Beyond Scared Straight

Beyond Scared Straight
Inspired by	Scared Straight!
No. of seasons	9
No. of episodes	83
Original release
Network	A&E
Release	January 13, 2011 (2011-01-13) – September 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)
Related
Scared Straight!

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 or jail to learn from the inmates about the realities of being incarcerated. The series was inspired by the 1978 American documentary Scared Straight!.

In June 2015, the network announced the series would end after season 9, which concluded September 3, 2015.

Summary

Based on the 1978 American documentary Scared Straight!, this series highlights juvenile crime prevention programs in prisons and jails throughout the United States. Each hour-long episode focuses on several at-risk teenagers. Throughout the series, these teens face intense confrontations from both law enforcement and inmates.

Each episode starts with individual interviews, where the teens discuss the reasons behind their habitual misconduct. Following this, they undergo the booking process, which includes removing jewelry, belts, hats, sunglasses, and other personal items. In certain episodes, the teens are required to wear prison jumpsuits.

They then experience life inside prison: visiting cell blocks, interacting with inmates, and eating prison meals. They also hear firsthand stories from inmates about their journeys to incarceration. An emotional segment lets the teens communicate with their parents via the prison visitor telephone system.

The episode concludes with a one-month follow-up, providing viewers with updates on the teens' paths. Some have managed to turn their lives around, while others remain on a troubled course.

Episodes

Season	Episodes		Originally aired
			First aired	Last aired
1	7		January 13, 2011 (2011-01-13)	March 3, 2011 (2011-03-03)
2	12		August 18, 2011 (2011-08-18)	January 19, 2012 (2012-01-19)
3	17		August 20, 2012 (2012-08-20)	February 7, 2013 (2013-02-07)
4	9		May 30, 2013 (2013-05-30)	August 1, 2013 (2013-08-01)
5	8		October 3, 2013 (2013-10-03)	November 21, 2013 (2013-11-21)
6	8		February 28, 2014 (2014-02-28)	April 24, 2014 (2014-04-24)
7	6		June 26, 2014 (2014-06-26)	July 31, 2014 (2014-07-31)
8	5		December 4, 2014 (2014-12-04)	December 18, 2014 (2014-12-18)
9	11		June 25, 2015 (2015-06-25)	September 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)

Season 1 (2011)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Chowchilla"	January 13, 2011 (2011-01-13)	103
At the Valley State Prison, the female prisoners intimidate five girls who behind bars. The teens are confronted by aggressive murderers and threatened with a weekend stay.
2	"Jessup"	January 20, 2011 (2011-01-20)	100
At the Maryland Correctional Institution, inmates including convicted murderers teaches these five teens the deadly, brutal, and unfair realities of prison life. During the tour, a teen snitches on a prisoner causing the priosner to lunge to at the teen forcing guards to subdue him.
3	"Corcoran"	January 27, 2011 (2011-01-27)	102
At the California prison which is home to Charles Manson, the teens learn life in the prison yard and the dangers of it.
4	"Leiber"	February 3, 2011 (2011-02-03)	101
Six teens visit the Lieber Correctional Facility in South Carolina.
5	"San Quentin"	February 10, 2011 (2011-02-10)	104
A group of boys goes inside one of the nation’s most infamous prisons. They are taunted by cellblocks of inmates and even stand outside the death row area.
6	"Hagerstown"	February 24, 2011 (2011-02-24)	105
At a Maryland prison, the inmates give the teens a taste of reality in prison by showing them the “Lock-up Loaf,” a brick of baked mush served to unruly prisoners.
7	"Jessup Women's Prison"	March 3, 2011 (2011-03-03)	106
At the Maryland Correctional Institution, four shoplifting friends have the opportunity to learn the tough life of prison. The visit reaches it's greatest emotional impact when one girl bravely reveals a dark secret.

