Locked Up Abroad

I confess, I love watching "Locked Up Abroad" on the National Geographic channel.  I am fascinated with how seemingly normal people go from being law-abiding citizens to international drug smugglers practically overnight.  These folks are often strapped for cash and a friend or acquaintance asks if they want to make some quick money smuggling hash out of Thailand (or something like that).  It's amazing how fast a person can just turn into a criminal.  In every case, the smuggler knows what he or she is doing is wrong, yet the person still does it!  Then, if the smugglers are able to actually get away with their smuggling once or twice, they often get addicted to the thrill.  They beat the system, so they feel lucky.  But their luck always runs out and the next thing you know, they're in a Turkish prison (or some other foreign hell hole) for ten years (or more) and suffering through daily beatdown from their fellow inmates.  Being in an American prison, I suspect, is bad enough.  But being locked up abroad has got to be absolutely awful.  You don't speak the language, you don't understand the country's judicial system, you don't get a fair trial, and the US Consulate can't help you.  If you commit an illegal act in a foreign country, what is the United States supposed to do for you?  I guess they can contact your family back in the States and tell them you're locked up abroad!