Ep 3. Inside Riverbend

Inside Riverbend is the third episode of the first season of the prison documentary series, Lockup. It takes us inside the notorious Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee. The episode starts with Sean Williams, a 26-year-old inmate who has been incarcerated for over 5 years for second-degree murder, giving us a tour of his cell in the prison's death row. He speaks about his life in prison, the monotony of his day-to-day routine, and the fear and uncertainty that comes with waiting for his execution day.

Next, we meet Wanda Showers, a 45-year-old Corrections Officer who has worked at Riverbend for more than 8 years. Her job is to keep watch over the inmates, ensure their safety, and maintain order within the prison walls. She talks about the challenges of working in a high-security prison, the risks involved, and the precautions that she has to take every day to stay safe.

We then see a group of inmates attending a music concert organized by the prison administration to help them cope with their time in jail. The concert provides a brief moment of respite for the inmates who are otherwise forced to deal with the harsh realities of prison life. We hear from one of the performers, a gospel singer who is herself a former prisoner. She talks about how music helped her cope with her own time in jail, and how she hopes to inspire the inmates to find hope and redemption through music.

The episode also delves into the complex relationships between the inmates themselves. We see a group of gay inmates who have formed a close-knit community within the prison walls. They talk about the challenges of being gay in a male-dominated environment, the discrimination and abuse they face, and the support they give each other.

Riverbend is also home to several inmates who have been diagnosed with severe mental illnesses. The episode explores the difficulties of managing such inmates, who often require specialized care and medication. We meet Michael Johnson, a 34-year-old inmate who suffers from schizophrenia and is housed in Riverbend's Mental Health Unit. He talks about his struggles with the illness, the difficulty of adjusting to life in prison, and the help he receives from the prison's healthcare staff.

The final segment of the episode focuses on the prison's Death Row, where inmates wait for years in isolation for their execution day. We see how the strict rules and regulations of Death Row can have a profound impact on the psyche of the inmates. One of the inmates, a former gang member who has spent over 20 years on Death Row, talks about the loneliness and despair of his confinement and the hope he clings to that one day the verdict against him will be overturned.

Inside Riverbend is a gripping and sobering look at life behind bars. It provides a glimpse into the complex dynamics of the prison system, the challenges faced by those who work and live within it, and the harsh realities of the American criminal justice system. The episode gives us a candid and unflinching view of the prison's diverse population, from hardened criminals to those struggling with mental illness, and highlights the humanity that still exists within even the bleakest of circumstances.