Lockup Extended Stay Season 1 Episode 4 San Quentin: Bad Boys, Bad Boys

Locked behind the walls of San Quentin State Prison, California, the inmates featured in this episode of Lockup Extended Stay season 1 episode 4 are there for various crimes, including robbery, drug trafficking and murder. The episode explores the gritty and dangerous world of the inmates who call San Quentin home.

The episode begins with a focus on Michael, an inmate who has been serving a sentence of 25 years to life for his role in a gang-related murder. Michael admits to his mistakes but is quick to defend his gang, stating that they are more like a family, and that the loyalty they show each other is what keeps them strong. The program outlines Michael's background, including the many years that he spent in a violent feud with a rival gang. The camera follows Michael as he navigates his way through prison life, following him through the routine of daily meals, exercise and visits from family members.

Next, the episode turns to Johnny, who has been in jail since he was a teenager. In his interview, Johnny discusses his early years in and out of detention, blaming his criminal behavior on his upbringing in a violent and chaotic household. Despite the odds stacked against him, Johnny is determined to change his ways and make a better life for himself once he is released.

Another prisoner, Mario, has been in San Quentin for 24 years, serving a life sentence for multiple murders. Looking back on his past, Mario expresses remorse over his actions, stating that he wishes he could take back the pain he caused his victims' families. Mario is seen playing guitar in the prison yard, which he credits with helping him to stay positive and make sense of his life.

Throughout the episode, the camera follows the prison's correctional officers as they try to keep order in a notoriously violent facility. The officers discuss their experiences working in San Quentin, highlighting the unique challenges they face keeping the inmates in check. They talk about the various gangs that operate within the prison, as well as the daily struggles they face in keeping contraband items like drugs and weapons out of the hands of the inmates.

The show also takes a look inside the prison's Protective Custody Unit, where inmates who are deemed to be at risk of harm from other prisoners are housed separately. The camera follows a group of men who have been sent to this unit for various reasons, including former law enforcement officials who may be targeted by other prisoners, and inmates who have cooperated with authorities and fear retaliation.

Overall, this episode of Lockup Extended Stay season 1 gives viewers an inside look at the daily life of inmates in one of America's most notorious prisons. Through interviews with the prisoners themselves, as well as the correctional officers tasked with keeping them in line, the show provides a thought-provoking look at the impact that incarceration has on individuals and society at large.