Parents' Guide to

Prison Diaries

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Female inmate stories are both violent and sensational.

TV TLC Reality TV 2011
Prison Diaries Poster Image

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What's the Story?

PRISON DIARIES features female inmates talking about their crimes while sitting behind bars. The women offer first-person accounts of what they did, as well as explanations for their criminal behavior. Interviews of law enforcement officials, legal representatives, and reporters who are familiar with their cases round out the details, while the families of both the inmates and their victims share their thoughts and feelings. Adding to the drama are blurry recreations of the moments the crimes were committed, as well as excerpts of police recordings and other key events that took place during the investigation.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The docuseries explores the criminal minds of these women by allowing them to tell their stories from their point of view. It also highlights many of the bad choices they made throughout their lives that led them to prison.

Thanks to the endless (and graphic) accounts of the violent crimes they committed, the series is more sensational than informative. But folks who like this sort of thing may find it interesting.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about television shows that feature convicted criminals. Is giving inmates the media spotlight to discuss the crimes they've committed appropriate? Why or why not? Are viewers supposed to be entertained by their stories, or are they supposed to treat them as cautionary tales?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: September 27, 2011
  • Cast: Stew Herrera
  • Network: TLC
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-14
  • Last updated: February 25, 2022

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