Film Series: Women in Cinema, "The Grey Area" (2012)

“The Grey Area” is an intimate look at women’s issues in the criminal justice system and the unique experience of studying feminism behind bars. Through a series of captivating class discussions, headed by students from Grinnell College, a small group of female inmates at a maximum-security women’s prison in Mitchellville, Iowa, share their diverse experiences with motherhood, drug addiction, sexual abuse, murder, and life in prison. The women, along with their teachers, explore the ambiguous “grey area” that is often invisible within the prison walls, and delve into issues of gender, sexuality, class and race. Mary Haskins, Ph.D., Rockhurst University professor of biology, will introduce this film and lead a discussion following the screening.