This film began two years ago with a phone call between Sandro and Corey, who was speaking from inside Otisville Correctional Facility. Corey mentioned, almost in passing, that he had been strip frisked over a thousand times. As he described the process, both as it's written in policy and the reality, it became painfully clear that this state-sanctioned ritual, normalized inside prison, would be considered abuse in any other context.

What followed was a year of collaboration: directing scenes across monitored phone lines and collecting testimony under the surveillance of the state. With rare access to two New York State prisons, we created a film that exposes a hidden mechanism of power and humiliation.

We made In Exchange For Flesh for those who have been silenced, especially those subjected to carceral violence under the guise of safety. We hope the film can contribute to public understanding, legislative change, and most importantly, healing for those impacted.

Corey Devon Arthur and Sandro Ramani

Co-Directors