Scared Straight! 1978

Overview

Scared Straight! is a 1978 American documentary film directed by Arnold Shapiro. The film features a group of juvenile delinquents participating in a three-hour session with actual convicts. During this program, the prisoners describe the realities and horrors of prison life to the troubled youths. The documentary is narrated by Peter Falk, an actor widely recognized for his role as a police detective on the television drama Columbo. Released on November 2, 1978, in the United States, the production has a runtime of 52 minutes and is classified as a documentary. The film serves as a documented depiction of this specific intervention program. In 2007, the Academy Film Archive took action to preserve the film. The documentary has remained a part of life for many students in various towns since its release. The project is centered on the interaction between the convicts and the young participants, aiming to discourage the youths from future criminal behavior by exposing them to the harsh environment of the prison system.