Ep 8. Oklahoma City, OK: "Uncle Inmate"

In season 7 episode 8 of Beyond Scared Straight, titled "Oklahoma City, OK: Uncle Inmate", viewers are taken on a journey through the lives of several at-risk teens who are on the cusp of being swallowed by a life of crime. The episode follows the teens as they are subjected to a rigorous boot camp at the Oklahoma County Jail, where they come face to face with hardened criminals who are serving time for their crimes.

This episode of Beyond Scared Straight emphasizes the important role that family plays in shaping a young person's life. The teens are all from broken families, and many have no positive role models to look up to. Interestingly, the boot camp is led by a group of inmates who have taken it upon themselves to turn their own lives around and prevent others from making the same mistakes they did.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this episode is the way the inmates are portrayed. They are presented as genuine, caring individuals who have made grave mistakes in their past. They tell harrowing stories of their own lives, describing how they got involved in crime and the hellish consequences that followed. The inmates truly seem to care about the teens, even going so far as to refer to themselves as "uncles" to the young men and women.

Throughout the episode, the teens are put through a series of intense exercises designed to break down their tough exterior and make them see the reality of life behind bars. They are subjected to verbal abuse and screamed at by the inmates, who pull no punches in trying to get through to them. The teens are also made to wear striped prison garb and are locked up in cells for several hours at a time, giving them a taste of what life is really like for those who break the law.

One of the standout moments of the episode comes when one of the female teens, who has been particularly troublesome throughout the boot camp, breaks down in tears after a particularly intense bout of yelling from the inmates. It's a moment that truly underscores the emotional weight of the entire experience and highlights the importance of the program in preventing young people from going down the wrong path.

As with all episodes of Beyond Scared Straight, "Oklahoma City, OK: Uncle Inmate" is a rollercoaster of emotions. There are moments of high drama and tension, as well as moments of heartbreaking revelation. Through it all, however, the message is clear: crime is a one-way ticket to a life of misery and pain, and it's up to each individual to make the right choices in life.

In summary, "Oklahoma City, OK: Uncle Inmate" is a powerful episode of Beyond Scared Straight that provides valuable insight into the lives of troubled teens and the role that incarceration can play in turning their lives around. With its emphasis on family and the importance of positive role models, the episode serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of a life of crime and the importance of making the right choices in life.