Voices from inside

"Recent statistics reveal that over 91,831 juvenile offenders (teens who had been adjudicated juvenile delinquents for committing acts that would be crimes if they were adults) are being held in some sort of residential facility (public, state or local) each year. Of that number 33,000 had committed offenses against persons (homicide, assault, robbery) and 26,800 had committed property offenses (burglary, theft, arson). Behind bars, they realize the harsh reality of life in prison after it is too late. With the 'get tough' legislation spreading across America, more teens are being tried in court as adults, with 77,000 youths incarcerated in adult jails and prisons. This program features teens, as well as former inmates, sentenced to juvenile and adult detention facilities in California, New Jersey, and New York for crimes such as burglary, assault and homicide. They expose the grim truth about life in prison, shattering the unrealistic illusions of others who might view prison as a badge of honor. They also send a strong message to teens to think about the consequences of their actions and gang associations that could have an impact on their lives and families forever. "--Container.