Ep 5. Douglas County, GA

Beyond Scared Straight is a reality TV show that follows at-risk teens who are taken to visit different correctional facilities in the United States. The idea behind this program is to convince the teens to change their ways by showing them firsthand what life is like in jail.

In the seventh season, the show explores the impact of the program on the teens who participate, as well as the correctional officers and inmates who interact with them. Episode five of season seven takes place in Douglas County, GA, and follows a group of teenage girls who are brought to the county jail to learn about the consequences of their actions.

The episode starts with a brief explanation of the county jail and the types of crimes that can result in incarceration. The girls are then introduced to a group of inmates, who share their own experiences and explain how they ended up in jail. The girls are visibly shocked by the inmates' stories, but many of them also seem skeptical or resistant to the idea that they could end up in jail themselves.

Throughout the episode, the teens are shown various aspects of life in jail, including sleeping arrangements, meals, and disciplinary actions. They are forced to interact with inmates in different parts of the jail, and they witness firsthand the violence and aggression that can occur between inmates.

One particularly memorable scene involves one of the teens, who becomes very confrontational with an inmate. The inmate responds by yelling and cursing at her, which causes the teen to break down in tears. This scene highlights the tension and danger that can occur when teens are brought into a jail environment.

Another important aspect of the episode is the relationship between the correctional officers and the inmates. The officers are shown working hard to maintain control over the inmates and keep them from causing trouble, but they also express a sense of compassion for the inmates and a desire to help them turn their lives around. This conflict between control and empathy is one of the central themes of the show, and it is explored in depth in this episode.

Overall, Beyond Scared Straight season 7 episode 5 is a powerful and emotional look at life in a county jail. The teens are forced to confront the harsh realities of the criminal justice system, and they must grapple with their own choices and behaviors. The episode is a reminder that there are consequences to our actions, and that sometimes those consequences can be life-altering.