Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Reality prison expose is absorbing but ethically dicey.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
60 Days In
What's the Story?
Concerned about corruption in the Clark County, Indiana prison system, Sheriff Jamey Noel has launched a new program intended to root out the rotten apples: a group of seven innocent people will spend 60 DAYS IN. In jail, that is, with a teacher, a marine, a social worker, a stay-at-home mom and three others sent to separate locations, all undercover as offenders. Participants will live in the prisons as prisoners, while show producers film goings-on under the guise of producing a documentary. It's dangerous work, but those undertaking it hope that ultimately their participation will help their community's jails run better.
Is It Any Good?
Scary and interesting if a bit ethically suspect, this show satisfies the curiosity of non-offenders, who might wonder, "how would I handle it if I were imprisoned?" Watching the innocent mingle with the (presumed) guilty, however, has a side-effect: the viewer is complicit in a lie, since prisoners who appear on the show are told that they're being filmed for a "documentary." Were they told that it would be shown on national television and appear more as a reality show? We are shown the inmates signing releases, but not their informed consent, which adds a sleazy and unwelcome layer to this program. Nonetheless, it's absorbing enough, generally centering on the kind of drama that prison shows, reality or scripted, tend to center on: fights, people screaming, arguments over scarce resources, furtive prison sex. It may scare teens straight, but adults won't learn anything new.
Talk to Your Kids 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?
Were you surprised to see real people doing drugs onscreen during 60 Days In? At what age is it OK for a teen to watch movies or TV shows with drug use?
Do you know any other reality shows that focus on the criminal justice system. Why are shows set in prisons entertaining or interesting to viewers?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 10, 2016
- Cast : Jamey Noel
- Network : A&E
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 28, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate