Not much context is given in the documentaries about who the kids are and what got them to where they are. Scared straight is not appropriate for every kid, depending on their situation, but for some kids it's exactly what they need . . . which is an independent third party who affirms what their parents and others have been telling them all along, which is to get your life together now, while you still have a chance. Stop using excuses. Everyone in life has issues and challenges, that's no reason to waste your life. Life is a gift. This program is only a starting point, but a starting point is THE most important step in getting one's life turned around.