Beyond Scared Straight |

Follow Up

Corcoran, CA

Hardened criminals at the California prison that is home to Charles Manson gave teens a taste of life on the yard, where any prisoner could approach the teens and give them a feel for the dangers of prison life.

Stephen

AT THE CONCLUSION OF PRODUCTIONStephen enrolled in an alternative school. He is now receiving counseling to deal with his mom’s death.

LATEST UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2013Despite being enrolled in an alternative school and receiving counseling for his mother’s death, 16-year-old Stephen continued having behavior problems and, in March, was sent to live with his father in Texas. He enrolled in school as a sophomore and quickly made friends. Stephen was finally feeling comfortable in his new setting, but on April 2nd, only two weeks after his move to Texas, Stephen was involved in a dirt biking accident that altered his life.

While attempting to jump a parked truck with his dirt bike, Stephen veered out of control and slammed head on into a tree. He suffered irreversible damage to his spine and nervous system. When released from the hospital, Stephen remained in Texas and was sent to live with his aunt. According to Stephen, he is paralyzed from the chest down, but has full use of his arms, hands, neck, and face. Stephen is still getting accustomed to being in a wheelchair and is learning to maneuver around the house using his hands for support.

Stephen has changed his outlook on life, and he has changed dramatically since his accident. Stephen can now control his temper and is more open to displaying his feelings. He and his family have pulled together to make the best of his new life. With a new upbeat attitude and support from his family, Stephen has found a passion for music and is learning to play guitar.

Armando and Josh

AT THE CONCLUSION OF PRODUCTIONJosh is currently a fugitive, having fled house arrest when he saw a girl he liked chatting online with other boys.

Attending church twice a week, Armando is staying clean and out of trouble. He's getting A's and B's in school.

LATEST UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2013For Armando, the message came across loud and clear. He realized immediately how brutal life would be behind bars. "When the inmates told me, you know if I would end up in prison, telling me that one day I'll have to end up killing my brother, that made me feel like I should stop what I'm doing right now before it gets too late."

After the prison visit, Josh continued to make poor choices and was put under house arrest for a probation violation. "Basically, I was the bad twin," he says now. "I did a lot of stuff that my brother has never done." After learning that he was going to be a father, Josh made the decision to stop using drugs entirely. "I'm happy," he says. "I don't want my daughter to see me in prison."

Armando's decision to change was also a big motivator for his brother. "Armando did inspire me to get it together," says Josh. "I don't want to be that person I was back then. I want to try something new."

Armando and Josh now lead a trouble-free life living with their father. The brothers plan on continuing to keep an eye out for each other after joining the military once they receive their high school diplomas.