ARTE Distribution

More than one in a hundred adults are now incarcerated in the U.S. - that figure is higher than in China or Russia. Source: "One in 100", The Pew Center on the States, 2008

This webdocumentary, written and directed by journalist David Dufresne and photographer Philippe Brault, is an interactive road-movie of a brand new genre, and an immersion into the U.S. prison industry.
The film portrays locals of Cañon City, a godforsaken spot in Fremont County, Colorado, where even those living on the outside are inside. The vast prison complex consists of 13 prisons holding 36,000 souls, including "Supermax, the Alcatraz of the Rockies".

Prison Valley places Internet users at the centre of the debate, giving them the opportunity, via themed forums, to converse directly with the film's main characters and other participants. Images, sound, texts, documents and posts all fuel the topic over time, as it evolves into a fascinating collective debate.

Prison Valley:
- is a filmed narration (59 mn) including the same length of bonus footage
- is a high definition experience on Internet browsers
- is a subject of debate that is constantly renewed by Internet users
- fully integrates the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter

2010 : France 24 - RFI Prize for Webdocumentary 2010; Best cross-media/online production at AIB Media Awards 2010 (Association for International Broadcasting - London, UK); Best Interactive Site linked to a TV programme at the 62nd Prix Italia (Torino, Italy); Special Mention at BT Vision Sheffield Innovation Award (UK), Best Crossmedia programme at 28th Bellaria Film Festival (Italy); June, 2nd 2010 - Site of the day by FWA.