Aaron Christopher

Like the review below - I never usually write these. When my partner introduced me to OITNB, I was skeptical to say the least. I didn't think watching a 'women's prison series' with her would be at all interesting to me but I found myself sucked in after just one episode. I particularly like the way the series started with a focus on Piper's journey but quickly transformed into an in-depth look at the journey of all the inmates at Litchfield. I think it was important to show the 'family' ideals that many of these women cling to when they find themselves incarcerated. The final season also cleverly pulled upon the heartstrings by depicting the many tragedies associated with the US's immigration policy. Bianca's story was particularly distressing despite having a happy ending. Since this was a dramatized version of an true story, I think it opened the eyes of many individuals whowatched it in relation to the privatisation of penetentiaries, immigration policy, general women's prison life and the struggle to 'get back on track' after release. I am a UK based trainee barrister (trial-attorney for you US readers) and I have seen the state of British prisons as well as the inmates who find themselves incarcerated there. However, even for me, this show opened my eyes to the struggles faced by ex-cons and those held in immigration detention centres. This show has convinced me that better care is needed as wellas a change of policy. Overall, I feel this is an important series that draws on many issues faced by society's hidden generation. A great watch - but a serious watch too.