Behind Bars: Rookie Year

The minute a rookie corrections officer steps onto the tier for the first time, he or she becomes a target to some of the most hardened career criminals.

Gangs are the number one threat to maintaining order at PNM. Members are organized, loyal and often violent.

Inmates are called convicts for good reason. Once inside, they have nothing but time to conjure up ingenious ways to hide contraband and manipulate COs.

Violence is a way of life in prison and the threat of it keeps both COs and inmates on constant alert. Zach investigates a fight while Keith deals with unstable and violent inmates.

Most of PNM's inmates are serving long-term sentences for violent crimes, and for many it's drugs that help them get through the time.

With a few months on the line under their belts, the rookies are beginning to understand the harsh realities of their new careers.

An inmate walks off a work detail; Ariel is assigned to PNM's worst inmates; Keith decides it's time for a change; Andrew and Mangin form a partnership; a former CO tries to get his job back.