Watch: Kalief Browder’s Family Discusses the Documentary Series That Exposes His Tragic Story

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Time: The Kalief Browder Story is a six-part docuseries based on the story of Kalief Browder, who spent three years at New York City’s Rikers Island jail without being convicted of a crime. He was arrested at age 16 for a robbery he did not commit. During that time, he endured about two years in solitary confinement, where he attempted to end his life several times.

After his release, Browder’s story gained national attention and helped to expose several flaws in the criminal-justice system, particularly at Rikers.

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He continued to suffer from depression and thoughts of suicide. Ultimately, he ended his life on June 6, 2015. His mother, Vivian Browder, died just over a year later, on Oct. 14, 2016, of a heart attack.

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Jay Z, who is an executive producer of the series, teamed up with the Weinstein Co., filmmaker Jenner First and the Browder family to tell Browder’s story. The first episode premieres tonight on Spike at 10 and on BET at 11 p.m. ET. The series will continue in that time slot every Wednesday.

The Root caught up with some of Kalief Browder’s family members at a screening in New York City. Watch here: