The in jail footage of the participants is absolutely riveting. Exposes the real weakness of the American jail program in a forum that is eye opening and sickening. The problem with this series lies in two places:
1. Dan Abrams (seriously? THIS guy?!??) and the scripted, season ending participant questions completely devalues and devalidates the potentially influential potential of this program. I get it - it's A&E so it's about money.
2. The 'oh golly' sheriff, his idiot captain and the token black, female psychologist deflect and divert the blame/responsibility so it's not their fault thus not addressing raw sewage, shower fights and contraband drugs. It's infuriating to watch and listen to these tools knowing they have an opportunity to make real change. Instead the 7 inmates either didn't listen to or went against their 'professional' advice.
All in all, it's a good show but I found myself gaining a growing dislike for the prison system and Dan Abrams - who was already a laughable tool.
The payoff which has the potential to be HUGE - as in, system changing huge - turns out to be just another soulless reality show disguised as a 'we really want to implement change' front; all in the name of money. At the expense of the REAL inmates who need REAL HELP.
A&E missed a major opportunity.
2. The 'oh golly' sheriff, his idiot captain and the token black, female psychologist deflect and divert the blame/responsibility so it's not their fault thus not addressing raw sewage, shower fights and contraband drugs. It's infuriating to watch and listen to these tools knowing they have an opportunity to make real change. Instead the 7 inmates either didn't listen to or went against their 'professional' advice.
All in all, it's a good show but I found myself gaining a growing dislike for the prison system and Dan Abrams - who was already a laughable tool.
The payoff which has the potential to be HUGE - as in, system changing huge - turns out to be just another soulless reality show disguised as a 'we really want to implement change' front; all in the name of money. At the expense of the REAL inmates who need REAL HELP.
A&E missed a major opportunity.