National Geographic Explorer Season 2 Episode 7 Explorer: Surviving Maximum Security

Explorer: Surviving Maximum Security is an episode from the second season of the National Geographic Explorer series which explores the harsh realities of life behind bars in maximum-security prisons across the United States.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to the concept of maximum-security prisons and the kinds of inmates who are sent there. Using interviews with prison officials, psychologists, and inmates themselves, the show highlights the various factors that contribute to inmates ending up in these facilities, such as committing violent crimes, showing extreme aggression towards others, or being deemed too dangerous for lower-security facilities.

The first segment of the show focuses on the physical environment of maximum-security prisons and what life is like for inmates within them. Viewers are taken on a tour of a maximum-security prison in Louisiana, where they see the harsh living conditions that inmates are forced to endure. From overcrowded cells to limited access to sunlight and outdoor space, the show portrays a bleak and depressing reality for those who are incarcerated in these facilities.

The second segment of the show focuses on the psychological toll that life in maximum-security prisons can take on inmates. Viewers are introduced to a group therapy program at a California correctional facility, where inmates are taught coping mechanisms to help them deal with the trauma and stress of living in such a harsh environment. Through interviews with both inmates and therapists, the show delves into the mental health challenges that these men face and the importance of finding ways to support them.

The third segment of the show explores the issue of violence within maximum-security prisons and the various tactics that prison officials use to prevent it. From the use of solitary confinement to the implementation of strict rules and regulations, the show highlights the many ways that prisons try to keep inmates safe from each other. However, the segment also touches on the negative consequences of these tactics, such as the risk of mental health issues and increased aggression among inmates.

The final segment of the show focuses on the issue of reentry for inmates who are released from maximum-security prisons. Through interviews with former inmates who have successfully made the transition back to society, the show highlights the challenges and obstacles that these individuals face in their efforts to readjust to life outside of prison. From finding employment to rebuilding relationships with friends and family, the show depicts the daunting nature of this process and the need for society to offer more support to those who are released from prison.

Overall, Explorer: Surviving Maximum Security is a thought-provoking and eye-opening look at life behind bars in some of the most harsh and unforgiving facilities in the world. By highlighting the physical, psychological, and social challenges of living in these environments, the show raises important questions about our criminal justice system and the ways in which we deal with those who have committed violent crimes.