Beyond Scared Straight
Some of the toughest and most intimidating prisoners care about derailed, defiant and disrespectful teens that are headed down the wrong path – thus, Beyond Scared Straight was born.
Beyond Scared Straight, which was inspired by “Scared Straight,” a documentary film by Arnold Shapiro, follows at-risk-teens who have had constant run-ins with the law as they spend the day (and sometimes a night) in jail to be confronted by convicted felons in hopes of reforming them and scaring them from any activities that could land them in prison.
The teens are treated as inmates for a day in an attempt to physical and mental break them, which is forces them to face the harsh reality of jail: they eat prison food, are held in holding cells, and are forced to deal with inmates screaming in their faces.
Beyond Scared Straight can be very entertaining, but it is the way humanity of the prisoners and connection and hope for the teens, that makes this show an interesting on to watch.
As the inmates being to talk to the teens one on one, we are forced to see them as human, and you see that they care as well as can relate to the hurt and pain that most of the teens display. This presents a very interesting element of the show; the human connection extends and breaks down all barriers.
Furthermore, you find yourself caring about the teens and hoping that they change their ways at the end. And if they do, you hope that they pay it forward.
Beyond Scared Straight comes on A&E Thursday’s night at 9 PM.
If there is any other interesting elements to the show, please comment and point them out.