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When men in prison join with victims of crime to create a mural about healing, their views on punishment, remorse, and forgiveness collide. Attempts to find consensus repeatedly stall. But as the participants move deeper into the creative process, the mistrust begins to give way to moments of common purpose and human contact. 

The film raises important questions about crime, justice and reconciliation and illustrates the role that art can play in facilitating dialogue about difficult issues. In a country with the highest incarceration rate in the world, there are no easy answers, but Concrete, Steel and Paint points to the need for fresh ideas and new approaches to criminal justice and corrections.

 

Concrete Steel & Paint portrays the core values of restorative justice--respect, responsibility and relationships--expressed through art. It is art that involves victims, offenders and communities in a dialogue that is sometimes difficult and painful, sometimes reconciling, but always engaging. As one prisoner says in the film, 'We have come together collectively through art.' It will be a great discussion tool for college classes, community groups and others interested in issues of justice, community-building, conflict resolution and socially-engaged art.
Howard Zehr, Professor of Restorative Justice, Eastern Mennonite University

The documentary tells about the thorny evolution of an art project meant to unite inmates and the community, which started as a mere sketch of an idea in the minds of the inmates of Graterford State Prison.

By law, the inmates at Graterford State Prison must have their identities concealed when they appear in the media. So behind the iron bars of the law, two inmates speak. We see Tom's hands, the glint of his glasses as they dip in and out of the camera frame trained on his stubbly chin, the white shirt peeking out of his maroon jumper, as he expresses a sense of powerlessness in being able to make reparations.

Zafir has a beard, cornrows, a steady voice, and he laughs humorlessly as he tries to convey how far prison life is from life in the unincarcerated world. Tom and Zafir are people, but people obscured even in art by their status as inmates. We never see his eyes as Zafir says, "I don't want my legacy to be that I was just a murderer. I do have something to contribute. I'm still a human being, here I am." These words come over an image of Zafir's fingers, painting the face of a young child with one hand while the other grips the photograph of a girl.
Kate Strong
Restorative Justice Online
full review

This documentary is a great instrument to introduce the concept of restorative justice. It depicts the true struggles of trying to balance the rights and feelings of all involved, victims, offenders and the community. It does so by taking you down a true journey of pain, healing and compromise that many face in the aftermath of crime. This film will inspire great dialogue in many settings.
Judy Cruz-Ransom, Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy

This is an extraordinary film. In intimate fashion, it chronicles the ability of art to facilitate some of the most difficult dialogues--those that occur between offenders and victims. The convergence of these separate realities as depicted in Concrete Steel & Paint will inspire thoughtful discussion wherever it is shown.
Grady Hillman, Community Arts Activist

This film takes us through the process of translating ideas, feelings and hopes into art that can speak to the public about justice and redemption, but it is also the story of transformation, as offenders and victims resolve heart-felt differences and gaps in their awareness, and come together to build something beautiful. In an academic setting this film can illustrate the complexities of issues like of victim awareness, offender reintegration, and restorative justice, and help to begin conversations that add depth to what students read.
Phil Harris, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Temple University

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AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

• Director's Award, Hearts and Minds Film Festival, 2009

• National Conference on Restorative Justice - 2009, San Antonis, TX

• International Conference on Restorative Practices - 2009, Vancouver, BC