The Squad: Prison Police

Review

Common Sense Media says

Tennessee prison reality docu is graphic and violent.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality series comes with a warning about extremely graphic and violent content, and it proves well-earned; scenes include rough gang fights, stabbings (with open wounds visible), and more. Drug smuggling is regularly discussed, and confiscated illegal narcotics are frequently visible. Curses like “s--t” and “f--k” are used frequently but bleeped. While the series is intended to showcase the hard work of the prison police, it also sends a pretty bleak message about the illegal activities that take place inside prison walls.

  • Positive messages0
    The series highlights the hard and dangerous work that prison police do to keep prisons under control, but that's overshadowed by the the overwhelming problems that law enforcement has when it comes to controlling illegal activities behind prison walls.
  • Positive role models2
    The prison police put their lives on the line to control the prison population and investigate crimes. The special agents are a diverse group of men and women. On the down side, in one episode a prison guard is arrested for supplying drugs to inmates.
  • Violence5
    Frequent gang violence. Graphic images of inmates yelling, screaming, threatening, and attacking one another with shanks and other homemade weapons. Guns are consistently visible (and occasionally drawn). Stab wounds and other injuries are sometimes visible. It's understood that some felons are in prison for violent sexual crimes, but these crimes aren’t discussed.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language3
    Words like "hell" are audible; stronger cursing (“f--k,” “s--t,” etc.) is bleeped.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking4
    The majority of the prison's problems are fueled by drugs and drug-related crimes. Images of illegal narcotics and homemade syringes being confiscated. An officer is accused  (and subsequently found guilty) of illegal drug trafficking with prisoners. Prison police sometimes post as drug smugglers to catch criminals.
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What's the story?

THE SQUAD: PRISON POLICE follows special agents who respond to and investigate crimes in Tennessee prisons. Cameras follow Deputy Director Jerry Lester as he leads the prison police team, which includes Special Agent in Charge Jason Woodall, undercover operations expert Special Agent John Fisher, gang expert Sergeant Nicky Jordan, drug expert Sergeant Valerie Hampton, and Special Agent Joe England. Agents Donan Clark, Scott Miller, and Richard Metcalfe round out the group. Together they work to solve cases involving gang attacks, drug smuggling, and other illegal activities taking place inside some of the state’s maximum-security prisons.

Is it any good?

 

This gritty series underscores the fact that prison police squads regularly put their lives on the line to control over-crowded prisons. It also highlights the violent culture of state prison systems and the high level of illegal activity that takes place in them.

It’s interesting, but it also offers some troubling messages. Despite reminders that people are innocent until proven otherwise, the squad members consistently suggest that the prisoners they're investigating are guilty. And, ultimately, the show paints a very grim picture of law enforcement’s inability to control major crimes behind prison walls.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about reality shows that focus on law enforcement. What messages do they send?

  • Do you think showing the violent behavior of inmates and other illicit
    activities serves a purpose beyond being entertaining? If so, what?

  • What's the impact of the violence shown in this series? How does it compare to violence on a fictional series?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-14
Network:A&E
Cast:Jason Woodall, Jerry Lester, Nicky Jordan
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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