#AIRS Campaign
The #AIRS (#Abolish Incarcerated Reality Shows) campaign is dedicated to ending the practice of using prison and jail reality TV shows as a form of entertainment that capitalizes on the hardships incarcerated individuals face. Our goal is to combat exploitation and restore the dignity of those who have been sensationalized and monetized through reality television. This exploitation not only contributes to the social stigma surrounding them but also hinders their opportunities for reintegration into their communities after release.
“Many Americans are captivated by films and television programs about crime and the criminal justice system, mainly about jails and prisons. However, most Americans have yet to experience firsthand experience with a real prison and jail or access information on the lives of incarcerated detainees, according to When the Viewer Goes to Prison: learning Facts from Watching Fiction Study.”
Television and movies heavily influence public perceptions of prison life, often portraying dramatized and stereotypical depictions.
Despite being fictional, these shows can significantly impact viewers' perceptions and even shape public policy opinions.
Institutional racism is evident in the overrepresentation of African Americans and Latinx individuals in the prison population.
Reality shows exploit violence for entertainment, reinforcing negative stereotypes about prison life.
These shows are easily accessible on popular streaming platforms, contributing to their widespread influence on societal attitudes.
How much does “60 days” cost to run?
"60 Days In" became the top new reality series on cable in 2016, boasting 1.5 million viewers aged 25-54.
A former reality TV producer revealed on Reddit that A&E budgets approximately $375,000 per episode for the show, with individuals portraying inmates reportedly earning about $3,000 per episode.
Since its premiere on March 10, 2016, "60 Days In" has aired 98 episodes across seven seasons, generating an estimated $36 million in revenue, none of which has benefited the incarcerated participants.
Despite generating around $42 million in total revenue, the incarcerated individuals involved in the show receive no wages.
The Clark County Sheriff disclosed plans to use the $60,000 received from A&E for training and equipment upgrades, with the show agreeing to reimburse the county for the representative's base salary and overtime costs related to filming.
“What is wrong with “60 Days In”?
Cultural Industry Emergence: The convergence of the prison-industrial complex and neoliberalism gave rise to the prison as a cultural industry. During the 1980s, state and private sector partnerships capitalized on draconian penal policies, leading to a proliferation of prisons and prison culture.
Entertainment Trends: Since the early 2000s, U.S. television has embraced incarceration as a theme for nonfiction entertainment. Programs like "60 Days In" leverage the enclosed spaces and disciplinary tactics of real-life prisons for dramatic storytelling.
Television Programming Landscape: Various reality-based law enforcement programs preceded the surge of prison-themed entertainment. Shows like "COPS" paved the way for a multitude of programs focused on incarceration, showcasing aspects of prison life to audiences.
The Premise of "60 Days In": The series introduces volunteers who undergo undercover imprisonment to gather intelligence on "crime and corruption" within the institution. Each season features a diverse cast, including activists, skeptics, and aspiring law enforcement professionals.
Incarceration as Entertainment: "60 Days In" transforms the harsh realities of prison life into captivating entertainment. While viewers are promised a glimpse into the stark realities of incarceration, the series also highlights the normalization of prison as a cultural phenomenon.
Prison Labor Exploitation: Incarcerated individuals serve as both setting and cast members for television productions, contributing to the profitability of the prison-industrial complex. Their unpaid labor generates value for both the prison and media companies.
Partnerships and Profit: TV production companies collaborate with penal institutions, benefiting from subsidized filming locations and access to prison resources. Strategic partnerships, such as with tech companies, further monetize the prison as a site for cultural production.
Involvement of Prison Officials: Prison officials play active roles in crafting and marketing reality television programs. They contribute to storyline development, monitor filming activities, and engage in promotional efforts to enhance the series' visibility and brand value.
Social Media Integration: "60 Days In" extends its reach through social media platforms, encouraging audience participation and interaction. Viewers become part of the narrative, contributing to the circulation of common-sense knowledge about incarceration.
Micro-Celebrity and Entrepreneurialism: Participants and prison officials capitalize on their involvement in the show, seeking increased visibility and career opportunities. Their engagement with social and digital media platforms aligns with the entrepreneurial logic of carceral capitalism.
Mutually Beneficial Participation: The promise of reality television offers participants the chance to leverage their media exposure for personal gain. For some, participation serves as a stepping stone to careers in law enforcement or corrections, reinforcing the narrative of self-enterprise under neoliberalism.
The primary objective of the #AIRS Campaign is to put an end to the existence of incarcerated reality TV shows that not only capitalize on the experiences of those in prison but also to combat the exploitation of incarcerated individuals. We aim to shift the dialogue surrounding mass incarceration and advocate for the following reforms.
As long as incarcerated people are depicted on the programs with their fullest consent, all incarcerated people on these reality shows must be compensated at a rate no less than minimum wage.
If an individual is incarcerated, 45% of funds earned by an incarcerated individual should be held in an Incarcerated People fund that provides these funds to individuals after they are released.
Producers and networks featuring these programs must donate a portion of their profits to non-profit programs that will directly assist incarcerated people’s return to society, such as re-entry, housing, vocational programs, etc.
Through our awareness campaign research projects, we fight to demand that producers and networks are held accountable for instigating acts of violence in facilities of incarceration and for influencing the stigmatization of incarcerated people.
#AIRS Webinar Event 10.25.23
America On Trial Inc. conducted an #AIRS Webinar on October 25th in collaboration with the #AIRS Coalition. This coalition is composed of Directly Impacted Leaders, Film Writers, and various organizations, including A Little Piece Of Light, New Hour For Women & Children, Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition (H.C.H.C.), Seed Of Liberation, Women Who Never Give Up, Inc., America On Trial Inc., and more. The primary aim of our webinar was to voice our demands and shed light on the reality series "60 Days Days In".
#AIRS Campaign Video TV Network Feeding Into Mass Incarceration
Don't miss our video exposing TV networks broadcasting reality shows about incarceration. This prison-televisual complex profits from and perpetuates the biopolitical process, aligning with carceral capitalism for entertainment, infiltrating penal institutions, and controlling marginalized populations. Abolishing incarcerated reality shows is crucial, which is why the #AIRS Campaign was launched.