Film Lens
Prison Town, USA is a documentary about Susanville, California, a small rural town that shifted its economic reliance from agriculture, mining, and timber to prisons. The film illustrates how the town accepted the construction of a state prison to revitalize its economy, which has increasingly depended on incarceration since the late 20th century. Now, Susanville hosts two state prisons and a federal prison in nearby Herlong, with half of the town's adults employed in these facilities.
The narrative centers on four men: Lonnie Tyler, a prisoner; Dawayne Brasher and Gabe Jones, prison guards; and Mike O'Kelly, a dairyman concerned about the prison's impact on local business. The film captures their personal stories and the wider effects of prison construction on community dynamics, reflecting the changing economic landscape of Lassen County.
Why Watch
- •Meet Lonnie Tyler, a prisoner in Susanville's state prison.
- •Follow guards Dawayne Brasher and Gabe Jones in their daily work.
- •Find out how the prison affects local dairyman Mike O'Kelly.
Did You Know
•Susanville has two state prisons and a federal prison nearby in Herlong.
•Half of the adults in Susanville work in the prison facilities.
•11,000 people are incarcerated in Lassen County.
Perfect For
Prison economyCalifornia rural lifeDocumentary enthusiasts