Girls Incarcerated
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Gritty, insightful prison docu has strong language, themes.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Girls Incarcerated
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
GIRLS INCARCERATED: YOUNG AND LOCKED UP is a documentary series that follows troubled young women serving time in the Indiana correctional system. Cameras follow the day-to-day lives of a group of young women who have been sent to the Madison Juvenile Detention Facility, a maximum level detention center, for offenses ranging from running away from home and addiction problems, to assault and armed robbery. Referred to as "students" while behind bars, the teens go to school, have recreation time, earn privileges, and try to learn ways to cope with anger, peer pressure, and other real-life challenges as they continue to grow into adulthood.
Is It Any Good?
This intense series tells the gritty stories of young women who find themselves serving time in a setting that is designed to both punish them for their wrong-doings, but still give them the skills and support necessary to be able to live better lives once released. While some of the students are able to function in a dorm-like setting and earn privileges while building these skills, others seem to be caught in a revolving door that keeps them from moving forward thanks to being unable to break free from old habits and behaviors. Many who are released inevitably find themselves back in the system thanks to being unable to follow probation rules, interacting with toxic family and friends, and an inability to build their own self-esteem.
Watching these students' ups and downs may prove interesting or entertaining, but many of their life stories, which include growing up with drug-addicted parents, enduring physical and sexual trauma, living in extreme poverty, and in some cases, being abandoned by family members altogether, are tragic. These narratives also underscore some of the larger societal issues that are contributing to their delinquency. But despite the compassion the Madison staff have for the students, their difficulties aren't framed as excuses for anti-social or criminal behavior. it's a complex reality, and one that Girls Incarcerated manages to capture from the point of view of those who live it every day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the reasons many of the students at Madison behave the way they do towards their peers, their teachers, and security staff. Does the way they act reflect how they feel inside? How do you manage your feelings in difficult situations?
What kinds of messages does Girls Incarcerated send about young women who end up serving time in juvenile correctional facilities?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 2, 2018
- Cast: Taryn Twine , Najwa Pollard , Brianna Guerra
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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