Ep 8. Born Behind Bars
- January 1, 2019
- 40 min
In 24 to Life Season 2 Episode 8, titled "Born Behind Bars," viewers are taken inside the lives of two women who were both born while their mothers were incarcerated. The episode follows their stories as they navigate life on the outside while still dealing with the aftermath of their mothers' choices.
The first woman we meet is Jasmine. She was born while her mother was serving time for drug offenses. Jasmine grew up in the foster care system and struggled throughout her life with anger issues and an inability to form meaningful relationships. Now, as a young adult, she is determined to break the cycle of incarceration that has plagued her family for generations.
Jasmine's journey takes her back to the prison where her mother is serving her sentence. In an emotional reunion, Jasmine confronts her mother about the pain and trauma she experienced as a child. She also talks about the difficulty of trying to forge a new path for herself while still dealing with the damage that was done in the past.
The second woman we meet is Melina. She was also born while her mother was in prison, and spent the first six years of her life living with her in a cell. After her mother was released, Melina continued to struggle with the effects of her early years in captivity. She turned to drugs and ended up spending time behind bars herself.
Now, Melina is committed to staying clean and making a better life for herself. She has reconnected with her mother, who is now sober and working to support her daughter's recovery. Melina's biggest challenge is learning to trust others and opening herself up to the possibility of love and connection.
Through Jasmine and Melina's stories, "Born Behind Bars" highlights the tremendous impact that incarceration can have on families. It also sheds light on the difficulties that those who were born into prison or grew up with incarcerated parents face in trying to build a stable and successful life for themselves. The episode takes a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to the subject matter, allowing viewers to see the humanity and resilience of these two women as they navigate their way through a difficult and complex world.