Original subtitles

The criminal justice system is overburdened as it is. The number of

offenders rises every year. You're all talking problems.

What we need to talk here are solutions.

And the solution is as old as the Bible and just as clear.

An eye for an eye. Makes the whole world blind.

We're talking about young people here, Commissioner.

The target population for this group is between the ages of 18 and 21.

They're still criminals, Miss Cahill. Yes, they are. And they deserve to be

punished. But if we send them off to Huntsville, they're going to be hardened

that experience and we'll lose them forever.

Well, that's all well and good. But I agree with the commissioner.

The solution to the rising crime rates is not more programs.

It's more prisons.

With all due respect, Commissioner Simpson, Deputy Commissioner Dodd, we've

tried that.

We've built more prisons. We've put more people in them. It simply doesn't work.

What we need is alternatives. Come on, Ms. Cahill.

Face reality. These programs just don't work.

This is just a waste of time, energy, and money.

Doesn't this remind you of being back in school?

Going to the principal's office?

I wouldn't know. I never had to go to the principal's office.

Get out of here.

I didn't.

I mean, I wasn't a brat like you when you were a kid. Your mom told me all

you. She said you were a real brat.

My mom never...

As you may imagine, Ranger Walker, your proposal has received vigorous debate.

You have quite a champion in Assistant District Attorney Cahill, and you have a

few skeptics. However, because of your long and dedicated service to the people

of Texas, this committee is going to give you a chance.

We have decided to fund a pilot project of about six weeks.

We will evaluate it, and at the end of that time, we will determine the funding

of the future.

What will be the basis of the evaluation, Senator?

Deputy Commissioner Dobbs has volunteered to spend the full six weeks

He will be the eyes and ears of the committee.

Of course, we will make the final decision, but his report is going to be

great weight.

Thank you, Senator.

Three months from now,

the largest prison bond issue in the history of the state of Texas goes

the voters.

Hundreds of millions of dollars for more prisons, more guards.

Now, programs like Walker's, programs that give false hope to the voters,

jeopardize the passage of that bondage.

It's up to you and your report to see to it that Walker fails.

Is that understood?

Yes, sir.

In the meantime, the club is behind.

The paper was signed.

You caught up in a bind.

You're headed for nowhere.

There's nowhere to find.

The club on the head.

In the meantime.

Think this has been going to be any good?

No, G.

Just another stupid waste of time.

Then why'd you sign up?

Because there ain't no way to break out of Huntsville. So breaking out of some

fool's camp is going to be a piece of cake.

Yo, Peretti.

Can I ask you something?

What? You got any naked pictures of your mom?

If you don't, maybe I can tell you something.

Not worth it, Tony.

Damn, Peretti.

You're talking trash about your mom.

I wouldn't even take that from a white man.

All right, you maggots, now listen up.

You may think you're something else, but I'm here to clue you in. What you are

is losers.

Don't you forget it. Now, for the rest of this trip, I want you to keep your

eyes forward and your mouths closed.

You hear me?

Let's go, ladies. Come on, move it, move it.

All right, let's go. Everybody off the bus.

Line them up. All right, let's go. Line them up. All

right, unshackle them.

Welcome to Camp Justin.

In the eyes of a ranger, the unsuspecting stranger had better know

wrong from right.

Cause the eyes of the ranger are upon you.

Any hope you do, he's gonna see.

When you're in Texas, look behind you.

Cause that's where the ranger's gonna be.

My name is Walker. This is Trevette.

For the next six weeks, you men will be given an opportunity.

An opportunity to work as a team, an opportunity to prove yourselves as

individuals, and an opportunity to turn your lives around.

This will be a one -way ticket to your future or a one -way ticket to

Huntsville. It's your choice.

Rules here are simple.

Do what you're told when you're told.

Follow instructions.

You have no problem.

So what you saying?

We don't follow orders, and we're going to have problems?

Yeah. Huh?

You're right.

What's your name?

Mad Dog.

Well, Mad Dog, think of this as your worst nightmare.

And from now on, you will address it as a sir.

Sergeant Lewis.

Yes, sir. Take these men to the supply room and outfit them. All right, let's

go. Move it. Yeah, yeah. Come on, man.

Go.

Cameron Johnson?

What's she doing here?

Alex's idea.

She wasn't sure that Dobbs would be there in his assessment.

That's a good idea.

Uh -huh.

Brent Walker.

Miss Johnson.

Ranger Chauvet. Hi.

I want you both to know that though I personally support what you're trying to

do here, I intend to be completely unbiased in my coverage of this story.

