Beyond Scared Straight

First of all, I've known MANY people who have been in and out of prison. Like, big prison with murders and the like. This TV show portrays angry criminals being VERY inappropriate to minors. Threatening to rape them and beat them up. But wait, isn't threatening illegal? Yes it is but the officers allow it to happen because of the "scare factor". If they kids re-offend they are going to regardless. It's very ineffective. However, it's entertaining to watch when bored.

Beyond Scared Straight is an outstanding show in which troubled teens are sent to jails around the country to see what its going to be like should they find themselves on the inside. Scare tactics are often used, but the effectiveness, while positive on most, falls far short for others. Frankly, I would love to see this program extended in such a manner that these kids REALLY get a taste of jail life. I think by picking these kids up in front of their friends by the local Sheriff's Departments upon exit from school on a Friday afternoon and dropping them back off to school on the following Monday morning just before the start of classes would be far more effective then giving them a half day experience going from one section of the jail to another. Today's kids are some of the most disrespectful ever, and with parents working longer and longer hours while trying to make a living like never before, many of these at risk kids are failing to receive the attention they need during the riskiest time of their lives. Today's kids roll their eyes, look the other way, bad mouth their parents and teachers like never before. They truly need a rude awakening. I think this can only be done in the most severe cases by letting them spend a full weekend in jail, where they should be treated as close to an inmate as possible while protecting them from injury.

Absolutely great show that helps kids realize what can happen to them. This show should be a mandatory school program for all schools. Just so that we nip them it in the bud. People who think this is too much are made of cheese and don't understand what this show is all about. But there is a way to make them see they just need to go through the same program

This show is a blatant excuse for a prison documentary. Of course, I get the idea that people have done things so awfully wrong, but going to jail for it is just crossing several lines.

People have become depressed, just because of this show. I'm one of the lucky few. It makes people more insecure about what they're doing and they're always going to say that they're going to get beaten and called names when they do the littlest thing wrong.

Policemen always see children and teenagers as adults in this show. Homosexuality and abuse is the result of it. It just makes me want to have a loaded gun next to the active television, and just shoot an officer.

Is there anything more I need to say about this aggravating and introverted show?

The program itself is Awesome, I only wish it was for a full month, to truly knock some sence into these delinquent children. These parents also need some sort of guidance on how to handle and deal with these "out of control" children. I for one would at the first sign of disobedience, lock their bedroom windows and doors, remove any mobile phone and computer. Unfortunately, these parents are not stepping up to plate in discipline... and while it's great to send these children for "in jail" experience and I hope they do change their life around. The parents should also be coached in some sort of Parenting Class, to learn HOW TO BETTER TEACH THEIR CHILDREN. All behavior stems from what the parent allows or does not allow... Teach the parents... children will follow what is taught.