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Jail
(Rated NR, Reality TV, Where to watch: MyNetworkTV)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Unflinching reality series from Cops team.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–18
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Jail
Parents need to know that this reality series offers an unflinching look at what happens when people are arrested -- and it's definitely not fun. The inmates are often drunk or high and frequently violent. They pick fights with each other, attack the guards, and, if they're alone in an isolation cell, may even bang their heads against the wall in sheer frustration. Though there's no audible bad language (just lots of bleeps), and not much actual bloodshed, there's a palpable sense of tension in every episode as the guards try to maintain control. This tense show definitely isn't for younger kids, but its shock value could act as an incentive for teens to toe the line.
Read our full review by Will Wade
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the criminal justice system. Lots of shows focus on the process of tracking down criminals, the court process, or the long years in prison. This is one of the few to look solely at the brief period between arrest and trial. How does jail differ from prison? What would be the worst part of being locked up? What is this show trying to accomplish? Also, how does this show compare to Cops, one of the original reality shows, which was created by the same people?
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