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A Milford teenager who had faced charges relating to graffiti and tagging, was among the youths featured Thursday on "Beyond Scared Straight," a TV show that puts troubled teens into jail, for an experience that is intended to turn them around.
The episode on A&E was filmed at Suffolk County jail in Boston, but featured some footage in Milford, where Jesse and his mother were interviewed. [The show does not identify people by complete names]
Jesse, who was a 15-year-old student at Milford High School when the episode was filmed last year, said in an introductory scene that he didn't like school, and didn't see the point in continuing. He has since dropped out, but his mother said she is making plans to home-school him. He is now working full-time, and the charges he faced have been continued without a finding, his mother said.
The experience at the Suffolk County jail — recounted in the hourlong episode — required Jesse and the other teens to dress in orange jail jumpsuits, get handcuffed together, and spend time both alone in cells and with older inmates. Some of the footage includes scenes in which teens are surrounded by older inmates, who initially tried to intimidate them.
"Two years from now you'll be here," one of the inmates taunted Jesse. "I'll still be here. Look out the window. You can look but you can't touch. It's the worst feeling in the world."
Later, in a meeting with some of the inmates, Jesse and other teens heard from them about what they did to get in jail. One inmate said he'd been dealing drugs since age 13, and by 18, had a conviction for armed robbery. The inmates were shown counseling the teens, explaining why they should try to turn themselves around.
When he had an opportunity to say something to the inmates, Jesse said:
"I can probably promise you all that I'm not going to be back here."
Anonymous
1:10 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I watched and that kid is doomed. His mother is encouraging his behavior. She needs to step up and act like a parent. Disgusting
Caitlin Calahan
3:09 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Anonymous, you don't know anything about the mom or the situation. Who the hell are you to judge her?
Anonymous1
3:09 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
You forgot to mention that the Executive Producer of the show is from Milford, and an Alumni of Milford High School 1982.
Mary MacDonald
3:10 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Hi, I put that fact in the Five Things today, not this particular story.
Anonymous
3:53 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I know what came out of her mouth. She encouraged his pot smoking and let him quit school. Also from what the local teens are saying he hasn't changed a bit. I judge because any good parent wouldn't do those things.
Anonymous
4:20 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
We could take a poll from parents here and ask if they think her actions are those of a good parent....
Caitlin Calahan
4:20 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I heard what she said too and it wast part of a conversation and that comment was taken out of context. Don't judge until you have all the facts which you will never have because you don't know her.
Anonymous
4:49 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I know that she allowed her 16 year old son (who admittedly is in and out of trouble) to quit school.
I know that she did not discourage or disapprove of her son smoking pot.
I know that she said she would rather have him work than go to school.
I know that she seemed to not be all that concerned about his behavior.
Again, we could ask other parents who are raising teens, what they think.
Any parent that does NOT discourage their son from doing drugs is a bad parent.
Period. And I would love for the parent of a teen to debate that point if they think I'm wrong.
Mary MacDonald
4:57 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I'm sure there is more to every boy's story that was featured on the show. I came away from watching it feeling sad for all of them. The burden is on the mothers, in each of those cases, from what I saw on TV. Not a father was filmed, that I saw... The woman who started crying about her son, the one who lost the football scholarship, I've been thinking about that all day. Parenting is a lonely effort for a lot of women.
Anonymous
5:13 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Yea it is been there done that. Not all of them were bad parents. The mother that cried.....you could tell she felt bad...she felt something. It WAS a HUGE deal to her. The other mother seems so complacent. I'm sure there is more but you know what? Her not being utterly pi$$ed that he was smoking pot is reprehensible.
Caitlin Calahan
8:08 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
To all the haters and bashers who think you know what you're talking about, I know this kids mom. The show took what she said out of context. She was never ok with him dropping out of school or smoking pot! She's college educated and one of the smartest businesswomen I know. She tried everything she could to help him with his schooling but some kids just can't get through school and home schooling is one of the best alternatives. Since Jesse dropped out of school he has turned his whole life and attitude around. He loves his job and is studying to get his GED. He's a great kid! So before you judge someone you should know the facts first otherwise you just sound stupid.
Caitlin Calahan
8:08 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Also, why are you anonymous? Why are you afraid to post your name?
Dennis Wilson
9:52 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I think it is unfortunate that both the Milford Daily News and Patch decided to publish this story and put this family in the local spotlight. I assume the producer, seeking publicity for himself, provided the story. Publishing this story just may have increased the pressure on this family who appear to be working thru some difficult issues.
And Caitlin, I would suggest that the best thing to do with people on public blogs who have harsh attitudes and use screen names is to ignore them and not give them more of a platform. I think it is safe to say that reasonable people who watched this episode realize that there was/is much more to the story than the sound bites the producer choose to use.
I hope Jesse realizes that life gets better and that both he & his mom have the support they need.
Mary, you could just delete all these comments...and the whole story.
And if she doesn't delete it, Anonymous, please refrain from adding any additional harsh comments on this story...please.
Myd Nevins
8:03 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
While I don't necessary agree with deleting the story, I do agree that the general nature of the television business these days is to generate controversy and debate to gain and keep viewer's interest. Even if that means taking things out of context and creative editing.
Caitlin Calahan
8:03 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Dennis, you're absolutely right. I should never have given into the temptation to respond to such an ignorant person who can't see the bigger picture or understand that what the mom said were excerpts from whole conversations. It's people like that who try to rob you of the positive experience and growth that comes from participating in programs such as Beyond Scared Straight. Jesse has learned what his life would be like if he had continued on the path he was on. He has grown and matured immensely over the past year since the show was taped and I'm sure his moms support and influence played a part in that growth. Cudos to Jesse for having the guts to volunteer to participate. Thank you for your support.
Anonymous2
7:55 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
True, there's always more than meets the eye on reality TV, but putting yourself in the spotlight by going on a nationally televised show will bring scrutiny and judgement. Caitlin, you are not the only one with opinions here and you should be a little more respectful of others opinions too. That doesn't make "Anonymous" ignorant to make his/her opinions known in a comments section.