“I think Benevolence is an excellent tool for the classroom.” Dr. Catherine D. Marcum, Assistant Chair, Department of Government and Justice Studies, Appalachian State University, Author (with Lisa M. Carter) of Female offenders and reentry: Pathways and barriers to returning to society

Benevolence, a journey from prison to home follows the journey of five women as they are released from prison and move onto Benevolence Farm in Alamance County, NC. This documentary film is an important educational tool for engaging with contemporary issues related to women and criminal justice reform. It promotes instructive discussions about how gender affects incarceration and reentry and reveals what women face as they move from prison back into society.

Benevolence Farm is a working farm that serves as a transitional home for women reentering society from state or federal prison. Benevolence tells the story of what happens when you bring individuals who have never met, to live and work together.

This film shows how the women learn from each other’s successes and failures, share their challenges openly and seek support and strength from the group.

Benevolence focuses intimately on the women, quietly recording their day-to-day interactions with each other and the staff. We follow these women on their difficult journey to renewed independence, confidence and self-worth as they learn employment and relationship skills and relearn what it means to live life on the outside.

Subject Areas: Criminal Justice and Criminology, Carceral Studies, Legal Studies, Women and Law, Women’s Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Social Justice, Restorative Justice, Social Work.

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BenevolenceFilmStudyGuide