Beyond Scared Straight is a reality television series that aired on
A&E from 2011 to 2015. The series follows troubled
teenagers who spend one to three days in
prison
A prison, also known as a jail, gaol (dated, standard English, Australian, and historically in Canada), penitentiary (American English and Canadian English), detention center (or detention centre outside the US), correction center, correc ...
to learn from the inmates about the realities of being incarcerated. The series was inspired by the 1978 American documentary
Scared Straight!. Both the police and the prisoners bully and harass the troubled teens in every episode.
In June 2015, the network announced the series will end after season 9 which concluded September 3, 2015.
Summary
Based on 1978 American documentary Scared Straight!, profile juvenile crime prevention programs in prisons across the United States. In each hourlong episode follows a handful of at-risk teenagers. Each episode begins with an interview of each teen discussing why they are always getting in trouble. Afterward, they meet up and enter the facility to go through the
booking process. They must remove
jewelry
Jewellery (British English, UK) or jewelry (American English, U.S.) consists of decorative items worn for personal adornment, such as brooches, ring (jewellery), rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. Jewellery may be at ...
, their
belts,
hats and
sunglasses if they wear them, and relinquish other personal possessions. In some episodes, the teens wear
the jumpsuits. They go to the cell blocks and see the reality behind bars. They interact with the inmates. Next, they eat the
prison meal. Then, they are put inside a cell. They meet up with the prisoners, telling their stories of how they ended up in jail. The teens will then interact with their parents through the
prison visitor telephone. Finally, when they leave, they get a second chance where get a follow-up a month later. The episode ends with the latest update. Some changed their ways while some didn't.
Episodes
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Season 9
Controversy
Criticism
Two
Department Of Justice officials argued that the program was “not only ineffective but is potentially harmful." The series has been criticized due to the teens being in jail for adults which were considered life threatening and dangerous, and that the show violated the federal
Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).
Related shows
* ''
The World's Strictest Parents''
* ''
The Principal's Office''
* ''Teen Trouble''
* ''Sleeping with the Family''
*
Scared Straight!
References
{{A&ENetwork Shows
2010s American reality television series
2011 American television series debuts
2015 American television series endings
A&E (TV network) original programming
English-language television shows
Television series about teenagers