Season 2 (2011–12)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Mecklenburg County, NC"	August 18, 2011 (2011-08-18)	205
At the Mecklenburg County Jail's Reality Check Program, troublesome teens meet frightening deputies and inmates. A 15-year-old wannabe gangster vows to be the toughest kid but he's met his match with Sgt Garrett, one of Beyond Scared Straight's most toughest deputies .
2	"Oakland County, MI"	August 25, 2011 (2011-08-25)	201
A jail near Detroit offer a rehabilitation program for teens. They walk through crowded and noisy cellblocks full of wild inmates and have their parents tour the facility with the teens, suddenly, a SWAT extraction takes place. A teen is kicked off the tour due to bad behavior.
3	"Portsmouth County, VA"	September 1, 2011 (2011-09-01)	203
Violent teenagers in Virginia are sent to a jail. During their stay, one gets into a shouting match with an inmate, another is dragged into a cell after insulting an inmate. one of the teenagers is brought back for an extra day of cleaning.
4	""Oklahoma County, OK""	September 8, 2011 (2011-09-08)	206
Five teens including two sets of sisters from Oklahoma City who are falling into the gang life experience a Scared Straight program. When a 13-year-old is pushed to her breaking point she physically assaults a deputy, almost getting herself incarcerated.
5	"San Bernardino County, CA - Boys"	September 15, 2011 (2011-09-15)	204
San Bernardino deputies attempt to deter a group of at-risk boys by putting them through a day of incarceration but it's ineffective so they visit the morgue.
6	"Richland County, SC"	December 8, 2011 (2011-12-08)	202
Young troublemakers experience a terrifying all-night stay program at the Richland County Courthouse Jail's parking lot. They are forced to exercise with no breaks then are sent to cells to rest for two hours and then are suddenly roused from their cells by deputies.
7	"St. Clair County, IL"	December 15, 2011 (2011-12-15)	208
Defiant and out-of-control teenagers go into a jail outside of East St. Louis where they are screamed at and threatened by inmates and mobbed by a pod of inmates. The terror follows them outside when a parole murderer suddenly confronts them all.
8	"San Bernardino County, CA - Girls"	December 22, 2011 (2011-12-22)	207
Teenage girls from Los Angeles are sent to a California jail. A 17-year-old gang member causes trouble while incarcerated, a girl who talks to older men and engages in sexual activity abruptly throws up during her stay.
9	"Western Tidewater Regional Jail, VA"	December 29, 2011 (2011-12-29)	211
Drug using siblings visit a notorious Virginia jail and see the deadly realities of behind bars. One of them are snatched up into a closet by an inmate and threatened, the other one learns that good looks get you nowhere inside.
10	"Queen Anne's County, MD"	January 5, 2012 (2012-01-05)	210
The troubled teens witness a four-day program, they visit a hospital, funeral home, and a go through a mock trial which causes a couple to turn on each other. A promiscuous 15-year-old fails to earn her certificate due to her attitude.
11	"Oakland County, MI - Girls"	January 12, 2012 (2012-01-12)	209
A trio of girls visit a jail in Detroit where they are forced to scrub cells. A girl who assaulted her grandparents finds herself mobbed by angry female inmates.
12	"Hampton Roads Regional Jail, VA"	January 19, 2012 (2012-01-19)	212
Six teenage boys tour the most populous jail in Virginia. One of the boys has a mother who works at the facility

