Tools for this page
Print

Locked Up Abroad

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Where to watch: National Geographic Channel, DVD)
  • 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 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Show about foreign jails could be cautionary for older kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    While some of the profiled people are innocent, most of them are, in fact, guilty, which is why they ended up in jail.
  • Violence:

    In the re-enactments, there are scenes of guards swinging down to strike someone, but you don't see the actual contact. There's no graphic violence.
  • Sex:

    Prisoners are stripped and lined up naked, with hands over their privates; sometimes bare buttocks are visible.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    There's drug use -- in fact, drugs and smuggling seem to be the catalyst for the majority of the cases profiled. That said, the fact that the people profiled get into so much trouble for it could be considered a deterrent.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Locked Up Abroad

Parents need to know that this series is about the brutality of foreign prisons, most of them in the Third World. While episodes occasionally involve crimes like kidnapping, the majority involve someone involved in selling or smuggling drugs. Re-enactments include some threats of violence, but nothing graphic is shown. Prisoners are sometimes stripped naked, but it's not sexual, and nothing too sensitive is visible.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the use of re-enactments to tell a true story. Sometimes it's hard to tell the re-enacted story from the video footage of the arrest; in that case, what purpose do the re-enactments serve? Also, does this show encourage fear about other countries? The show doesn't mention the millions of tourists who don't get into trouble in these places. Would you think twice about visiting some of these countries because of what you see here?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Locked Up Abroad?
  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name