Of course Arrival is on our radar this month. See which other movies and TV shows we're excited about in IMDb Picks.
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Title: Kids for Cash (2013)
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Charlie Balasavage | ... |
Himself
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Joanne Balasavage | ... |
Herself - Charlie Balasavage's Mother
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Justin Bodnar | ... |
Himself
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Lisa Griffiths | ... |
Herself - Justin Bodnar's Mother
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Sandy Fonzo | ... |
Herself - Edward Kenzakoski's Mother
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Amanda Lorah | ... |
Herself
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Terry Lorah | ... |
Himself - Amanda Lorah's Father
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Terrie Morgan-Besecker | ... |
Herself - Journalist, The Times Leader
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Hillary Transue | ... |
Herself
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Laurene Transue | ... |
Herself - Hillary Transue's Mother
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Marsha Levick | ... |
Herself - Deputy Director and Chief Counsel of Juvenile Law Center
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Robert G. Schwartz | ... |
Himself - Executive Director, Juvenile Law Center
(as Bob Schwartz)
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Mark Arthur Ciavarella | ... |
Himself - Convicted Former Judge
(as Mark Ciavarella)
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Michael Conahan | ... |
Himself - Convicted Former Judge
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Steve Corbett | ... |
Himself - Radio Host, WILK-FM
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Kids For Cash is a riveting look behind the notorious judicial scandal that rocked the nation. Beyond the millions paid and high stakes corruption, Kids For Cash exposes a shocking American secret. In the wake of the shootings at Columbine, a small town celebrates a charismatic judge who is hell-bent on keeping kids in line...until one parent dares to question the motives behind his brand of justice. This real life thriller reveals the untold stories of the masterminds at the center of the scandal and the chilling aftermath of lives destroyed in the process - a stunning emotional roller coaster. Written by Kids for Cash
It is one of the most disturbing stories of just how greedy and corrupt people can truly be. In 2000, Luzerne County Pennsylvania needed a new Juvenile detention facility, but couldn't afford it, so they privatized it. Leading the group that won the contract, were two of their own Juvenile court judges. That alone was a grey area, but not the issue. Soon, the judges learned that the more occupants the jail had, the more money the facility would receive from the state. So, despite the law, which requires juvenile offenders to be sentenced to the least restrictive environment possible, kids as young as thirteen, with no previous record, were being sent to JV for very minor offenses. As a result, the facility was receiving millions from the states, which the judges were embezzling. As the scandal unfolded, this documentary was filmed and shockingly, both judges agreed to be a part of it, claiming they were always tough on juvenile crime and had done nothing wrong. Judges never comment on cases and defendants are always advised not to talk to the media, but for some reason these judges did, and the way they justify their actions is truly sickening. There is even one scene where a mother confronts one of the judges outside of court house, holding a picture. She says to him, this is my son, he was fifteen when you put him in jail for drinking some beers and fighting with other teens. He served three years and within six months of being released he killed himself, and that's your fault. The judge could care less, it was truly amazing. The documentary is an eye opener and it follows the scandal through the family and offenders stories, through the investigation, right up through the trial and outcome, it really something to see. The whole thing really makes me wonder, if judges can be swayed that easily, just how corrupt is this country and how many truly innocent people are there sitting in jail or on a list somewhere, all because someone was paid to put them there?