Ep 9. The Ones That Make It

In Behind Bars: Rookie Year season 2 episode 9 titled "The Ones That Make It," viewers are taken on a journey through the training and experiences of rookie corrections officers as they continue to navigate their first year working in a prison.

The episode begins with a look at the grueling training process that these rookies go through, including physical endurance tests and classroom instruction on various aspects of prison life. Throughout this training, many of the rookies struggle and doubt their ability to make it through to graduation. However, with the support of their fellow recruits and their trainers, they are able to push through and emerge with the skills they need to succeed in their jobs.

Once the training is completed, the episode shifts to focus on the daily life of these rookie officers as they begin working in the prison. Viewers see the rookies as they start to build relationships with the inmates under their watch, learning to manage conflicts and maintain order within the prison walls.

One of the key moments of the episode comes when viewers are introduced to an inmate who has been in the system for over a decade and is serving a life sentence. The inmate, who has become something of a mentor to some of the rookies, shares his perspective on life within the prison and the importance of maintaining a sense of hope and purpose in spite of their circumstances.

Throughout the episode, viewers are also introduced to various other inmates and officers who help to flesh out the complex ecosystem of life within the prison. From gang leaders to mentally ill inmates to veteran officers who have seen it all, this episode provides a glimpse into the many different personalities and dynamics at play within a correctional facility.

As the episode draws to a close, viewers are left with a sense of the many challenges and rewards that come with working as a rookie corrections officer. For those who are able to persevere and make it through their first year, the rewards are immense: the ability to affect positive change within the prison system, the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with inmates, and the satisfaction of knowing that they are doing a difficult but vital job.

All in all, "The Ones That Make It" is an immersive and thought-provoking episode that offers a rare look into the world of prisons and the people who work within them. With its focus on the experiences of rookie officers, the episode provides a fresh perspective on a complex and often misunderstood profession.