Actor and director David Arquette hopes to raise awareness about the U.S. criminal justice system in his latest documentary, “Survivors Guide to Prison.” “We have more prisons than we do colleges and universities. It’s just completely backwards,” he told Cheddar. “It’s a plea system: 98 percent of the cases are settled in a plea, so we don’t really have a court system, and that’s what we’re trying to address.” The star-studded production is narrated by the likes of Danny Trejo, Donald Glover, Jesse Williams, and Susan Sarandon. It tells the story of Bruce Lisker and Reggie Cole, two men wrongly convicted of murders, and offers advice on how to navigate -- and survive -- the current prison system. Arquette told Cheddar that the documentary is more than a film and that it’s has sparked activism amongst the cast. “[Director] Matthew Cooke doesn’t think of it as a movie, he thinks of it as a movement,” he said. “So we’re getting behind groups like “Cut50, that’s Van Jones’ company, and we’re working with them on the ‘Dignity Campaign,’ and that’s to get women in prison some basic human rights.” “Survivors Guide to Prison” premieres in theaters and on-demand on February 23. For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/david-arquette-on-prison-documentary-that-has-hopes-will-become-a-movement).

Share:
More In Culture
Baby Elephant Interrupts Interview
During an interview with an elephant keeper in South Africa, the keeper was talking about the baby elephant he looks after whose name is Chavo, who immediately runs over to the keeper once he hears his name and starts playing with him.
How Service Dogs Can Help Veterans
Trained service dogs can help military veterans deal with mental health struggles. Cole Lyle, a veteran and founder of Kaya's K9s, joined Cheddar News to explain why service dogs are important for veterans and how he is helping to give veterans the resources for service dogs.
Load More