Ep 5. The Little Things

In Lockup: Raw season 6 episode 5, entitled "The Little Things," viewers are taken behind the bars of one of America's most notorious prisons. This raw and unfiltered look at the lives of inmates and corrections officers provides a glimpse into the daily struggles and triumphs within the prison walls.

The episode explores the concept of “the little things,” as inmates and officers alike find solace in the small moments of humanity they can find within the prison’s harsh environment. One segment focuses on an inmate named Brian, who has been incarcerated for over a decade and is serving a life sentence for murder. He discusses the importance of small moments of kindness, such as when another inmate offers to lend him a book or when he’s allowed a few extra minutes of phone time. Despite his circumstances, Brian maintains a positive outlook and appreciates any small moment of humanity he can find in the prison.

Another segment features an officer named Bob, who speaks candidly about his job and the toll it takes on him emotionally. Bob talks about how seeing the same inmates day in and day out can be draining, but he finds solace in the few moments of humanity he can offer them. For Bob, the “little things” include seeing an inmate successfully complete a vocational program or having a positive interaction with an inmate who has a history of causing trouble. These moments of connection and progress provide motivation for Bob to keep going in a job that can be emotionally draining.

Throughout the episode, viewers also witness the harsh realities of life in prison. In one segment, an inmate named Marcus discusses the difficulty of being a “new fish,” or a newly incarcerated inmate. Marcus recounts the violence and chaos he witnessed during his first few days in prison and talks about the importance of finding a group of people to align with in order to survive. The episode also touches on issues like overcrowding, as well as the mental health struggles that many inmates face while incarcerated.

Perhaps most strikingly, "The Little Things" juxtaposes the seemingly mundane aspects of life in prison with the way that they can take on a newfound significance. In one segment, inmates work together to make homemade pizza using ingredients purchased from the commissary. While the act of making pizza may seem unremarkable, the camaraderie and sense of community that lie behind it are palpable. The inmates talk about how these small moments help them forget about their circumstances, even if only for a short while.

Overall, Lockup: Raw season 6 episode 5 is a powerful and unvarnished glimpse into the world of America’s prisons. The show offers no easy answers to the complex issues at play, but it does provide a nuanced and thought-provoking look at the way that people cope with adversity in one of society's harshest environments. “The Little Things” reminds viewers that even in the darkest of places, there is still hope to be found in the small moments of humanity.