Behind our Walls Screening and Panel Discussion

Behind Our Walls tells the story of a group of inmates in Michigan, as they seek a college education behind bars through the Calvin Prison Initiative, a joint program of Calvin Theological Seminary and Calvin University. This documentary demonstrates the resilience and determination of men behind bars, many of whom have been incarcerated for decades and are serving life sentences. Despite their differences in class, race, age, and religion, and the conflicts that arise from these differences, these men find the ability to overcome and build a strong community in a prison facility once known as "Gladiator School." Behind Our Walls shows that all people are deserving of a second chance, no matter what they've done.

Behind Our Walls recently won the prestigious Best Documentary award at the Grand Rapids Film Festival. The film has been featured at several film festivals across the state and received glowing praise. In August, the film was shown to nearly 400 employees of the U.S. Department of Education. Education Under Secretary James Kvaal, who visited the Calvin Prison Initiative in 2022, noted the program is an exemplar for prison education across the country.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Calvin University Professor Sam Smartt, featuring filmmaker Nate Roels, CPI alumnus Nick Nichols, and others. 

Event quick search