| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) |
| Contents |
Convicted -- Agitator -- Portia -- Trial -- Appeal -- Credits |
| Summary |
In 1960, Fred Arispe Cruz, a young man from San Antonio, Texas, was arrested for robbery, convicted and sent to a state prison farm to pick cotton. Inspired by the civil rights movement, Cruz, a Mexican American with only an 8th grade education, became jailhouse lawyer-- writ writer in prison parlance-- and the catalyst of prison reform in Texas. Because he helped other prisoners with lawsuits, the Texas Department of Corrections classified Cruz as an agitator, transferred him to the Ellis Unit "the Alcatraz of Texas," and subjected him to long periods in solitary confinement. Cruz filed a case against George Beto, director of the TDC, which Cruz won in the Supreme Court. This led directly to the 1974 class action suit that found the TDC system unconstitutional. As told by wardens, convicts, and former prisoners who knew him, the film weaves contemporary and archival film footage to evoke the fascinating transformation of Fred Cruz from prisoner to activist, and a prison system still haunted by its past |
|
Writ Writer portrays the historic conflict that emerged in the 1960s when Texas prisoners petitioned the courts for relief from inhumane prison conditions. Focusing on the story of self-taught jailhouse lawyer Fred Arispe Cruz, the film uncovers his legal battle, his collaboration with poverty law attorney Frances Jalet, and his successful litigation for the right of Texas prisoners to assist one another with lawsuits. His litigation paved the legal path for Ruiz v Estelle, the most comprehensive court-ordered state prison reform litigation in U.S. history. This Silver Gavel award winner includes commentary by civil rights attorneys William Bennett Turner and Steve J. Martin, and rare on-camera interviews with former Texas prison wardens and prisoners, and illuminates a critical chapter in the contemporary history of U.S. corrections. Archival films of Texas prison life are combined with original documentary footage to reveal a troubled prison system on the verge of historic change. Dramatic aspects of the story emerge from the courtroom testimony, correspondence and diaries of Cruz over the course of his legal battle. "WRIT WRITER is a terrific film about a fascinating story in correctional history. It will be of interest to instructors and students, and will stimulate a deeper understanding of the complexities of prison law and prison reform." Todd R. Clear, PhD - John Jay College of Criminal Justice |
| Analysis |
Documentaries |
|
History - Modern |
|
Human Rights |
|
North American Studies |
| Notes |
Title from title frames |
|
In Process Record |
|
"The narration of this film was adapted [by Dagoberto Gilb] from the writings and testimony of Fred Arispe Cruz" -- End credits |
| Credits |
Cinematography, Deborah Eve Lewis ; editing, Karen Skloss [and others] ; original music, Gabe Rhodes and Joel Guzman ; consultant, John V. Martinez ; research, Susanne Mason, Robin Carter |
| Performer |
Voice of Fred Cruz, Jesse Borrego ; commentators, John V. Martinez, Erasmo Mercado, Rudy Portillo, Paul Lucko, Benny Clewis, William Bennett Turner, Carl Robins, Floyd Patterson, Al Slayton, Carlos Alva, Billy Wayne McCarter, C.L. 'Beartracks' McAdams, Robert Barber, Steve Martin, Jacquie Jalet Gordon, Vanessa Jalet Stanescu, Robert Cousins |
| Event |
Television premiere, June 3, 2008, on Public Broadcasting Services's series Independent Lens, season 9, episode 23 |
|
Originally produced by New Day Films in 2008 |
| Notes |
MPAA rating: Not rated |
|
In English |
|
Official selection: SXSW Film Festival, 2008 ; San Diego Latino, Film Festival, 2008 |
| Subject |
Cruz, Fred Arispe, -1987.
|
| SUBJECT |
Cruz, Fred Arispe, -1987. fast (OCoLC)fst01964252 |
| Subject |
Prisoners -- Abuse of -- Texas
|
|
Prisoners -- Civil rights -- Texas
|
|
Prisoners -- Civil rights.
|
|
Prisoners -- Abuse of.
|
|
Texas.
|
| Genre/Form |
Internet videos.
|
|
Internet videos.
|
|
Vidéos sur Internet.
|
| Form |
Streaming video
|
| Author |
Mason, Susanne, filmmaker
|
|
Kanopy (Firm)
|
|
