Ep 5. Chester, SC: The Harder They Fall

Beyond Scared Straight season 8 episode 5 takes us to Chester, SC, where a group of troubled teenagers are about to be scared straight at the Chester County Detention Center. The episode is named "The Harder They Fall" and it's clear from the beginning that these teens are in for a rough awakening.

The episode starts with the teens being brought into the detention center where they are greeted by inmates yelling and screaming at them. They are then brought to a cell where they are told to strip down and put on orange jumpsuits. This is just the beginning of what is a grueling day for these teens.

Throughout the episode, we see the teens interact with a variety of inmates, all of whom have their own stories to tell. Some are in jail for drug-related offenses, while others have committed more violent crimes. Regardless of their offense, each inmate is quick to tell the teens how terrible life in jail can be and how easily it can ruin their lives.

One standout moment in the episode comes when two of the teens are brought into a cell with an inmate who is several years older than them. The inmate, who has been in jail for most of his adult life, tells the teens that he wishes he had listened to the warnings he received as a teenager and stayed out of trouble. He tells them that the freedom they take for granted is something he would give anything to have back.

Throughout the episode, the confrontational nature of the program is evident. Inmates yell at the teens, pushing them to their limits both physically and emotionally. The goal is to get the teens to see the gravity of their actions and how easily they can end up in jail if they continue down the wrong path.

Aside from the confrontations, there are also moments of reflection. The teens are given the opportunity to talk to a counselor and reflect on what they have experienced throughout the day. This is an emotional moment as they account what they've learned about those who are incarcerated.

Another interesting aspect of the episode is the interaction between the inmates and the correctional officers. The inmates often speak very highly of the officers, thanking them for the work they do in trying to rehabilitate and educate them. There is a real sense of camaraderie between the two groups, despite the fact that they are on opposite sides of the bars.

Overall, it is clear that "The Harder They Fall" is one of the most intense episodes of Beyond Scared Straight to date. The confrontational nature of the program is at its height, and it is clear that the teens have been through an emotional journey by the end of it. While it remains to be seen whether or not the experience will make a lasting impact on their lives, there is no doubt that it will be one they will never forget.