When I first saw the previews to this show, I wasn’t sure what to expect.   I didn’t want to follow a reality show based on the daily lives of convicts, nor did I want to be a part of something that sensationalized criminals.  It didn’t seem promising.  I mean…how much can a show do that shoots from Rockville Correctional Institute, a women’s prison in Indiana?  Well, leave it Oprah and the OWN network to add the right touches.  At first glance, this show appears to be far more than reality candy.  

I must admit I was a little biased as soon as I heard the theme song, “Weight of My Mistakes”.  I LOVE Seal…what a treat!   On the show every woman has her OWN story of how she ended up in prison, yet OWN did a great job of choosing a nice cross sample.  The women’s stories are just beginning and appear to be unique and compelling.  

Some of the women seem to be ready for a change while others still just don’t seem to get it.  Larretha who had dreams of playing basketball and even had a full scholarship,  ends up throwing it all away for by taking part in a robbery for a small amount of cash.  Although Larretha spends most of the show dealing with her desire to feel connected to someone ( preferably a girlfriend in prison), she doesn’t really have a grasp on the big picture.  She is far more in the moment which makes it difficult to make good choices for her future.  Then there is Abbie.  A young, church-going athlete headed for college ended up desperately hooked on drugs after being prescribed Oxycontin following a horrible car accident.   She struggles to find purpose and opportunity as she serves her time.  Now desperate to do better.  AND how can I not mention Hannah who literally had a panic attack on the show while trying to deal with her insecurities?  On her 18th birthday, she found heroine and then found herself standing in the line of shame to receive methadone from her OWN mother whom distributes it to drug addicts.  She now finds herself completely engulfed by shame.  Her panic attack occurred while talking to her parents.  As they tried to not feel defensive, Hannah attempted to communicate her inabilitiy to share how she feels.   Feeling supported, I am sure in time she will get better at it.   The list goes on.  So many women with so many mistakes that led them to bad choices and eventually prison.

Now for the OWN touch…Dr. Stephanie Covington.  The show follows these women and their therapy sessions with Dr. Covington whom is helping them to achieve personal emotional goals.  These skills will help them to be able to function better in society and have a better grip on their OWN  internal battles.  Once again, OWN just trying to make a difference and allow for a change.   It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the season.  Hopefully, these women will be able to find their A-HA moments, or what I like to call “O moments”.  As the show progresses and they are confronted with their OWN insecurities and demons, I hope they find the strength for change.