Kids Behind Bars: Prison camp for children | Free Doc Bites | Free Documentary

Summary

A controversial program in Chester, South Carolina forces children, including 8-year-old Cottrell, to experience jail time as a punishment for bad behavior, like poor grades or rebellious actions. Parents voluntarily pay $75 for their children to be treated like real inmates, subjected to harsh conditions designed to push them to their limits. Through intense physical and emotional challenges, the children interact with real inmates, hoping to deter them from criminal paths. While some see it as a wake-up call, others question the effectiveness and ethics of such extreme measures.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video centers on a controversial program in Chester, South Carolina, where children are sent to jail for the weekend as a punishment for misbehavior or poor grades.
• 😀 The program, which began in 2012, involves children experiencing prison life firsthand, with strict rules, limited contact with parents, and exposure to real inmates.
• 😀 Parents voluntarily send their children to the program and pay $75 for them to undergo the harsh treatment as a deterrent to bad behavior or gang involvement.
• 😀 The children in the program are exposed to a tough environment with activities designed to push them both mentally and physically, mimicking real-life prison conditions.
• 😀 The children are forced to stay in cells, perform drills, and interact with real inmates, some of whom are in prison for serious crimes like murder.
• 😀 The program aims to show the children the harsh realities of prison life, with the hope that it will deter them from making poor life choices in the future.
• 😀 The parents of the children, such as Cottrell's mother Deandra and Noah's mother Courtney, have mixed feelings about the program, with some viewing it as an extreme measure to get their children back on track.
• 😀 The program's co-founder, Lieutenant Neil, and other officers involved have personal experiences with street gangs, which motivates them to help the children avoid the same path.
• 😀 Despite concerns, the program has shown positive outcomes, with only a small percentage of children (7 out of 750) having serious legal issues after participating.
• 😀 The children are given time to reflect on their experiences by writing letters to their parents, which serves as a means of personal growth and reflection on their behavior.

Q & A

Why are the children in jail even though they haven't committed any crimes?

The children are part of a controversial program where parents voluntarily send their children to spend the weekend in jail as a form of discipline, to teach them about the consequences of criminal behavior.

What is the purpose of sending children to jail for the weekend?

The purpose is to provide an extreme educational experience, pushing the children mentally and physically to help deter them from engaging in criminal behavior. It's intended to show them the harsh realities of prison life.

How are the children treated during the weekend in jail?

The children are treated like real offenders, with handcuffs, prison clothes, and harsh supervision. They are separated from their families, given strict orders, and forced to follow a regimen that includes physical and mental challenges.

What is the role of the parents in this program?

The parents voluntarily pay $75 to send their children to the program. They believe the experience will help discipline their kids and prevent them from going down the wrong path. They also witness the treatment of their children from behind thick glass during visits.

How do the officers justify the harsh treatment of children in the program?

The officers argue that the tough treatment is necessary to push the children to change their behavior. They believe it's better for the children to face these lessons now, rather than face even harsher consequences later in life.

What is the emotional impact of the program on the children?

The children experience a range of emotions, from confusion and fear to exhaustion. They are visibly shocked and distressed by the harsh environment and the lack of contact with their parents, but they also reflect on the experience afterward.

How do the children react to meeting real inmates?

Meeting real inmates, some of whom are serving sentences for serious crimes like murder, has a profound impact on the children. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of their actions and provides a real-world example of how life choices can lead to incarceration.

What does Deputy Boyd's involvement in the program suggest about its approach?

Deputy Boyd's involvement reflects the program's commitment to real-life experience. As a first-time participant, he emphasizes the importance of balancing the need for tough discipline with an understanding of the children's vulnerability.

What are some of the criticisms of this program?

Some critics argue that the program might traumatize children rather than reform them. The extreme nature of the program, which treats children like criminals despite their lack of criminal behavior, raises concerns about its long-term psychological effects.

How does the program track its success, and what results have been observed?

The program claims success based on the low number of children who reoffend after participating. Out of approximately 750 children, only 7 had serious legal issues afterward. However, the program's effectiveness is still a subject of debate, particularly regarding its emotional impact on the children.