In 2010, a 16-year-old Black kid from the Bronx was arrested for stealing a backpack. He was never convicted. But he spent 1,111 days in Rikers Island.
This one is rated so well that we listed it in The Top 33 Prison Documentaries and The 12 Best Social Justice Documentaries.
Trailer for “Time: The Kalief Browder Story”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Kalief Browder was held at Rikers Island for more than 3 years without ever being convicted of a crime.
- He turned down at least *nine* plea deals that would’ve let him go home sooner—because he refused to say he was guilty.
- He spent over 800 days in solitary confinement—including one 300-day stretch.
- After finally being released, Kalief was so traumatized he took his own life at age 22.
Watch “Time: The Kalief Browder Story”
You can watch “Time: The Kalief Browder Story” on Netflix.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 99/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 90/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: This six-part series was produced by Jay-Z and directed by Jenner Furst, who’s also known for “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story.” It’s part doc, part indictment of the criminal justice system. Every episode draws a line between poverty, race, and punishment.
Release Date: March 1, 2017 (Spike)
My Review of “Time: The Kalief Browder Story”
The Setup
Kalief Browder was a regular 10th grader at Bronx High School of Performance and Stagecraft when he was stopped by police in 2010. Someone accused him of stealing a backpack. He said he didn’t do it. But because his family couldn’t pay $3,000 in bail, Kalief was sent to Rikers Island while waiting for trial.
What was supposed to be a quick process dragged out for over 3 years. His case kept getting delayed. No witnesses ever showed. No evidence was ever presented. Still—he sat there. Beaten by guards. Attacked by inmates. Starved for human contact. He was a child, alone in one of the most violent prisons in America.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Kalief refused plea deals that could’ve ended his jail time early. He didn’t want to admit guilt for something he didn’t do. Not even to get out.
- Much of the story is told using actual security footage from Rikers—including videos of Kalief being violently assaulted by corrections officers and fellow inmates.
- Interviews with Kalief’s mother, Venida Browder, are gutting. She fought to free her son—and never stopped speaking out, even after he was released.
- Jay-Z appears in interviews explaining why Kalief’s story changed how he thinks about justice in America. He calls Kalief a “modern-day prophet.”
- After being freed in 2013, Kalief tried to reclaim his life—enrolling in Bronx Community College and speaking out about prison reform. But PTSD and depression haunted him until his suicide in 2015.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Kalief’s bail was only $3,000, but because it was a bond, his family only needed $900 to free him. They didn’t have it.
- He was placed in solitary within 24 hours of arriving at Rikers—at age 16.
- One Rikers guard was eventually caught running a “fight club” among inmates. Kalief was pressured to fight for survival.
- The doc explains how New York’s “no speedy trial” culture lets defendants sit in jail for years waiting for trial—especially if they’re poor and Black.
- Venida Browder died of a heart attack just 16 months after Kalief. Some activists say she died of a broken heart.
Wrap Up:
This is one of the most devastating docs I’ve ever seen. If you care about justice, this should be required viewing.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc