The presenter explores different aspects of American life, beginning by meeting girls who are preparing to face time in 'Shock' - the country's only prison boot camp for women, and spends time in a medium security jail to see what they will have to face if they don't succeed.

The host follows young South Americans who risk their lives by hiking for five days in ferocious heat to cross illegally into the USA. Stacey also gains unique access to the smuggling operation with the help of a local priest.

Stacey Dooley travels to America to explore the bittersweet world of open adoption. The majority of private adoptions in America are 'open', and encourage birth parents to pick the adoptive parents themselves and to stay in touch with their child as they grow up.