Season 3 (2012–13)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Boston, MA (Girls)"	August 20, 2012 (2012-08-20)	302
Four girls endure a day in jail where they are berated by women with thick Boston accents; During their stay one of the girls turn everyone against another girl, forcing her to eat prison meat.
2	"Jacksonville, FL (Boys)"	August 27, 2012 (2012-08-27)	305
Seven boys attends a three part "scared straight" tour. A boy who has been charged with Domestic Violence Against Mom and sets a poor example for his younger brother feels the weight of his actions at the morgue. A racist teen endures the wrath of the black inmate population.
3	"St. Clair, IL: The Return of "Ice Mike""	October 4, 2012 (2012-10-04)	304
Illinois inmate 'Ice Mike' returns to participate in a teen talk; he confronts six teenagers which include a promiscuous girl who takes advantage of paralyzed mother,and a teenage boy who hitchhiked from Minnesota to East St. Louis to live the gangster life. Things reach fever pitch when the teens see an inmate strapped into a restraint chair, and going wild.
4	"Hudson County, NJ"	October 11, 2012 (2012-10-11)	213
Boys go inside of one of the toughest jail in New Jersey. During one boys incarceration, he has a heartwarming reunion with his father.
5	"Oklahoma City, OK: The Return of Tiny"	October 18, 2012 (2012-10-18)	214
Inmate 'Tiny' returns to participate in a scared straight tour, she particularly confronts two gang affiliated teens. One teen claims Bloods and dosen't fear death another claims Crip but when they tour they go face-to-face with gang affiliated criminals fear claims them. In a final, emotionally haunting scene, the teens must confront their parents in a visitation room.
6	"San Bernardino, CA"	October 25, 2012 (2012-10-25)	301
A group of at-risk boys are sent to San Bernardino's Youth Intervention Program. After a visit to the morgue, one teen breaks down. A deputy makes a life changing offer to another a teen.
7	"Lake County, FL"	November 1, 2012 (2012-11-01)	216
Floridian teenagers visit a Detention Center.
8	"Fulton County, GA"	November 8, 2012 (2012-11-08)	215
Teens go into one of the worst Jails in the southeastern U.S.
9	"Hampton Roads, VA"	November 15, 2012 (2012-11-15)	306
Inmate 'Nasty Nard' from Season 2 returns to confront the teenage tourists forcing officers to intervene. When Nasty Nard goes face to face with one tourist, things get physical forcing office
10	"Richland County, SC"	December 20, 2012 (2012-12-20)	311
A mother of 3 troubled teens from Dallas, Texas drives 1,000 miles to Richland County, South Carolina to enter them in the overnight program.
11	"Oneida County, NY"	December 27, 2012 (2012-12-27)	309
A trio of aggressive thieves are admitted to a New York jail. In the lunchroom, one of them tries to pull a prank, officers spring into action and strap the teen up in a restraint chair, another has reunion with his uncle . An explosive bully is cuffed before he enters the jail.
12	"Oklahoma County, OK"	January 3, 2013 (2013-01-03)	316
A party girl thinks that Beyond Scared Straight is staged but when she arrives at the program she is surprised by hardened criminals directing her every move. A wannabe ghetto girl's act is put to the test when three kidnappers team up against her.
13	"Floyd County, GA"	January 10, 2013 (2013-01-10)	313
Five violent boys are sent to a scared straight program in Georgia where they are confronted by Deputy Lyle who has a unique way of dealing with teens. During the program, the teens are left in a pod full of aggressive inmates.
14	"Portsmouth County, VA"	January 17, 2013 (2013-01-17)	307
A teenage rapper sees where his love of drugs and gang activity will land him. An argumentative teen is threatened with extended time.
15	"Western Tidewater, VA"	January 24, 2013 (2013-01-24)	310
An aggressive girl who is spending time at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail believes she is protected because her older cousin is locked up at the same jail. Officers have added a new policy to their program he teens now have to convince their parents to let them go home for the weekend. If the parents disapprove of the child's plea; the child is staying for the weekend.
16	"Suffolk County, MA (Boys)"	January 31, 2013 (2013-01-31)	303
Teens from the streets of Boston are put in jail and face rival gang members. When three inmates corner a teen, he lashes out.
17	"Follow-Up Special"	February 7, 2013 (2013-02-07)	406
This follow up special goes back on the last few seasons to see if the teens turned their life around.

Season 4 (2013)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Oneida, NY"	May 30, 2013 (2013-05-30)	403
For a quartet of reckless girls a battle rages at home. But they learn that bringing that fight to jail can start a war they can't survive
2	"Deputy Lyle Returns"	June 6, 2013 (2013-06-06)	406
Deputy Lyle returns to change the lives of four teenage troublemakers spending time at Floyd County Jail.
3	"Big and Bad"	June 13, 2013 (2013-06-13)	404
An out-of-control and angry girl thinks she's unstoppable. She has met her match in the deputies and inmates.
4	"Lake County, FL"	June 27, 2013 (2013-06-27)	401
Two at risk sibling are shipped off to a Florida jail. During their stay, the younger sibling becomes terrified and has a panic attack and the older one refuses to provide any comfort.
5	"Oakland County, MI"	July 11, 2013 (2013-07-11)	308
Three boys who have no regard for their parents are sent to tour the Oakland County Jail. An explosive teen who abuses his adoptive parents has met his match with deputies.
6	"St. Clair County, IL"	July 18, 2013 (2013-07-18)	314
Ferocious killer Hustle Man is dragged away by multiple officers after trying to attack a gangbanging teen who refused to comb another inmates chest hair. A cheerleader who is falling into her mom's footsteps bursts into tears during visitation remembering the traumatizing memories of talking to her mother behind glass walls.
7	"Douglas County, GA"	July 25, 2013 (2013-07-25)	402
Two gang-affiliated sisters proudly admit their gang membership to deputies. But during visitation when their mother breaks down sobbing, their eyes are opened to the pain that they've caused
8	"Girls Fight Back"	August 1, 2013 (2013-08-01)	312
A gang member who's at risk of getting killed and a girl who inappropriate pictures of herself online learn that their reputations on the streets make them targets in jail.
9	"Truth or Consequences"	August 1, 2013 (2013-08-01)	405
During a physically exhausting all-night stay in jail a habitual liar, confounds deputies by excelling at every exercise despite having a broken arm.

