Beyond Scared Straight

Inmates at the Valley State Prison for Women use a combination of confrontation, information, and communication to try to keep five young girls from becoming convicts.

Five teens learn the harsh realities of prison life at the Maryland Correctional Institution at Jessup, where dozens of menacing inmates, including convicted murderers, surround the kids and taunt them. The teens include Steve, 17, who likes the "outlaw" life; Brandon, 17, who's been arrested five times; Dion, who admits to selling drugs; and Sahn, 13, who steals polo shirts because he's got a "passion for fashion.

Hardened criminals at the California prison that is home to Charles Manson give teens a taste of life on the yard, where any prisoner can approach the kids and give them a feel for the dangers of prison life. The teens include Stephen, 16, a violent youth who threatens his teachers; Josh and Armando, 16, twin brothers and gang members; Elijha, 15, a car thief; and Abraham, 16, who thinks that going to jail is no big deal.

In Charlotte, NC, teen troublemaker Jose goes head-to-head with terrifying inmates and Sgt. Garrett, one of the toughest female jail deputies Beyond Scared Straight has come across. When Jose refuses to follow an order, Sgt. Garrett makes it her mission to break him down.

Oakland County, Michigan is a stone's throw from Detroit's infamous 8-Mile and the streets here are just as tough - but the deputies and inmates who run Oakland County Jail's "Turn-Around" program are even tougher.

An at-risk teen, with dreams of a rap career, gets a wake-up call win he sees where his love of drugs and gang activity will lead, during a visit to the Portsmouth County Jail in Virginia.

In a city where your neighborhood defines your gang, four at-risk teen girls endure a day in a female jail and learn where their lives are headed. Though they walk into the jail together, the teens will turn on one of their own. Thalia, 15, is a frightening street brawler (she s even hit her own grandmother) who takes her fight to the inmates and deputies. When she refuses to taste jail food, the other teens force her. Jahmiya, 15, incurs the wrath of female inmates with thick Boston accents, when she uses a derogatory hand gesture. But it is Jahmiya, the scrappy thief, who leads the other female delinquents to gang up on Thalia, forcing her to take in parts of jail life no one should have to stomach. Pot-smoking Tina, 16, is shocked when deputies chain all the teens together.

In Jacksonville, Florida, four at-risk teens attend a three-part "scared straight" tour. Towering over nearly everyone, KeShawn, 15, is intimidated by no one. But when KeShawn witnesses his pint-sized little brother, Kevon, suffering the terrifying consequences of trying to imitate his big bro, KeShawn breaks down, and gets a glimpse of what the future holds for both of them. Also, Johnny, a white, self-proclaimed racist, endures the wrath of the black inmate population.

The Return of "Ice Mike" Troubled teens that attend the St. Clair County Jail diversion program take a lie detector test that reveals some shocking secrets. Inmates "Ice Mike" and "Hustle Man" return (from last season) to confront a BMX-riding stoner, a fearless gangster, a terrorizing bully, and Summer--a promiscuous under age girl who just doesn t say no to older boys--and her paralyzed mom can't stop her. Summer experiences the humiliation of jailhouse make-up and the surprising reaction Ice Mike has to her shameful behavior. Summer freaks out when she sees an inmate strapped into a restraint chair, and going wild. Pot-smoking Austin, 15, discovers an inmate who dipped his hands into boiling oil while high on drugs. Jeremy, 17, is tormented by inmates when they learn he assaulted his grandmother. An entire cell block descends on the four teens--and they have nowhere to hide.

Four troubled girls get a true taste of prison life during a stay at the Oneida County Correctional Facility.

A colorful deputy attempts to change the lives of four teenage troublemakers spending time at his Georgia jail.

A 14-year-old street brawler's defiant attitude surprises the deputies at a Virginia jail.

A stoner gets violent when inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, N.M., sully his girlfriend's honor; a 14-year-old "chick magnet" draws unwanted comparisons to a teen idol.

A once-violent, now submissive inmate hopes to make a difference in the lives of the new young offenders in his facility.

A young Oklahoma offender tries to escape during a jail visit; preteen toughs are forced to display their loyalty to their respective rival gangs; a teen arsonist gets burned by his actions.

In Virginia, chaos takes over and officers spring into action when aggressive sisters Quaja and Quona and their cousin Tay-Tay are told they will be staying in jail overnight.

Following the jail tour, the streets sadly takes the life of of a teen trying to head down a better path.

A 15-year-old's world shatters when he sees his tough older brother wearing prison garb; a stoner takes a second tour of jail; deputies put the pressure on a baby-faced bully and a 19-year-old thief.

A stint in jail tests the loyalty of two close-knit sisters; a teenage thief follows in the footsteps of his younger brother.

A larcenous teen uses a Taser on her enemies; cameras capture a young brawler's humiliating defeat; a loudmouth threatens to kill her teacher; a spoiled brat shoplifts and plays hooky.

A 14-year-old from San Bernardino, Calif., who hangs out with hang members spends a memorable day behind bars.

Violent sisters from Oklahoma City visit a prison in the Season 8 premiere.

A 14-year-old girl visits a prison in Virginia, where her mother is incarcerated.

An abusive 16-year-old rapper visits a prison in South Carolina.

A woman is forced to use pepper spray and a stun device on her aggressive 15-year-old son, who then gets an up-close look at life in Georgia's Fulton County Jail.

An unpredictable deputy at the Floyd County Sheriff's Office in Georgia bullies, coaxes and comforts to help create new futures for a carjacker, a shoplifting party girl, a violent fighter and a granny-robbing thief.

Portsmouth, Va.: Jail House Cookies