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Plot Summary
3,000 kids. 1 judge. Millions of dollars. This riveting doc reveals the untold stories of a judicial scandal that rocked a nation and the chilling aftermath of the lives destroyed in the process. In the wake of the shootings at Columbine, a charismatic and celebrated Pennsylvania judge, hell-bent on keeping kids in line, ripped over 3,000 children from their families and imprisoned them for years for petty crimes, until one parent dared to question the motives behind his brand of justice. Charting the previously untold stories of the masterminds at the center of the scandal, “Kids for Cash” reveals a shocking American secret told from the perspectives of the villains, the victims and the unsung heroes who helped uncover the scandal.
Credits
Actors
- Charlie Balasavage
- Joanne Balasavage
- Justin Bodnar
- Lisa Griffiths
- Laurene Transue
- Sandy Fonzo
- Amanda Lorah
- Terry Lorah
- Elizabeth Lorah
- Terrie Morgan-Besecker
- Hillary Transue
- Marsha Levick
- Bob Schwartz
- Jim Zambito
- Mark A. Ciavarella
- Michael Conahan
- Steve Corbett
- Barry Dyller
- Basil Russin
- Dr. Jeffrey T. Namey
- Jerry Lynott
- Mark Guydish
- Cindy Ciavarella
- Lauren Stahl
Director
Producers
Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
91%- Reviews Counted: 34
- Fresh: 31
- Rotten: 3
- Average Rating: 7.5/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: Without sensationalizing his already scandalous material, Mr. May arranges the contributions of reporters, lawyers and anguished relatives of young offenders into a shocking and impartial portrait of justice denied and childhoods erased.
Fresh: [A] harrowing documentary.
Fresh: Deeply shocking and continually surprising.
Fresh: A vital, urgent and infuriating look at the devastating failures of the juvenile court system and the insidious reach of prison privatization.
Customer Reviews
Very disturbing
So very saddened by this documentary. Please help our youth.
Excellent Documentary!
I wonder why the judge seemed so disconnected from understanding the negative consequences of sentencing "3,000" young children to jail for "petty BS"? Perhaps, while he is serving his 28-year sentence, he will "get a new learnin'" about deprivation?
Time to quit jailing kids
The former juvenile court judge just doesn’t understand that incarcerating all those kids wasn’t a good thing. That was stunning to me and disgusting.
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