On June 30 and July 1, 2023, a screening of the documentary film “Prison Circle” (Director: Kaoru Sakagami/2019/136 min.) and a talk session with the director were held at the Large Conference Room on the 7th floor of the Research and Development Bureau Building at Saitama University.

The total number of participants over both days, including members of the general public, and Saitama University students, faculty and staff, reached 85.

“Prison Circle” is a documentary film set at the Shimane Asahi Rehabilitation Program Center, a prison operated in a joint public-private effort. The film focuses on the practice of Therapeutic Community (TC), the only rehabilitation program in a Japanese prison based on dialogue among inmates, and it depicts the progress that the inmates are making toward rehabilitation.

（Photo : Director Sakagami, Kaori）

During the talk session, Director Sakagami discussed the background and production process of the film, the difficulties of filming in a prison, and her subsequent involvement with the inmates who appeared in the film. In her talk, Director Sakagami asked how many sanctuaries—that is, places where people can feel safe, where they can frankly talk with each other, and where they can make mistakes and still be accepted by everyone—exist outside of the one in the prison featured in the film, which highlighted how the practices in this prison illuminate the issues we face in society. She also made references to the issue of gender norms in prisons and the need for sex education.

In the latter half of the session, participants exchanged and shared their impressions with each other, and at the end, the entire group talked about issues related to the state of education, the challenges faced in creating “safe spaces” for those who are struggling to get by and for children who have been victims of violence and abuse, as well as the need to create more places and relationships where people can speak with peace of mind.

Related book
Sakagami, Kaori. “Prison Circle” Iwanami Shoten, 2022
“Prison Circle” official website
https://prison-circle.com/

“Prison Circle” official website
・Temporary Cinema: Teach-in with “Prison Circle” director Kaori Sakagami (Tofoo Films)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6i1xpoDOec

◆Comments from participants
・I was reminded of how important it is to experience having someone listen to you. This initiative was in a prison, but I thought that if there were programs like this in schools, we could have a different society.

・Thank you very much for organizing this invaluable opportunity. We were shown a documentary about how talking, listening, being listened to, and dialogue can help people recover. It made me think about people’s ability to handle their emotions while coexisting with others.

・I had not considered prisoners as part of my own diversity until now. Seeing the way they dealt with their crimes, their past, and their emotions, I realized that they are all individuals, no different from us. I felt that from now on, I must include them in my own diversity. Seeing them express their thoughts and feelings in front of others, which is something I have never tried to put into words before, I thought it was amazing that they could express their feelings to others. I also felt a little envious that they were in an environment where they could express their thoughts and feelings so openly.