Ep 4. Hampton Roads, VA: Jailhouse Rap

Beyond Scared Straight is a reality TV series that follows the lives of troubled teens who are given a taste of life behind bars through visits to correctional facilities, where they interact with inmates who have had a long history of incarceration. The seventh season of the show features episode 4 titled "Hampton Roads, VA: Jailhouse Rap."

In this episode, a group of teens from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, who have been caught up in various criminal activities ranging from theft to drug use, are given the opportunity to experience life inside a correctional facility. The group consists of young boys and girls who have lost their way and gotten involved in gangs, drugs, and violence, with little regard for the law or the consequences of their actions.

They are taken on a tour of the high-security Norfolk City Jail, where they are exposed to the harsh realities of prison life and come face to face with some of the most dangerous criminals in the state. The inmates they meet are not only serving long sentences for serious crimes but are also known for their gang affiliations and violent behaviour.

One of the highlights of the episode is when the teens are introduced to a group of inmates who use rap music to express their feelings and communicate their experiences behind bars. The inmates use their music to warn the teens about the dangers of getting involved in drugs and gangs and the harsh realities of life in prison.

During the visit, the teens also meet with a group of female inmates who describe the painful consequences of their past choices, and how they wish they had made different decisions. The girls are warned that they might end up like the inmates if they continue down the same path.

In an effort to scare the teens straight, the inmates show them what life in prison is like, including the routine of being locked up for up to 23 hours a day, while barely having any freedom or personal belongings. The inmates describe the cramped living spaces, the constant fear of violence, and the challenges of re-integrating into society after serving a sentence.

The episode ends with the teens being given a second chance to turn their lives around, with the hope that they will heed the warnings and learn from the experiences of the inmates. They are reminded that they can still choose a different path, and that it's never too late to make a change.

Overall, the "Hampton Roads, VA: Jailhouse Rap" episode of Beyond Scared Straight is an emotional and eye-opening look into the realities of life inside a correctional facility. It offers a stark warning to young people about the dangers of getting involved in criminal and gang-related activities, and the negative consequences that can result from these choices. The show is a powerful reminder that the choices we make in life have real consequences, and that it's never too late to turn things around and make a change for the better.