As the commentator before me pointed out, this certainly isn't a 360°-degree study of the US justice system. The description is misleading and/or exaggerated; I don't know if a movie or series could even do a complete analysis of any social sphere, given their inherent complexities and intricacies.
But the previous commentator was also a wee bit overhasty, what with just two episodes out. So I want to give you a more thorough account.
While the show goes back to Juvie a lot, even in later episodes, this is not a bad thing: between normal teenage risk behaviour, serious and widespread juvenile delinquency and overcrowded prisons, this is a supremely relevant aspect, and one should want to know how the adults working in the system try to find solutions to it (two of which are prevention and rehabilitation).
But the show is quite balanced and nuanced in general; it has its casuistic approach, meaning it presents individual cases from a specific location which together form a fresco of the inner workings of the justice system, and which can to a certain extent be considered representative nationwide. Without going into detail, issues related to racism, classism, poverty, violence against women, ableism, mental disorder, drug abuse, trauma, education, etc are adressed, as is the question how they not only play a big role in the everyday life in society but also in the total institutions of the judicial apparatus.
Concerning the different defendants, the focus is less on whether they are guilty or innocent - I believe most are both - than on the fights they battle and the plights they go through inside the wheels of the system. On one thing though the show is very straightforward: they are clearly portraying these individuals as victims of said system, regardless of the (severity of the) crimes they committed. You may disagree, but knowing the dehumanizing side of prison, there's definitely some truth to it.
In conclusion, the series may not be 360°, but it is, in its own way, and as social commentary, pretty complete and quite insightful.
But the previous commentator was also a wee bit overhasty, what with just two episodes out. So I want to give you a more thorough account.
While the show goes back to Juvie a lot, even in later episodes, this is not a bad thing: between normal teenage risk behaviour, serious and widespread juvenile delinquency and overcrowded prisons, this is a supremely relevant aspect, and one should want to know how the adults working in the system try to find solutions to it (two of which are prevention and rehabilitation).
But the show is quite balanced and nuanced in general; it has its casuistic approach, meaning it presents individual cases from a specific location which together form a fresco of the inner workings of the justice system, and which can to a certain extent be considered representative nationwide. Without going into detail, issues related to racism, classism, poverty, violence against women, ableism, mental disorder, drug abuse, trauma, education, etc are adressed, as is the question how they not only play a big role in the everyday life in society but also in the total institutions of the judicial apparatus.
Concerning the different defendants, the focus is less on whether they are guilty or innocent - I believe most are both - than on the fights they battle and the plights they go through inside the wheels of the system. On one thing though the show is very straightforward: they are clearly portraying these individuals as victims of said system, regardless of the (severity of the) crimes they committed. You may disagree, but knowing the dehumanizing side of prison, there's definitely some truth to it.
In conclusion, the series may not be 360°, but it is, in its own way, and as social commentary, pretty complete and quite insightful.