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Explore the controversial history of Tent City Jail in this 16-minute documentary from IT'S HISTORY. Delve into the rise and fall of this infamous outdoor prison established in 1993 by Sheriff Joe Arpaio in the Arizona desert, where inmates endured temperatures exceeding 145°F (62°C) without air conditioning while housed in Korean War military tents. Examine the polarizing perspectives surrounding this facility—viewed by supporters as an effective tough-on-crime approach and by critics as a human rights violation comparable to a concentration camp. Discover the brutal conditions, forced chain gangs, and psychological punishments that sparked protests, lawsuits, and national debates during its 24-year existence. Learn why this controversial facility was finally shut down in 2017 despite costing millions more than anticipated, and consider its lasting impact on America's prison system. Hosted by Ryan Socash with script by Sebastian Ripoll and editing by Ibrahim Yansaneh.