And if it works, my viewers will know it.

And if it doesn't... Your viewers will know it.

Fair enough.

You're right. Yeah.

Luis Flaco Lopez, aggravated assault.

Daryl Cool Waters, attempted murder.

William Billy Boy Cody, attempted robbery.

Jerry. Mad Dog Sullivan.

Possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.

Jeez, who picked these guys?

I did.

Ranger Walker said he wanted to test this program.

So you're saying if these guys can make it? No.

I'm saying they won't.

Move it, move it, come along.

Let's go.

That's for you, little man.

Your daddy's going to do right. We'll see.

That's my book.

Not anymore then.

Looks like you men have a little too much energy.

These fools think that was hard or something. I'm serious.

My father and I with a TV under each arm.

You know, you men are right.

That wasn't hard enough.

Let's go!

Get up!

Get up!

Why don't you guys just shut your mouths?

Gentlemen, that's it. Lights out.

Lights out?

Man, what you talking about, lights out? It's only 9 o 'clock.

You're right, Mr. Harris.

It is early.

All right, gentlemen, let's try it again.

Lights out.

All right, whatever.

What did you say?

I said, shut up!

Yes,

sir.

One,

two, three, four, five. Come on, come on, get down,

get down.

Go.

Seven, eight, nine.

Come on.

Keep the feet off the ground.

Harder. Come on.

Let's go.

Come on. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.

All right. All right, man.

All together again.

Keep doing it until everyone gets it right.

Doing it. Do it again.

1, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 32,

33, 34, 35.

Keep going.

Come on, Mr. Harris.

Come on, get more, get more.

1, 2, 3, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6,

1, 2, 3, 7, 1, 2.

Most of them seem to be coming along just fine.

Who are we? This is just the second day, Miss Johnson.

We're a team, sir. We have a long way to go.

You can make easy choices, fast choices, or you can make smart choices.

Mr. Harris.

Yes, sir.

Let me give you a choice.

What if I was to offer you...

$100 ,000 right now, or a penny a day doubled for 30 days,

which one would you take?

$100 ,000 or a penny?

Doubled every day for 30 days.

Excuse me, sir, but you must be tripping.

Which one would you take?

I'll take the hundred large.

Let me see a show of hands of all of you who believe.

that Mr. Harris made a smart choice.

Okay, let's see if Mr. Harris did make a smart choice.

Now, if you'd have taken a penny a day, doubled for 30 days, here's what you

would have gotten.

$5 ,368 ,709 .12.

Smart choices, gentlemen.

Mr. Harris, you made the fast choice.

You all did.

That's what life is all about, people.

Making the smart choices.

Not the fast choices.

Or the easy choices.

Are you ready to roll,

Cameron? We're rolling.

I'm ready.

Ten. Hardcore young offenders, too old for the juvenile justice system, but

perhaps too young for a society to simply write off, have embarked on a

six -week boot camp under the hot Texas sun and under the careful eye of Texas

Ranger Cordell Walker.

Will they make it? Is rehabilitation still a possibility in this day and age?

What does the future hold for these young men and the many others like them?

The answers to these questions and more hinge on the outcome of this noble

experiment. This is Kimberly Johnson reporting from Camp Justice.

I sure hope Cordell knows what he's doing.

Doesn't he always?

Well, most of the time. This time I'm not sure.

My concern is three strikes is two pitches too many.

I say put him in jail, throw away the key.

Let me ask you something, C .D.

Are you worried that Walker might fail or that he might succeed?

Alex? Sometimes I just can't talk to you.

Yo, check it out.

This fake army starts with suckers.

Yeah, I'm going to go along to get along, but first chance I get, I'm out

here.

Life

is

about setting goals.

You men set a goal.

I picked this program.

It hasn't been easy.

But you've all risen to the challenge.

I'm proud of you.

Eddie.

What can we be?

Anything we want to be, sir!

Attention!

There's your word, man.

Are you going to put that in your reports?

Yeah. Got it!

question, sir.

What is it, Mr. Harris?

Do we look like pharmacies, sir?

Well, tell me this, Mr. Harris. Have you ever grown anything before?

No.

Have any of you ever grown anything before?

Not me.

Then how did you know you won't like it until you try it?

I don't know.

I surprised him.

Yeah, so come on, farmer boy, let's get back to work.

Come on, cool.

Drop your gun.

I can't.

They'll shoot me.

I'm hitting that guard.

No, they won't shoot you, I promise.

Just drop the gun now.

No!

I'm sorry, Mama.

