Ep 8. Building The Case

In season 2 episode 8 of Behind Bars: Rookie Year titled “Building The Case,” viewers are taken through another day in the lives of the rookies and their field training officers (FTOs) as they work hard to build cases against the inmates in their respective prisons.

The episode begins with Officer Jaelin Luke and his FTO, Sergeant Norris, preparing for their day. Officer Luke is tasked with investigating an inmate who has allegedly been involved in multiple fights with other inmates. Sergeant Norris advises him to gather as much evidence as possible to build a solid case against the inmate. This involves interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and writing detailed reports.

Meanwhile, Officer Ariel Montez and her FTO, Corporal Reyna, have to deal with an inmate who refuses to leave his cell for his scheduled court appearance. The inmate argues with the officers, saying that he was not given proper notice of his court appearance and accusing the officers of trying to set him up. Corporal Reyna eventually convinces the inmate to leave his cell and go to court, but not before tensions run high.

Elsewhere in the prison, Officer Chaz Little and his FTO, Corporal Willis, are tasked with running a shakedown in one of the inmate housing units. This involves searching the cells and belongings of the inmates for contraband. Officer Little is new to this type of work, and Corporal Willis has to guide him through the process.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to see how the rookies handle the various challenges they face as they build their cases against the inmates. Some of them struggle with writing detailed reports, while others find it difficult to deal with defiant inmates. However, they all have one thing in common: a desire to do their job well and keep their fellow officers and inmates safe.

As the day comes to an end, the rookies reflect on what they’ve learned and the progress they’ve made. Officer Montez talks about the importance of staying calm and professional, even when dealing with difficult inmates. Officer Little talks about the importance of paying attention to detail when conducting searches. And Officer Luke talks about the importance of being thorough when gathering evidence.

Overall, “Building The Case” is an intense and informative episode that gives viewers a glimpse into the daily lives of the rookies and their FTOs. The episode is a testament to the hard work and dedication required to keep our prisons safe and secure. Viewers will be left wanting to see more of the rookies’ journeys as they continue to grow and learn under the guidance of their FTOs.