Volunteers pose as inmates in new documentary series
Image from the 60 Days In Facebook page.
Seven people who wanted to get first-hand experience of life in jail agreed to spend 60 days as undercover inmates in a new documentary series for the A&E Network.
The show, 60 Days In, was filmed at the Clark County Jail in Jeffersonville, Indiana, report the Associated Press, the Courier-Journal, Deadline Hollywood and Inside Edition. The first episode will air on March 10.
None of the seven volunteers was in jail for a crime. They included a social worker who wanted to end gang violence; a former Marine who hoped to land a job in law enforcement; a teacher who wanted to illustrate the consequences of poor choices; and a man who wanted to know what jail was like for his incarcerated brother.
Inmates and guards thought the cameras were for a series on the experiences of first-time prisoners. They weren’t told that the “prisoners” were actually volunteers. Participants who needed to get out of a dangerous situation were counseled to use the safe phrase “I really miss the coffee” or to put a towel on their heads.
One volunteer prisoner dropped out after being punched by an inmate.
Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel said he agreed to the taping to gather information about jail problems such as contraband weapons. One revelation: The volunteers were told by other inmates that they couldn’t use the bathroom without paying a bribe.
Hat tip to Indiana Lawyer.