God, please protect my mama.

Please, God, forgive my sin and deliver

me from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power,

and the glory.

And forever.

Amen. I

still

think this is a good idea, Ranger Walker.

With one prisoner dead and a guard on the way to the hospital, what began as a

noble experiment has turned into a tragedy.

Is this the end of Ranger Walker's program?

Welcome, Senator Hutchison.

Didn't look happy.

The stakes were already high, Ranger Walker.

Yes, ma 'am, but they're even higher now, Senator.

The fact that one man tried to escape... It's not the issue here.

It's the fact that nine men did not try. And to punish these men for something

they didn't do, I don't think it's fair, Senator.

So please reconsider.

What's your view, Commissioner Dobbs?

It's your call, Senator.

All right, Ranger.

I'm not going to pull the plug.

But you are on notice if anything, even approaching what happened this morning,

does again.

You can rest assured this program is history.

Yes, ma 'am.

Damn! They just up and shot him down just like he was a dog.

That ain't right, man.

Walker didn't even do nothing. And you know he could.

Of course he could.

See?

They're all on the same side.

Damn straight.

That's the other side.

That's right.

We was all just a bunch of damn fools for thinking anything else.

Man, Walker's been playing us the whole time.

What do you think we should do?

I think we play him right back.

I'm down for that.

A ten!

A

ten!

You guys got a problem with me?

Yeah.

Yeah, we got a problem with you.

Cop.

If you guys have a beef with me, let's settle it right now.

So we can get back to work.

Now, whatever happens here, we'll stay here.

Who wants to be first?

What, if I kick your butt?

How's this gonna happen?

That's right, Mr. Sullivan.

You wanna be first?

Come on, Mad Dog.

Oh, yeah.

Come on, Mad Dog. Take him out.

Come on, man. Take him out.

Get in there.

Come on, man.

Get

in there.

Come on, man.

Daryl Waters made a choice.

And that choice got him killed.

Now, Senator Hutchinson wanted to send you to Huntsville.

But I talked her out of it.

Because I still believe in you guys.

Believe you want something better out of life Not tomorrow morning

You've got a choice You either be on the line ready to get

back to work or be on the bus

They made the smart choice.

Mm -hmm.

Back in business?

Looks that way.

Ready for inspection, sir.

What's going on here, Sergeant?

Contraband check, sir.

Stand it for siege.

Oh, man.

Walker, look what they did to our place. This place was fucked.

All that worked for nothing.

Come now, Walker.

Just because things aren't working out, don't blame the guards.

Commissioner, they're undermining everything we're trying to do here.

Ranger Walker, I'm sure you understand how the guards feel.

That injured guard was one of their own.

He's a good man. He's got a wife and two kids. And he's lying in a hospital bed

thanks to one of your punks that you call men.

Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have work to do.

Why do I get the feeling he's not going to be much help on this?

Run it over.

What's up? You guys think that's funny?

You think that's funny, huh?

Walker, we gotta do something.

Yeah.

A 60 -mile hike.

Are you out of your mind?

We'll be gone for three days, Commissioner.

We're leaving tomorrow morning, and we'll return by Saturday at 5 p .m. I've

already got the approval from Senator Hutchison.

You're planning on taking that bunch of criminals out into the woods for three

days? Well, forget it. I don't care what the senator said.

Those guards are under my direction, and they're not going anywhere.

That's right, Commissioner.

They're not going.

Trivette and I are going to do it alone.

And after five and a half weeks of tragedy and triumph, and with many

still unanswered, this entire noble experiment comes down to the next three

days. Can Ranger Walker's boot camp really make a difference in the lives of

these troubled young men?

At 5 o 'clock Saturday afternoon, the world will have an answer.

Ranger Walker, I'm going with you.

It'll be a rough three days.

I still have my report to write.

Okay. I can't. Move out.

They won't last a day.

The coolest thing to know is you got a picture of time.

And that time is definitely coming.

All right, everyone.

Let's make up camp here.

Let's get your tents up.

My tents?

Man, we don't need no tents.

No, that's right.

We'll sleep outside under the stars.

You know, experienced nature and fresh air and all?

You know, actually, Ranger Walker, it kind of makes sense.

Putting up tents is a whole lot of work.

Looks like it's going to be a beautiful night. Actually, that's not a good idea.

Well, Trevant, if they want to sleep out under the stars, that's their choice.

Let's get our tent up. All right.

Go home, man.

I guess it's about over there.

why you put your tent up.

Nature is in life.

All actions have their consequences.

Isn't that right, Mr. Dobbs?

