Ep 9. Western Tidewater Regional Jail, VA

Beyond Scared Straight is a reality television series that focuses on at-risk teenagers who are taken to prisons and jails to see firsthand what their future could look like if they continue down a path of crime. In season 2 episode 9, the focus is on Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Virginia.

The episode begins with a group of teenage boys sitting in a classroom, listening to a lecture from a corrections officer about the dangers of gang life. The boys are sullen and unresponsive, refusing to engage with the speaker. The officers leading the program are frustrated by their lack of participation and decide to take a more confrontational approach.

The boys are taken on a tour of the jail, where they are shown the living conditions for inmates. They see the cramped cells, the metal bunk beds, and the lack of privacy. They are also shown the common areas, such as the dining hall and the exercise yard, where inmates are often subjected to violence.

As the day progresses, the boys are introduced to some of the jail's most violent and dangerous inmates. They are forced to interact with the inmates, who are often intimidating and aggressive. The inmates shout insults and threats at the boys, trying to break their will and scare them straight.

The boys are then taken to the maximum-security section of the jail, where they are shown the consequences of violent behavior. They see inmates who are handcuffed to their beds, who have been beaten by other inmates, and who have no hope of ever being released. They are also shown the isolation cells, where inmates are locked up for 23 hours a day with no human contact.

Throughout the episode, the boys are given the chance to talk to the inmates and ask them questions. They learn about the toll that prison life can take on people, and they begin to realize that their actions have consequences. Some of the boys become emotional, crying and expressing regret for their past behavior.

In the end, the boys are taken back to the classroom, where they have a chance to reflect on their experiences. They are asked to write letters to their parents, expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Many of the boys seem genuinely transformed by the experience, and they vow to change their ways.

Overall, Beyond Scared Straight season 2 episode 9 is a powerful look at the reality of life behind bars. The Western Tidewater Regional Jail is a tough and unforgiving environment, and the boys who are taken there are given a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions. While the show has received criticism for its confrontational approach, many viewers believe that it is an important tool for preventing juvenile delinquency.