividends, lending the documentary a level of accessibility that can invite a broad audience to a discussion on an often polarizing topic. Even when discussing complex topics, such as laws and legal frameworks, this documentary manages to keep the narrative and viewpoints relatable.

Given the gravity of its subject matter, Fixing the System is respectful of its interviewees and of the audience's intelligence, presenting a multifaceted take on a deeply rooted issue. It invites the viewers to reflect on the complex puzzle of prison reform, rather than handing them convenient, one-dimensional solutions. Its ultimate goal is not to provide straightforward answers but to prompt an open dialogue on this pressing societal issue.

All in all, VICE Special Report: Fixing the System represents an exemplary piece of investigative journalism that effectively dissects the complexities of the U.S. criminal justice system. It is an engaging, enlightening, and challenging watch, which may forever change your perspective on America's prisons and the people who inhabit them.