Over the past three years National Geographic Channel has gone inside some of America's toughest prisons. From profiling gang-life to what it is like for women who are locked up, Lockdown has been the leader of showing what real life is like on the inside. Sunday's premiere of Lockdown: County Jails is another chapter in the story of the United States' prison system.

Throughout this series we have heard your opinions, listened to your stories, and watched the debate of this very controversial sub-culture of our society. Below are responses from viewers from all walks of life reacting to the show. The channel appreciates the dialogue and hopes for it to continue. Comment here or e-mail us your thoughts directly at comments@Natgeochannel.com with Lockdown Reaction in the subject line.

Greetings to everyone. I was delighted to see these Officers doing the job of law enforcement that most people don't get to see. Why? Because these things take place behind the walls. I was as a Correction Officer in New York City and worked on Riker's Island. I am retired due to a line of duty injury. Only the family of this officers have any idea of the stress that they endure on a daily basis. For the most part they don't talk about it. So please give thanks to these brave officers for the guts they have to deal with these inmates. They deal with the worst of our society. They see and experience things most of the people on the outside do not see and deal with. - C/O Rodriguez

I enjoy the show; it gives the public an idea of how life is in prison. I had the misfortune of doing time in a men’s prison for a drug violation. First off, the few luxuries you see inmates with they bought themselves. All the State gives you is clothes, 3 [pots] and a cot. Every thing else is purchased thru commissary. Even the T.V. they watch. A heavy price is paid in day after day of the same poor food quality. Constant boredom. Huge over crowding, bad smells. Indifferent staff, it is an all around nightmare if you are caught up in it. My biggest beef was the over crowding, three men to a cell that in the past 1 man would groan about. So don't be thinking it’s a tip toe in the tulips... The US has the most people in prison in the harshest of conditions of any where in the world. Other countries still treat there prisoners with dignity. Here you are just a number, no rehabilitation; just warehouse them in the US. – Jeff

I only read a little bit cus' it reminded me of my time in jail, it wasn't prison but I do agree it's a world within a world, each time I was locked up in a Maine jail, I honestly didn't know how long I was gonna be there. Nothing could compare to those questions and regrets that I still holed in my every action this may not be accepted but this is my thought – Manda

I watched your lockdown women behind bars, and was appalled at the fact those women have jewelry on, common clothes, and deal drugs with these bartering type things as if they were on the street. IT MAKES ME SICK! What a waste of good taxpayer’s money. And what a way of putting prisoners life in worse danger. – Dawn