Yes, sir, Ranger.

Yes, sir.

Consequences my wrinkled butt, sir.

You knew it was going to rain.

I knew it might rain, Mr. Harris.

That's why we set up our tent.

You decided not to set up your tent and you suffered the consequence.

All right, got a big day ahead of us, gentlemen. Gather around here.

Come on. Get over here.

All right.

Food is here.

The water is over here.

And our new camp is going to be here.

I'm going to split up into two groups. One group will go for the water. The

other group will go for the food.

We'll meet back up at the campsite.

Any questions?

All right.

Let's get ready.

Pretty day, isn't it?

Come on, you guys. We don't want Walker's group to beat us to camp.

Hey, guys.

Look.

Come here.

Check it out.

Cool.

Let's go.

I knew it.

Hey, Mick, you know where we're going?

Yep.

Yeah, how do you know that?

Call the hunch.

Hey, there's the water right there.

Yeah!

Woo!

All right, huh? Look at that.

Yeah.

All right. There it is, yo!

Good job, guys.

Real good job.

Okay.

That's good.

Yeah. I'll give you a hand with that.

That's right, man.

Check it out.

Put it back a little more. Get that wood over here.

Nothing caught.

Appreciate it, Rancher.

How's that report coming, Mr. Dobbs?

Well, it's not over yet, Rancher.

You got about 23 hours to get this group back to Camp Justice.

Look at this group.

a very long time.

You guys

stay here.

What can I do for you, fella?

What you can do is you can get that bunch of trash out of the woods.

Hey, why don't you men get back in your jeep and drive on out of here?

Shut up, boy. No one's talking to you.

You shouldn't have done that.

Oh, no?

Yo,

man, you think we should help him?

Think they need him?

No.

Man, I'm sure I'm glad Walker didn't get that mad at us.

I'm serious.

And there's a park range location about three miles from here.

I'm gonna go fill out a report.

Okay, we'll finish breaking camp.

Trevette, I'll go with you.

You guys must break camp. Yes, sir.

Thank you, Walker.

Where'd you get that?

Gimme that.

Alright,

boys.

Time to go.

You okay, Ranger Walker?

Yeah.

Who hit me?

Mad Dog.

Where is he? He's right there, sir.

He stole that gun I showed you from that jeep those guys were in.

He wanted to break out, and he wanted us to go with him.

But we didn't.

Why not?

Well, we just remembered what you said about making all those smart choices and

all that.

What's going on?

Mad Dog hit Ranger Walker in the back of the head.

And then wanted us all to break out with him. But then the hornet walked over

there and, bam, dropped him like a bad habit.

Then we tied him to that tree right there.

No, get in the way. Get in. Go, go, go.

Watch, watch. There he is.

Malari.

Malari. There he is. There he is. Okay, stop.

Don't move.

Bone's broken.

I saw a chopper pad back at the park ranger station. I'll call for MedVac.

Okay.

Choices and consequences, man.

Yeah. Once you're paying any attention... We're gonna have to carry

Carry him?

Can't we just shoot?

Luther? Party's over, Ranger.

What do you mean?

I told you from the beginning this wasn't going to work.

Now I'm pulling the plug.

You can't do that, Commissioner.

You don't have the authority.

The committee gave Ranger Walker six weeks.

He has six more hours.

We set a goal, Commissioner.

We're going to finish it.

You're talking about a 20 -mile hike.

It's impossible.

We won't know that. Yeah?

Unless we try it, sir.

That's right, man.

Let's do it. All right, then.

Bet you better be back before five, but this program is a failure.

And you all know what that means.

Let's go.

Let's do it.

Five o 'clock.

They failed.

With all due respect, Senator, I knew this wouldn't work.

Listen.

There they are.

The impossible has been accomplished.

Congratulations, Ranger Walker.

Thank you, Senator.

We did it,

Dobbs.

Congratulations, Ranger.

Welcome to Huntsville Prison.

Choices and consequences, man.

Won't you pay any attention?

Unshackle him.

My name is Luther Dobbs.

I'm the commanding officer at Camp Justice.

For the next six weeks, you men will have an opportunity,

an opportunity to work as a team.

An opportunity to prove yourself as an individual.

An opportunity to turn your life around.

Rule.

Simple. Do what you're told when you're told.

Follow orders and there won't be any problem.

Move on out.

That's what life is all about, people.

Making the smart choices, not the fast choices or the easy choices.

Making the smart choices.

That's what life is all about.

When you're in Texas, look behind you.

Because that's where the Rangers are going to be.