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The comments published on this page reflect the balance of views we received.

Superb documentary, nobody does it better than the Beeb. The US is a great country but they sure get a lot of things badly wrong when subjected to closer scrutiny.
Willie McLanachan, Strathaven

Well done BBC for showing another very moving programme. The pictures showing the effects of Katrina took me back to that time, the chaos and the pleas of ordinary people for help. The people of New Orleans thought they had been abandoned. This programme proved how right they were.
Judy Rogers, Edinburgh

Truly amazing documentary... superb! Was this really the US we were watching here? What kind of "superpower" would treat its people in that way?
Andy, Hamilton

I have never been so affected by a documentary. God Bless America (you need it).
Matthew Gordon, Wolverhampton

Congratulations on a well made documentary showing a side of the US we don't often see. Documentaries that put human faces to a disaster are always thought-provoking.
Alison Head, Leighton Buzzard

Prisoners Of Katrina was brilliant. So very informative and interesting. Keep up the good work. People need to hear these stories.
Peter B, N Ireland

Thank you so much for this evening's documentary. It provided a valuable insight into the situation in the New Orleans prison system. It has exposed the judicial system for what it really is, and the huge mistakes that have been accepted as the norm. This programme is the first piece of intellectual viewing I have seen for a long time and is surely a far cry from reality TV shows. Please continue to show quality programmes such as this, which has prompted me to contact a broadcaster for the first time.
Sybil John, Woolwich

That was the most interesting documentary I've ever seen. I can't get over what I just watched. Well done - I'm sure you have changed thousands of peoples' views on the legal system.
Callum, Sheffield

Having just watched Prisoners of Katrina I am horrified to see the way in which these men have been treated. Surely the president of the US can intervene on their behalf. If he doesn't, then he should be ashamed of himself. The government could, and should, help these men.
Peggy Gadsby, Cornwall

What is the matter with you people? Yet another programme ruined by intrusive "background" music. Why this obsession with constant sawing cellos, which overpower the narration and contributors' comments? Let the pictures and narrative speak for themselves... we don't need this patronising and superfluous mood prompting.
Jonathan Baddiel, Manchester

I know they had no contingency plans for flooding, but they showed total ignorance when the flooding actually came. Katrina destroyed the justice system (which was already in tatters) in a few hours. Now many innocent people are in jail. I hope they will learn lessons from this.
Sagat, Leeds

An excellent programme. Every single American should hang their head in shame. They are quick enough to protest about injustice and violence in Third World countries, but they are far worse as they are supposed to be civilised.
Sue Taylor, Cheltenham

Although I felt something for the plight of the prisoners, New Orleans did not even have a plan for the ordinary people of the city. Vulnerable groups like women and children, the sick, the elderly all suffered the same fate. Surely they should come first.
Melanie Peterson, Hull

This programme was one of the best I've seen for a long time. It's really depressing to hear what you already suspected being confirmed. I'm so, so glad that the BBC exists and continues to broadcast this stuff. Treble the licence fee and it would still be a bargain.
Winston, Wales

I think this is despicable and I am truly disgusted by what I just watched. I never realised that a superpower such as the US could be so disorganised.
Matthew Rodwell, Bristol

An excellent programme. I only hope it will be broadcast here in the US. It amazes me that Sheriff Gusman was re-elected.
Pamela Stine, US

The land of the free? The land of extremes would be a better label.
Nick Brown, Guildford

The kind of journalism that makes us all want to be great journalists. An amazing story, told so well and a subject so worth covering. The sort of thing that the BBC should strive for, time and time again. Brilliant, fascinating, shocking, well-researched, thought-provoking - and - not a bad thing this: entertaining.
James Wallman, London

Are the prisoners that were locked up for longer than they were supposed to be, or locked up without charge, able to sue the government? Is anyone able to help them? Seems like someone should.
Richard Hoyes, Southampton

Just curious... you list some great shows on BBC 2 like the stories on Katrina. Why can't we get that type of quality broadcast here in the States on BBC America rather then endless home improvement shows or Benny Hill re-runs?
Cathy Cooper, US