Director Jairus McLeary was inspired to make the film after being one of the first civilian volunteers to help out at the sessions depicted in Folsom Prison. This was at the invitation of his father. He was initially dubious but his curiosity about what goes on within the walls of a maximum security prison persuaded him to take part.
The entire crew had to undergo training sessions at Folsom and take part in sensitivity sessions.
From start to finish, the whole project took 10 years to reach the screens.
Filmed in 2009.
The prison is the California State Prison-Sacramento. It is informally known as New Folsom.