Ep 2. Western Tidewater, VA: Mother and Child Reunion

Beyond Scared Straight season 8 episode 2, titled "Western Tidewater, VA: Mother and Child Reunion," takes viewers to the Western Tidewater Regional Jail, where juvenile offenders get a dose of reality by spending a day locked up with adult inmates.

In this episode, we follow the story of four young men who have been sent to jail for various crimes. They are confronted by tough-talking inmates who show them what life behind bars is really like. The inmates intimidate the juveniles by shouting at them, getting in their faces, and pushing them around.

The first young man we meet is Kai, a 16-year-old who has been in and out of jail since he was 12. He's been arrested for assault, theft, and drug possession. Kai's mother, who is also in jail, comes to visit him during the program. She tells him that she doesn't want him to end up like her and urges him to turn his life around. Kai is emotional during the visit, and it seems like he might be taking her words to heart.

The next boy we meet is 15-year-old Isaiah, who has been arrested for burglary and gun possession. He's been to juvenile detention before, but this is his first time in jail. Isaiah is full of swagger when he first arrives, but it doesn't take long for him to realize that he's out of his depth. The inmates give him a hard time, and he's clearly scared.

We also meet 16-year-old Kevin, who has been incarcerated for breaking into cars. He's been to jail before but has never been to prison. Kevin has a tough guy exterior and tries to put on a brave face, but it's easy to see that he's nervous about what's in store for him.

Finally, we meet 15-year-old Tony, who has been sent to jail for possession of marijuana and a concealed weapon. Tony has never been in jail before and is clearly terrified. He cries during the program and seems genuinely shocked by the harsh reality of life behind bars.

This episode of Beyond Scared Straight is one of the more emotional ones, as we see the impact that the inmates' words and actions have on these young men. We also get to witness a touching moment between Kai and his mother, which shows that there is hope for these kids if they can turn their lives around.

Overall, "Western Tidewater, VA: Mother and Child Reunion" is a powerful episode that highlights the importance of programs like Scared Straight. It shows how a few hours in jail can make a lasting impression on young offenders and hopefully help them turn their lives around.