Ep 6. St. Clair County, IL

Beyond Scared Straight is a show that follows the lives of troubled teens who have been sent to a jail or a prison where they interact with intimidating inmates to change their course of life. Season 4, episode 6 titled St. Clair County, IL, is an engaging episode that focuses on seven teens from the St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center who are sent to meet the convicts of Menard Correctional Center in hopes of changing their lives.

The episode starts with the introduction of seven teens who have been detained in the St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center. These troubled teenagers are sent to the Menard Correctional Center for a program called Scared Straight. The idea of the program is to send these teenagers to prisons where they meet convicted criminals and understand the harsh reality of life in jail. This program hopes to deter these youngsters from a life of crime and reduces the chance of them becoming a repeat offender.

During their stay at Menard Correctional Center, the teens come face to face with convicted murderers and robbers who have spent many years in prison. The teenagers are shown the realities of prison life that include solitary confinement, group fights, and the daily routine of the inmates. The inmates give the teenagers advice that comes from their own life experiences and warn them of the dangers of engaging in illegal activities.

In one of the most emotional moments of the episode, a woman convicted of murder speaks to the teenagers about her life in prison. She shares why she ended up in prison and implores the teenagers not to make the same mistake. The teenagers react with tears and astonishment, as they listen to her story of regret and remorse.

After this, the teens participate in a "cell extraction" drill with the prison's tactical team. The inmates who participate in the drill are put in their cells, and the teens are given a chance to try and extract them. This drill helps the teens see the importance of teamwork and strategy and gives them a glimpse of the life that awaits them if they choose to continue living a life of crime.

Along with the serious moments, there are also light-hearted moments that ease the tension of the episode. In one such moment, the teenagers meet an ex-convict who has achieved success after leaving prison. The man tells the teenagers about his life before, during, and after prison and encourages them to get their lives on track. He even performs a rap song that he wrote while in prison, which brings a smile to the teenagers' faces.

The episode concludes with the teenagers returning to the St. Clair County Juvenile Detention Center. The teenagers are interviewed about their experience in Menard Correctional Center and find that most of them have had a change of heart after meeting the inmates. They realize the importance of their freedom and understand that a life of crime is not worth giving up their freedom.

In conclusion, Beyond Scared Straight Season 4, Episode 6 titled St. Clair County, IL is an emotionally charged episode that showcases the reality of life in prison. The episode serves as an eye-opener for the teenagers and highlights the importance of making positive choices in life. The episode is a must-see for all teenagers who are struggling with their lives, and it provides them with a chance to learn from the mistakes of others.