Season 5 (2013)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Dance, Bieber, Dance"	October 3, 2013 (2013-10-03)	413
At the Youth Awareness Tour in Albuquerque a 17-year-old stoner loses his temper when a mob a snarling inmates insult his girlfriend. A pot-smoking boy who resembles idol Justin Bieber is surrounded by inmates who taunt him chanting "Dance Bieber Dance". Two brothers with a history of gang activity are separated.
2	"Snitches Get Stitches"	October 10, 2013 (2013-10-10)	TBA
Toby who previously appeared on Season 3; Episode 13 as a violent teen is now a submissive inmate locked up at the Floyd County Jail for assault trying desperately to warn the other teens.
3	"Insane and Chaos"	October 17, 2013 (2013-10-17)	TBA
During a scared straight program in Oklahoma, a fighter becomes angry and tries to escape from the program forcing officers to spring into action.
4	"Outside and Inside"	October 24, 2013 (2013-10-24)	TBA
Three rebellious teens experience a four-day program. A alcohol drinking girl sobs after visiting a funeral home. A teenage gambler's freedom is threatened in the courtroom by a unexpected witness. Treszura from Season 2 Episode 10 finally receives he certificate.
5	"Fulton County, GA"	October 31, 2013 (2013-10-31)	TBA
Two at-risk teenage brothers act out during their tour of the Fulton County Jail. When they try to misbehave in the courtroom, one is led away in cuffs.
6	"Charlotte County, FL"	November 7, 2013 (2013-11-07)	TBA
A football player's addiction to drugs are blocking him from achieving his goals. A large boy who has assaulted his father meets his match in a deputy twice his size.
7	"St. Clair, IL"	November 14, 2013 (2013-11-14)	TBA
During a scared straight tour in Illinois, a teen goes missing in a pod full of inmates while deputies and his loyal street-tough brother try to find him.
8	"Dougherty County, GA"	November 21, 2013 (2013-11-21)	TBA
A 15-year-old with a history of crime wears a homemade T-shirt that says "Scared Beyond Straight" in order to mock Georgia deputies efforts to scare him straight.

Season 6 (2014)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Family Ties"	February 28, 2014 (2014-02-28)	601
Aggresive teenage sisters and their out-of control cousin are sent to the Western Tidewater Regional Jail, but during visitation when they told they'll be staying for the weekend officer have to spring into action. A teen fighter makes a run for it only to be thrown into a cell with the imposing inmate she was trying to escape.
2	"A Family's Loss"	March 7, 2014 (2014-03-07)	603
A 14-year-old fighter takes a life-changing tour of the Douglas County Jail, he older brother is murdered.
3	"Roundtree Circle"	March 14, 2014 (2014-03-14)	607
Deputies of the Chester County Detention Center have organized an overnight program for at-risk teens. During his stay, a teenage gangbanger who is apart of Roundtree Circle breaks down in devastation after seeing his brother as an inmate.
4	"Precious Time"	March 21, 2014 (2014-03-21)	606
A 19-year-old sophomore is sent to an Illinois jail. His attitude manages to aggravate officers and inmates, but when he says the wrong thing to one inmate, he finds himself in the center of a screaming mob.
5	"Without My Daddy"	April 3, 2014 (2014-04-03)	602
Two violent sisters who recently lost their father are sent to the Portsmouth City Jail in order to get back on track. Drama ensues as both girls refuse to comply with deputies and try defend each other. This resistance ends when female inmates force the two of them to see the source of their rage.
6	"Teen Father?"	April 10, 2014 (2014-04-10)	605
Two brothers and a sister are on a rampage of crime around their neighborhood but when they attend a scared straight tour they are split apart. Another teen reveals to mother that he might be having a kid.
7	"Song for Sandals"	April 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)	609
A young criminal believes he's the smartest but when he is shipped off to the Dougherty County Jail, he is humbled by inmates and officers as they test his knowledge of jailhouse survival. A boy gets his sandals taken by inmates and the only way he could get them back is singing a song.
8	"My Father the Inmate"	April 24, 2014 (2014-04-24)	604
A 17-year-old enjoys stealing cars but during his tour of the Fulton County Jail, when he catches a glimpse of his stepfather, the fun is over.

