Ep 9. Inside Stateville

In Lockup season 1 episode 9, titled "Inside Stateville," viewers are given an eye-opening look into the infamous Stateville Correctional Center, located in Crest Hill, Illinois. The episode features interviews with both inmates and correctional officers, providing a balanced and comprehensive view of life behind bars.

The episode begins with a tour of Stateville's maximum security cell house, where the most dangerous and violent offenders are held. Viewers are shown the small, cramped cells that inmates are housed in for 23 hours a day. The cramped conditions and lack of privacy are highlighted, with one inmate saying, "This is what it's like to be buried alive."

Throughout the episode, viewers are shown the harsh reality of life inside Stateville. From the dangerous gangs that rule the prison to the strict rules and regulations that inmates must follow, it's clear that this is not a place anyone would want to end up.

One of the main themes explored in the episode is the impact of incarceration on mental health. Viewers are shown the harsh reality of the lack of mental health resources available in the prison system. In one particularly heart-wrenching scene, an inmate is seen being taken to the segregation unit after having a mental health episode. The officers handling the situation are clearly untrained in dealing with mental health crises, and the inmate is left to suffer alone in his cell.

The episode also focuses on the relationship between inmates and correctional officers. Viewers are shown both positive and negative interactions between the two groups. Some officers are shown to be compassionate and willing to help inmates, while others treat them with hostility and brutality. One officer even admits to using excessive force on inmates, stating that he enjoys "putting them in their place."

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the daily routines and rituals of the inmates of Stateville. From the way they pass the time to the way they communicate with each other, it's clear that life inside prison is vastly different from life on the outside.

Overall, "Inside Stateville" is a powerful episode that sheds light on the harsh realities of life inside one of America's most notorious prisons. From the lack of mental health resources to the brutal treatment of inmates by some correctional officers, viewers are given a comprehensive view of the challenges facing those incarcerated in the United States. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in the criminal justice system and the lives of those impacted by it.