First and Last

First and Last is an engaging and eye-opening documentary series first aired on Netflix in 2018. The show brings you closer to the gritty and often misunderstood world of America's correctional system by illustrating the tumultuous first and final days of inmates at the county jail. The title speaks for itself; the series follows the beginning and end of an inmate's journey – from their initial intake to their release. It unveils the contrast between the world-shaking dynamics of these two life-changing events – the ‘first’ days, where prisoners are struggling to adapt to the confinement and chaos of jail, and the 'last' days, when they are filled with anticipation and uncertainty about their impending freedom.

First and Last is set in the Gwinnett County Jail, one of the largest correction facilities in the State of Georgia, thus ensuring that the series provides an ample variety of stories, emotions, and situations to be documented. This adds a rawness and diversity that forges an ever-changing, palpable narrative that holds no punches when portraying the harsh realities of the US prison system. Each episode offers a different perspective, marked by unique stories, remarkable characters, and intricate layers of bureaucracy and enforcement systems.

The series is a fusion of gritty reality, human emotions, and sporadic humor. It opens a window to the experiences that are often only imagined but rarely witnessed by society. It provides a rare behind-the-scenes look into the processes that every arrested individual must go through – mugshots, initial hearings, and cell assignments for new inmates; pre-release processes, reunions, and readjustments for those about to get out. Apart from these, the series also carves a stage for the staff – the officers, social workers, and legal professionals, to exhibit the systemic challenges they confront and their moments of empathy with inmates.

First and Last does not merely deal with correctional procedures. It conversely puts the viewers in the shoes of those who have, due to circumstances or conscious choices, ended up on the wrong side of the law. The series brings forth their jumbled sense of fear, confusion, regret, anticipation, and hope. It elucidates how navigating through the system is a life-altering ordeal, raising questions and challenges on every corner. The emphasis on detainees' experiences, their fears, their hopes, and their transformation bring a necessary humane perspective on an easily demonized community.

The emotional rollercoaster is not restricted to the inmates. The series is interspersed with interviews with wardens, guards, and other support staff where their coping mechanisms and interpersonal dynamics are exposed. These interviews add a multiplicity of perspectives on the prison system, blurring the clear line between 'good' and 'bad' and opening up an entirely different narrative on the idea of justice and incarceration. It delineates how they too experience anxiety, fear, and occasional satisfaction in managing and mingling with inmates.

While First and Last is infused with stark emotions, it is far from being overly sensational or exploiting its subjects. The bold and non-judgmental technique displays a neutral take on the happenings, leaning neither towards complete darkness nor pure redemption. The storytelling doesn’t exploit the reality of prison harshness for sensationalism, nor does it embellish it for sympathy. It skillfully brings to light what is often overlooked – the individuals behind the orange jump suits.

First and Last serves as a startling wake-up call. A fresh turn away from stereotypical portrayals of prison life, it presents a distinctive, real-life depiction of the system – rigidly bureaucratized yet encased in an ineffable human drama.

To sum it up, First and Last is a rare gem in the landscape of prison documentaries. Giving viewers a clear-eyed, humanizing look at subjects too often dehumanized, it delivers an intimate and unfiltered exploration of the realities faced by individuals involved in the US criminal justice system. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in criminal justice, sociology, or just a fan of real-life dramas.