Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Tapeworm Video Dist
• VHS Release Date: June 23, 1997
• Run Time: 56 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 6304552947
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #511,730 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

S. Rees, Video Librarian Magazine - September/October 1997

"A sign of Russia's new openness, the makers of this video were allowed access to Prison N-240, which houses some of the country's most dangerous prisoners not sentenced to death. Russia has the world's highest murder rate, and many of the murderers are housed here. Russian prisons are every bit as unsavory as their American counterparts, and then some. No prison libraries are shown, no televisions, there is scant meaningful work to do outside a lumber mill (eventually closed) and little attempt is made to integrate prisoners into the larger society when the men are released. The video includes interviews with convicts, guards, and families of guards and prisoners. Every aspect of prisoner life is shown, from conjugal visits (if allowed) to meals and recreation. The documentary explains Russia's changing criminal code since the fall of the Soviet Union, and tartly notes that the "Russian Mafia" criminal elite has yet to face justice. An interesting look at the dark side of Russian society..."

Product Description

Russia has over 1,200,000 prisoners serving time in it's 840 prisons. N-240 holds Russia's most dangerous men who were not condemned to die for their crimes. Our film crew was granted unprecedented access to both the prison itself and the men it holds. N-240describes in detail through interviews with guards, prisoners and their families what life is like inside the barbed wire topped walls of the prison. The film also provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of bounty hunting--Russian style... We accompany one hunter as he embarks on a journey to capture an escapee. Armed only with handcuffs and his wit, his dedication to his job is astounding when faced with the myriad of problems and challenges he must overcome. The territory he must cover is the size of Belgium and he is not reimbursed for his expenses. He is lucky if he is paid at all. RUSSIAN PRISON N-240 is an eye opening look into the Russian criminal justice system.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Its not a work of art, but....., August 6, 2003

By 

Joseph Smyly (Olympia, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russian Prison N-240 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

There is so little information on Russian prison reform, or lack thereof, that any video on the topic is bound to be informative. Any research or offerings on Russian prisons is extreamly valuable to those interested in this subject.

The video's sequences seem disjointed and thrown together, probably because of the restraints that the film crew must have been under. The video has an odd way of drawing you into the personal lives of inmates and staff, but then aburptly jerks you onto another subject.

Of course the inmates have mostly positive or noncommital things to say about their situation. So, unless you can read between the lines of what the inmates are saying, you will be mislead. It helps to have correctional experience (either as a staff or inmate) to see the truth behind the words.

Rarely can we witness the personal impacts of incarceration, free from media hype and stereotypes, that this video delivers. For that reason alone, I recommend this video.