120 Hours Behind Bars

Over-capacity and on the brink, Louisiana's Washington Parish Jail is spiralling into chaos; the new sheriff struggles to bring stability and control while facing the mistakes of the past.

In rural Leake County, Mississippi, a small jail battles a big meth problem; with repeat offenders entering the jail daily, local law enforcement works to break the cycle.

Behind the walls of Clayton County Jail, deteriorating infrastructure creates dangerous conditions for both inmates and staff.

Caddo Parish Correctional Center is struggling with a staffing shortage; the inmates outnumber the deputies by 180 to one; to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff alike, the Emergency Response Team springs into action.

Virginia Beach is a party town with a vibrant nightlife, making its Correctional Center one of the busiest city jails in the state; here, some inmates arrive to go on holiday, then leave on probation, and return on a violation.

In Bristol County Jail, half of the cells don't lock; as changing demographics bring in more violent, gang-affiliated criminals, staff must manage a higher-risk population without the facility slipping into chaos.