Ep 14. Portsmouth County, VA

Beyond Scared Straight season 3 episode 14, titled "Portsmouth County, VA," takes viewers to the city of Portsmouth in Virginia, where a group of at-risk teens are taken on a tour of the Portsmouth County Jail.

The episode begins with a briefing for the teens, who are warned that they will be spending a night in jail if they don't change their ways. The teens range in age from 13 to 17, and most of them have already been in trouble with the law. The tour of the jail is led by a group of inmates who have been chosen to participate in the "Scared Straight" program.

The tour is meant to be an eye-opening experience for the teens, who are shown the harsh realities of life behind bars. They see how inmates are stripped of their individuality, forced to wear uniforms and follow strict rules. They also witness the violence that can occur in jail, and hear stories of inmates who have been raped or killed.

Throughout the tour, the inmates try to scare the teens straight by telling them about their own experiences in jail. They share stories of how they ended up in jail, and warn the teens about the consequences of their actions. Some of the inmates try to take a more compassionate approach, telling the teens that they don't want them to end up like they did.

The teens' reactions to the tour vary, with some appearing genuinely frightened by what they have seen. Others remain defiant, refusing to listen to the inmates' warnings. One teen in particular, a young girl named Nae, struggles with her emotions throughout the tour. Nae has been in trouble with the law before, and her mother hopes that the Scared Straight program will help her turn her life around.

As the tour comes to an end, the teens are given a chance to talk to their families and reflect on what they have learned. Some of the teens express regret for their past actions and vow to make a change. Others remain stubborn, insisting that they don't believe they will end up in jail.

Ultimately, the episode serves as a wake-up call for both the teens and viewers at home. It highlights the harsh realities of life behind bars and the consequences of making poor choices. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of programs like Scared Straight, and whether they truly have the power to change a young person's life.