Behind Bars: Rookie Year

Watch Behind Bars: Rookie Year

  • TV-14
  • 2015
  • 2 Seasons
  • 7.8  (247)

Behind Bars: Rookie Year is a reality TV show that follows a group of rookie correctional officers (COs) during their first year on the job at the Penitentiary of New Mexico, a maximum-security prison. The show was first aired on A&E in August 2015 and consisted of ten one-hour episodes.

The show provides an in-depth look at the challenges, risks, and rewards of working in the prison system. The rookie COs face intense and dangerous situations, including inmate outbursts, gang violence, and drug smuggling, just to name a few. They also have to navigate the complex dynamics of the prison environment, establish trust with their fellow officers, and learn to effectively communicate with inmates.

The show is filmed in a documentary style, using handheld cameras and interviews with the COs to provide insight into their experiences. The cameras capture the daily routines of the prison, such as cell checks, pat-downs, and count, as well as the more extreme situations, such as riots and lockdowns.

Throughout the series, viewers get to know the rookie COs on a personal level. Each of them comes from a different background and has their own motivations for entering the correctional field. Some are former military members looking for a new career, while others simply want to help people and make a difference. One CO is even a former inmate himself, who has turned his life around and wants to help others do the same.

The show also delves into the personal lives of the COs, exploring how their job affects their relationships outside of work. For example, one CO struggles with the strain that his job puts on his marriage, while another has to balance the demands of the job with caring for her children.

Overall, Behind Bars: Rookie Year offers a fascinating and eye-opening glimpse into the world of prison security. The show highlights the bravery and dedication of the COs who put their lives on the line every day to keep others safe. It also showcases the importance of empathy and communication in an environment that can easily become hostile and dangerous.

While the show is certainly not for the faint of heart, it is a gripping and compelling look at a profession that is often overlooked and underappreciated. The COs on the show are not only brave and admirable, but also relatable and human. They face the same struggles and challenges that many of us do, but they do so while serving a greater purpose and putting their lives on the line.

In conclusion, Behind Bars: Rookie Year is a must-watch for anyone interested in the criminal justice system, or for those who simply enjoy well-made reality TV. It offers a unique and fascinating look into a world that few of us ever see, and it does so with both heart and grit.

Behind Bars: Rookie Year is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (21 episodes). The series first aired on August 6, 2015.

Behind Bars: Rookie Year
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Seasons
The Takedown
12. The Takedown
November 10, 2016
The war against the SNM gang reaches a critical point and the rookies help put the final nail in the coffin. Purto takes part in a surprise raid on SNM leaders and Javier conducts his first extraction. Israel considers a job change in light of the recent news and Lily finally finds her voice as a confident CO. Mangin and Cordova are no longer rookies anymore and offer wisdom to a brand new class of cadets.
It's Personal
11. It's Personal
November 3, 2016
The administration increases their efforts to take down the SNM gang as violence still escalates in the prison. Israel and Purto shakedown cells of of high level SNM gang leaders and find out Purto's life may be in jeopardy. A leader of the SNM gang tells his story. Mangin and Cordova hit their 1 year anniversary as COs and witness a violent SNM gang fight. Chaz is beginning to come into his own as a correctional officer.
Zero To 100
10. Zero To 100
October 27, 2016
Violent attacks increase in the prison and things can go from zero to 100 in an instant. Rookie COs must be vigilant at all times to prevent a disaster. Mangin must subdue a volatile inmate when he swallows unidentified contraband. A fight between gang members erupts in Chaz's unit and Javier's first assignment as a CO is yard duty. Tired of the violence and stress, Ariel quits the job. Meanwhile D'Angelo moves to PNM in the hopes of getting to see more action.
The Ones That Make It
9. The Ones That Make It
October 20, 2016
After a few months on the job, some rookies are starting to feel more comfortable in their duties.
Building The Case
8. Building The Case
October 13, 2016
The department's case against prison gangs is building and the rookies look for ways to find evidence that will take them down permanently.
No Room for Error
7. No Room for Error
October 6, 2016
Violence against New Mexico law enforcement is on the rise and even the smallest mistake can be devastating. Mangin joins the extraction to which must forcible remove an unwilling inmate from his cell. Israel makes an error while performing a drug test and Fabian loses track of inmates in his unit. Ariel starts a new post and goes too far to establish her authority and sets up a serious conflict.
Mind Games
6. Mind Games
September 29, 2016
For the rookies, the mental game in prison can be more taxing than the physical one. D'Angelo is frustrated when he struggles to catch inmates in his unit with contraband. Lilly learns a hard lesson about trusting inmates when a phone goes missing in the pod. Purto joins the elite STIU team interview a gang member. A new rookie, Chaz, hits the line and hopes to live up to his father's legacy.
Boiling Point
5. Boiling Point
September 22, 2016
A gang member is subdued after threatening two C.O.'s; a former SNM gang member tries to bully a C.O., forcing him to abandon protocol; drugs are discovered in an inmate's mail; and a C.O. gets a new assignment in discharging a high-risk inmate.
Survival Of The Fittest
4. Survival Of The Fittest
September 15, 2016
Only the strong survive in prison, both inmate and officer alike. Purto and D'Angelo clash with antagonistic inmates.
Predator Vs. Prey
3. Predator Vs. Prey
September 8, 2016
The rookies look for opportunities to exercise their authority or risk being preyed upon by predatory inmates.
Fear
2. Fear
September 1, 2016
Young rookies must face their fears while working with violent convicts and gang members.
A New Threat
1. A New Threat
August 25, 2016
New rookies hit the line in New Mexico's prison system, where violence is at an all-time high and the notorious SNM gang has declared war on all COs.
First Look
100. First Look
September 26, 2016
A sneak peek of the upcoming new episode.
Description
Where to Watch Behind Bars: Rookie Year
Behind Bars: Rookie Year is available for streaming on the A&E website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Behind Bars: Rookie Year on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Philo, Amazon, A&E, Microsoft Movies & TV, The Roku Channel Free, Sling, Google Play, Apple TV and Tubi TV.
  • Premiere Date
    August 6, 2015
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (247)