Lockup: Raw Season 1 Episode 9 Inside Stateville
- March 19, 2007
Inside Stateville is the ninth episode of Lockup: Raw's first season and takes viewers inside Illinois' Stateville prison, one of the most violent and overcrowded corrections facilities in the country.
Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to a number of inmates who have been incarcerated at Stateville for varying lengths of time, ranging from just a few months to decades. Many of these inmates have violent criminal histories, and some have even committed murder.
One of the inmates featured in the episode is a man named Tony, who has been serving time at Stateville for 15 years. During his time in prison, Tony has developed a reputation as a "shot caller," someone who is able to wield power and influence over other inmates. However, Tony's power is not necessarily born of physical strength or violence. Instead, he is known for his intelligence and his ability to navigate the complex social dynamics of prison life.
Another inmate viewers meet in Inside Stateville is a man named Ken, who is serving time for armed robbery. Ken has only been at Stateville for a few months, but he is already struggling to adjust to life inside. Part of what makes Stateville such a challenging place to live is the fact that it is extremely overcrowded, with many inmates living in cramped, shared spaces. As a result, tensions between inmates can run high, and conflict is common.
In addition to meeting individual inmates, viewers of Inside Stateville also get a sense of the day-to-day routines that prisoners are expected to follow at Stateville. For example, inmates are responsible for cleaning their own cells, and they must do so using only a small amount of water. They are also required to attend daily "count times," during which all inmates must be present and accounted for.
One of the most powerful moments of Inside Stateville comes when viewers are shown footage of a prison riot that took place at the facility several years prior. The riot resulted in the deaths of several inmates and corrections officers, and the footage is haunting. It serves as a reminder of the extreme violence and danger that inmates and corrections officers alike face every day in places like Stateville.
Throughout the episode, viewers are left with a sense of the hopelessness and despair that can come with being incarcerated at Stateville. Many of the inmates featured in the show have little to no hope of ever being released from prison, and as a result, they can become hardened and cynical.
However, despite the bleakness of some of the stories told in Inside Stateville, there are also moments of resilience and humanity. For example, viewers meet a group of inmates who have formed a gospel choir in the hopes of finding some sense of community and solace in their shared faith.
Overall, Inside Stateville is a sobering look at one of America's most notorious prisons. It highlights the challenges that inmates face on a daily basis, as well as the toll that life behind bars can take on their mental and emotional well-being.