Parents' Guide to

Beyond Scared Straight

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Prison docuseries offers teens a tough reality check.

TV A&E Reality TV 2011
Beyond Scared Straight Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Onika14
Onika14 Adult
September 8, 2020
age 12+

Watch season 9 episode 9

The world needs to watch episode 9 on season 9. During the with that girl it is actually the cop who pushes the girl. The cops hand is on the prisoners right shoulder then pushes the with his own right hand. It's sad that police or show would allow that. Horrible people in Saint clair Illinois!!!!!!!! I hope the world looks down apon them forever.
Joshua H.
Joshua H. Adult
November 10, 2017
age 11+

Beyond Scared Straight

I mean this is a really good show it does have a little bit inappropriate stuff a little bit of curse words and a little bit of sex and all the other kind of stuff it's not that bad I mean if you don't agree it would be like 14 and older but if your kids really want to watch it now responsible enough probably 11 and older 11 year olders my opinion 11 older is my opinion

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BEYOND SCARED STRAIGHT, a documentary series inspired by the award-winning film Scared Straight, follows troubled tweens and teens as they participate in intensive inmate-run intervention programs designed to keep them from ending up in prison. Cameras roll as teens spend a day at a maximum-security penitentiary, where they are confronted by hardened inmates, spend time in cells, and talk to convicts about the negative choices teens are making and where those choices will take them. At the end of each episode, viewers learn whether the experience has had a lasting and positive impact on the teenagers' lives.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (17 ):

The series offers viewers a chance to see how inmate-run Scared Straight! programs from around the country use confrontation, information, and communication strategies to give adolescents a harsh reality check about what the real consequences will be if they continue to engage in behaviors like doing drugs, fighting, stealing, and other inappropriate and/or criminal activities. It also shows how even people behind bars can give back to their community.



The tough talking and unapologetically threatening behavior, violent images, and candid discussions about criminal activity featured here may be hard to take in, but it is offered within a very specific context. In the end, it shows how a disturbing but educational experience is being used in an attempt to change the lives of young people for the better.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the Scared Straight! Program. Do you think programs like these really help kids make better choices? Why do you think inmates participate in these programs?

  • Documentaries often deal with difficult topics and inappropriate behaviors. Is offering details about things like underage drinking, violence, and drug use always necessary to make a point? Are there alternatives? If so, what are they?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: January 13, 2011
  • Network: A&E
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-14
  • Last updated: March 2, 2022

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