Ep 1. Fulton County, GA: Wasted Time

In season 9 episode 1 of Beyond Scared Straight, titled Fulton County, GA: Wasted Time, viewers get an inside look at the justice system’s approach to rehabilitating young offenders. The episode follows a group of at-risk youth from the state of Georgia as they are brought into the notorious Fulton County Jail, where they come face-to-face with the harsh realities of prison life.

The episode begins with introductions to the eight teenage participants, all of whom have been deemed as high-risk offenders by local law enforcement. The teens range in age from 14 to 17 and are from various backgrounds and ethnicities. They have landed themselves in trouble with the law due to offenses such as theft, drug use, and assault.

The teens are first taken on a tour of the jail. The correctional officers are unapologetic in their assessment of the potential for violence, drug use, and sexual assault in the jail. The inmates themselves are also vocal in their warnings to the teens. One inmate, who is serving a life sentence, is particularly vocal in his critique of the teens’ criminal activities, urging them to turn their lives around before it is too late.

The teens are then escorted to a cell block where they are locked up with actual inmates. The inmates quickly adopt an authoritative role and begin to drill the teens on the dangers of gang activity, drug use, and violence. However, some of the teenagers remain defiant and refuse to take the boot camp seriously. This behavior only serves to provoke the inmates, who become increasingly belligerent in their attempts to break down the teens’ tough exterior.

As the teens and inmates continue to clash, one inmate’s story serves as a cautionary tale for the group. The former gang member details how a life of crime led him down a path of destruction that ultimately landed him in prison and caused him to lose his family and friends. The message sinks in for some of the teenagers who begin to open up about their own experiences with drug use and other criminal activity.

The next day, the teens are taken to a different part of the prison where they meet with convicts who are serving long sentences. The inmates in this section of the jail offer a different approach to rehabilitation, urging the teenagers to change their lives before it’s too late. One former convict breaks down in tears, describing the heartbreak he caused his family and the guilt he carries for his crimes.

The episode ends on a hopeful note as the teenagers reflect on the lessons they learned during their time in the jail. Some are committed to turning their lives around, while others remain skeptical. It is clear that the experience has left an impression on all of them, providing a glimpse into the harsh realities of life behind bars.

Overall, Beyond Scared Straight season 9 episode 1, Fulton County, GA: Wasted Time, is a sobering look at the consequences of criminal behavior and the potential for rehabilitation. The episode is a reminder that there is hope for at-risk youth, but it requires a willingness to acknowledge the mistakes of the past and a commitment to change for the future.