Season 7 (2014)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Bunk and Junk"	June 26, 2014 (2014-06-26)	TBA
Two at-risk sisters who claim to "Have eachother's back", Betray each-other in the St Clair County Jail.
2	"Chester County, SC: Girls"	July 3, 2014 (2014-07-03)	TBA
Five violent girls experience an all-night stay in jail
3	"Hold on Turbo"	July 10, 2014 (2014-07-10)	TBA
A 14-year-old named Angel brings the devil out in him.
4	"Jailhouse Rap"	July 17, 2014 (2014-07-17)	TBA
One kid encounters a family member in jail
5	"Judgement Day"	July 24, 2014 (2014-07-24)	TBA
A 16-year-old's habit of lying may keep him locked up when judges and deputies catch him in a lie.
6	"Blood Orange"	July 31, 2014 (2014-07-31)	TBA
A 13-year-old boy who claims "Bloods" is bullied at the Fulton County Jail.

Season 8 (2014)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Tears of a Clown"	December 4, 2014 (2014-12-04)	TBA
Two sisters who emulate the violent lyrics of Insane Clown Posse get a rude-awakening.
2	"Mother and Child Reunion"	December 11, 2014 (2014-12-11)	TBA
A 14-year-old stoner has an emotional reunion with her mother
3	"History of Violence"	December 11, 2014 (2014-12-11)	TBA
An aggressive teen has met her match with inmates.
4	"Facing Foxxxxy"	December 18, 2014 (2014-12-18)	TBA
A gay teen meets a transgender inmate.
5	"The Harder They Fall"	December 18, 2014 (2014-12-18)	TBA
A towering, abusive rapper from South Carolina is physically confronted.

Season 9 (2015)

No.	Title	Original air date	Prod. code
1	"Wasted Time"	June 25, 2015 (2015-06-25)	TBA
An aggressive 15-year-old gets a taste of his own medicine.
2	"Dep. Lyle Lays Down the Law"	July 2, 2015 (2015-07-02)	TBA
Deputy Lyle is back again; this time he toughens up with four inmates.
3	"Jail House Cookies"	July 9, 2015 (2015-07-09)	TBA
16-year-old attempts to challenge the officers and inmates.
4	"Cornflake, Sandbag & Frozen"	July 16, 2015 (2015-07-16)	TBA
A tough young adult experiences the danger she put herself when visits jail.
5	"Weekend Worriers"	July 23, 2015 (2015-07-23)	TBA
Two troubled brothers are shocked to learn that they may have to spend a day in jail.
6	"Concrete & Steel"	July 30, 2015 (2015-07-30)	TBA
A 16-year-old refuses to back down towards the inmates and deputies.
7	"Final Jeopardy"	August 6, 2015 (2015-08-06)	TBA
A violent teen gets a taste of his own medicine.
8	"Uncle Inmate"	August 13, 2015 (2015-08-13)	TBA
Two sisters think they're tough enough to retaliate in jail until they discovered that their uncle is behind bars.
9	"Lexi's Lockup Lash-Out"	August 20, 2015 (2015-08-20)	TBA
A spoiled and rebellious 15-year-old girl fights back with the mob of inmates.
10	"Buttoning Buttons"	August 27, 2015 (2015-08-27)	TBA
An angry teen meets a deputy who helps change her life from her tragic backstory.
11	"Lights Out!"	September 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)	TBA
This special looks back on the series on how it reached out to more than 550 troubled teens.

Controversy

Criticism

Two Department Of Justice officials argued that the program was “not only ineffective but is potentially harmful." The program helps teens by scaring them straight through a lousy concept. 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!