Segregation or solitary confinement remains a controversial issue at both prisons and jails. The show's crew looks at various inmates' experiences.
Booking departments see men and women at their worst: drunk, high or a danger to themselves or others. Addiction has led users into lives of crime.
One of the toughest parts of making the show: getting behind the facade and unearthing the inmates' real stories. Producers offer their side.
Troublemakers are riveting. The producers look at jails' strategies to control them and dig into the stories behind the people causing the furor.
One county jail inmate's story focuses on a complex case, as clues emerge in a notorious sex slave mystery.
Crews were surprised to learn that incarcerated women can be tougher to manage than men. The producers talk to a "pod boss" and find a "comedian."
Gangs are a major challenge for jails in big cities. The families formed on the inside can dramatically impact the inmates' families on the outside.
Go behind the scenes as the crew brings in the gear and discovers the stories, including the most memorable rappers and Oakland hip-hopper Dru Down.
Daily gang problems are the main concern for gang investigators. Each one takes a unique approach, but Cleveland's Big Sam McClarin stands out.
The producers examine questionable cases. A Marine looks at a murder charge, and a gay inmate pays the price for adhering to the convict code.
WTF is the operative acronym in prison -- standing for workouts, tattoos and food. Inmates' unique regimens, body art and bad chow come into focus.
The crew recalls the most memorable people and aspects of prison life, including transgender inmates and aspiring stars.
The crew uncovers shocking stories at "America's toughest jail," overseen by the controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio, in Arizona's Maricopa County.
The producers detail their process. They get to know dozens of inmates, follow the action and have a knack for unearthing unexpected stories.
Get the background on the toughest stories. A female producer covers a masturbation issue in Alabama. A rapist in New Mexico shares grisly details.
Surviving behind bars means adapting. One crafty inmate concocts unusual weapons. Feline friendship and creative cooking make prison life bearable.
Notorious inmates divulge the secrets behind their shocking acts. A made man reveals his spiritual studies, as an inmate admits he enjoys violence.
Prison life can move from calm to chaos: The team captures the action and pieces together the story. An ex-skinhead bares his past and faces reality.
Inmates go to the edge, reach their breaking point and take irreversible action. The battle of wills can send the production team into gas masks.
Murder can be committed by seemingly ordinary people. A boyish shooter develops OCD behind bars, while a duped killer preaches the gospel in prison.
