Ep 2. Jacksonville, FL (Boys)

In Beyond Scared Straight season 3 episode 2, titled "Jacksonville, FL (Boys)," a group of teenage boys from Jacksonville, Florida are sent to jail for a day in the hopes of scaring them straight and preventing them from continuing down a path of delinquency.

The episode starts with introductions to each of the boys, revealing info about their behavior and previous offenses. One boy in particular, Jeremy, is known for being a troublemaker and has already been incarcerated multiple times. His mother is desperate for him to change his ways, so she's hoping that this experience will have an impact on him.

The boys are taken to a local jail where they meet the inmates who will be their mentors for the day. These inmates are all hardened criminals who have learned the hard way that jail is not a place they want to be. They're determined to make sure that these boys see the reality of prison life and do everything they can to keep them from ending up there.

The boys are first taken to "meet the judge," who is actually an actor playing the part. The judge lays down the law and tells the boys what they can expect if they continue with their current behaviors. He warns them about the seriousness of the crimes they've committed and tells them that if they don't straighten up, they'll be facing real consequences in the future.

Next, the boys are taken on a tour of the jail, seeing the different cells and meeting with inmates who share their stories of how they ended up in jail. These inmates are brutally honest about the harsh realities of prison life, from the violence to the lack of freedom.

Throughout the day, the inmates push the boys to their limits, forcing them to do push-ups and other exercises as a way to show them that they need to be in top physical condition if they ever find themselves in jail. They also verbally abuse the boys, using harsh language and intimidation tactics to make them uncomfortable and scared.

The boys are visibly shaken by the experience, many of them breaking down in tears at certain points throughout the day. But the inmates don't let up, reminding them constantly that this is exactly what they'll face if they continue their lives of crime.

Jeremy, in particular, has a difficult time with the experience. He's seen the inside of a jail before, but this time it's different. He's surrounded by men who have done serious time and have nothing to lose. He realizes that this could easily be his future if he doesn't change his ways.

At the end of the day, the boys are given a chance to reflect on what they've experienced. They're able to see the impact of their actions and the devastating consequences that can come from a life of crime. Many of them express their gratitude towards the inmates who were their mentors for the day, realizing that they were trying to help them and show them the error of their ways.

Overall, "Jacksonville, FL (Boys)" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early intervention for troubled youth. By showing them the harsh realities of the criminal justice system, these boys are given a chance to turn their lives around and make positive changes for their futures.