Inside the World's Toughest Prisons

I don't even know where to start...

The docu-series is phenomenal. I love an ex-convicted felon being the host of the series for obvious reasons. He brings a level of authenticity to the experience and is able to disarm and engage with the inmates in ways a person who hasn't gone thru the prison system can do.

Those saying that Ralphel is judgmental. Pause and think about this. This man is merely describing to the viewers what he sees, hears, smells, and feels. And he's brutally honest about it. This is a refreshing take that maybe a professionally trained journalist may shy away from. Also, while he is describing situations to the tee and questioning the inmates on their crimes and motives, do not mistaken this as judgmental as some viewers have done. This man is giving us lay-people a front row seat into the thoughts and actions of some of the worst criminals on earth. Sure, Ralphel has his limits - clearly he despise any crimes against women and children, especially murder and sexual assault. This is evident in the South African prison episode. Anyone who is critical of this man over this issue is likely a rapist, sexual abuser, child molestor or a sympathizer. It's gross to criticize Ralphel for having standards in which it makes him uncomfortable to be around rapist who wouldn't think twice about doing it again.

I love how raw this series is. Holy crap some of the footage is really hard to watch or listen to: prisons in the Philippines, South Africa, South America, and Maldova. Whew I don't ever want to even be near anyone breaking the law in these places.

Which brings me to this hard truth. As an African American, it is really hard to admit and even write this but... Good Lord someone needs to hand out capital punishment to all the South African men going around just rapping women and children - and spreading HIV. That prison literally has more than 25% of its pop related to sexual assault against women and children. Just thro that part of the continent in the damn trash! The caviler attitude about their crimes is just stomach turning. God bless Ralphel for sitting thru that experience and not walking out. The world needs to see what these women and children are dealing with... not to mention the high HIV rates from all these inhuman vessels rapping women and children. Something is psychologically wrong with these black men. And don't tell me it's their socio-economic conditions when there are clearly other very m, very poor countries that do not have this percentage of inmates for sexual assault. I'm tired of the pacifist and sympathizers making excuses and blaming everyone but the criminals. Just castrate these men.

Ok carrying on...

I do think this series shed light on what true punishment and/or rehabilitation should look like and what it takes to get there. I do not think men who are sexual predators can be rehabilitated... so just lock their butts up and throw away the key. Even a murderer, depending on the details, can be rehabilitated. And he/she should be rehabilitated if his/she doesn't have a life sentence because these people will have to go back into society. I'd rather have a changed man interacting with society than some angry, drugged up, psycho back into society.

With that said, Greenland and Norway takes it to the extreme; while the Philipeans, South Africa and South America takes it to the opposite extreme. Those European prisons did not feel like punishment or rehabilitation; but rather a vacation for the criminals. The brown and black countries felt inhuman even for the scum who raped women and children. Good lord, I hope these places figure out a balance with this. Victims shouldn't have to see their perps living the lavish like... looking like a high-end hotel; while on the other hand, prisoners who committed crimes shouldn't have to live lower than animals...

Anyhow, I feel like this is a great series to watch. I wish there was more time spent on women inmates as well. This would be very interesting perspective.

I recommend watching it.

In season 1 episode 1, Paul (the host) was invited to "sit in" on an inmate's meeting with a judge. Not only did the host interrupt that meeting, by asking both parties questions instead of waiting until the end, but he completely undermined the inmate in front of the judge. The host asked way too many probing questions into the lives of these inmates, and according to Raphael Rowe, season 2's host, that's a rookie (and costly) mistake. Paul's lucky he had cameras with him, or else he would've been screwed for sure!

To start, a lot of the reviews for this show have issues with one or both hosts. I happen to like both hosts. Paul because as an investigative journalist without a criminal background he's unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the environments he is put in. Raphael because of his prison history (he served 12 years in maximum security after being wrongly accused and later released) and an understanding of what goes on inside. I like the fact the show isn't just beeped out profanities thrown at each other, fighting, etc. The show creates a non-threatening vibe that tends to get some really bad people, in some really bad places, to open up about some things. If you want a bunch of thugs acting like animals and going after each other this isn't the show. If you want to learn about the way different prisons work and get an inside look at internal politics, gang power, and individual stories this show is for you.

Watched the whole four seasons on Netflix here in Sweden. It's very interesting but what a difference between hosts! I do like Paul but not for this series. When Raphael started in the second season it became a totally different show with so much better interaction and understanding. I must say Raphael is a man with a big heart and mind and I'd like to see him in different formats of other series. He's extremely human and humble and it's a joy to watch him.

The series span prisons across the globe and boy how different countries handle their politics of law and order and how different the prisoners are treated and viewed. It's almost ironic to see the difference between the Norwegian prison and those of South America for example. I do like the fact that we get an insight into the prisoners life and mind but should never forget about the victims even though we feel sympathy with the murderers. I'm still very conservative when it comes to offenders and I feel no punishment is enough for the really heavy criminals.

I'm confused why there are such negative reviews? This show is very intriguing and kept me on my toes in many episodes (I.e. the episode where his cell mates wanted to take advantage of him sexually). I rate this 9/10 for taking the viewers into prisons all over the world!