Beyond Scared Straight

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Season 1
  • Network: A&E
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 13, 2011
Season #: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
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Critic Reviews

  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Catherine Fuentes
    Jan 13, 2011
    91
    Maury Povich? Eat your heart out.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jan 13, 2011
    90
    If Beyond is deficient in any respect, it's in the minimal follow-up....Still, that amounts to a quibble regarding a series that, unlike most of what passes for "reality TV," feels truly authentic--and sobering.
  3. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jan 13, 2011
    83
    Arnold's Beyond Scared Straight hews to the premise of the original and proves to be just as gripping.
  5. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Jan 26, 2011
    67
    You see no skepticism in Beyond. No analysis. No thinking. Just a lot of truly scary people yelling at very young kids.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. xXAnthonyXx
    Feb 11, 2011
    10
    Love this. I'm not usally into these type of shows but, I was wrong. When I first saw it, I watched all the episodes aired so far and I don'tLove this. I'm not usally into these type of shows but, I was wrong. When I first saw it, I watched all the episodes aired so far and I don't regret it. I love this show.… Full Review »
  2. 30Cents
    Jul 10, 2015
    8
    Have you ever wondered what it is like being in a prison? This is a better question; have you ever wondered what it is like being in aHave you ever wondered what it is like being in a prison? This is a better question; have you ever wondered what it is like being in a prison...as a teenager? Well "Beyond Scared Straight" shows what it like being in a prison showing teenagers the other inmates and what they have done.

    The show starts off with stories about the teenagers what they have done to deserve being shown around in a real-life prison. The stories are all different, and so are the teenagers' age. The officers are then show the group of teenagers around the prison to show how horrifying and abysmal it is to be in one of them. The show then gets to its point almost right away after the stories are presented from the teenagers as they all head into a nightmare. The inmates all attempt to scare the teenagers to show them they really do not want to be there. Some of the episodes actually make the teenagers talk to the inmates to get more information out of them, the stores can range from them doing grand theft auto to murder. Depending on the episode, the teenagers are then asked to sit down and eat lunch, the food can range from disgusting to only appetizing. This is a prison after all, so they should not expect the food to be any good. Some episodes make the teenagers stay overnight in a cell with the other inmates, while others only take a daytime tour of the building. The teenagers are then taken back to their loved ones and explain what they have learned over the tour. Some of them say they have changes, while others could say they have not.

    Each episode is taken place in a different location, this a strong point in the show so it would not be boring. Most of the episodes are fun to watch, we get to learn more about the teenagers and the inmates as the show goes on until the end. The show is intense at times which goes with the mood of the episode you are watching.

    The show teaches other people how not to be like the people you see on the show and learn that it is bad to do wrongful things to other individuals. Many people will learn how bad going to a prison really is, the show gives an intense message to people who are doing bad things and learn that it is not good going to a prison.

    "Beyond Scared Straight" is one of the best shows on A&E. The show is very fun to watch no matter what episode it is. Almost every episode is enjoyable, you want to sit down in your seat and learn more about the teenagers and the inmates that are featured in each episode. A&E has come up with a great idea of showing what it is like in prison and showing how intense each of the prisons are.

    Great if you are looking for a documentary about prison.    … Full Review »
  3. andrewgarcia732
    Oct 25, 2013
    8
    In a world where teens are becoming more and more rebellious, the only way to reform them is to...scare them straight. Each one-hour episodeIn a world where teens are becoming more and more rebellious, the only way to reform them is to...scare them straight. Each one-hour episode "focuses on a different inmate-run program in the US, and follows four or five at-risk teens before they attend the program, throughout their day inside the prison, immediately afterwards, and then follows up with them one month later to see the lasting impact of the experience on their lives. I love this show, but I think the kids are not pushed hard enough; they need to teach them a lesson. While it certainly feels dramatized a bit, yelling at teens in their faces and bullying them seems to be quite an efficient method of reformation (although studies say otherwise). Entertaining, to say the least!

    If you liked this review, read my other ones on a wide selection of movies and TV shows and mark this review as helpful.    … Full Review »
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