60 Days In joins the plethora of reality TV shows to have their authenticity question. The show chronicles the lived experiences of volunteers trading their normal lives to live as cellmates in jails across the United States. As any viewer would imagine, the docuseries aims to present life behind the bars. From police treatment to interpersonal relationships with other prisoners, 60 Days In documents the reality of the prisoners as well as the newfound insight the volunteers share about their experiences.

60 Days In… At a Glance

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The show was conjured up by Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, who stated that he wanted to bring “innocent participants into the system to provide first-hand unbiased intelligence.” What came out of the series was an earnest exploration of the incarceration process and the various methods inmates use to cope with being in jail.

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Seven volunteers were placed in an Indiana jail with a population of a little over 500 inmates. The corrections officers and the existing inmates were not aware of the study and as a result, several insightful conclusions were made.

When the Scripts Sneak Into 60 Days In

So just how much of 60 Days In is scripted?

The premise alone is appealing enough, and the seven seasons are proof enough. The show prides itself on contributing to the larger discussion of prison reform in the United States. But how much of the events in each season are doctored if any?

Robert Holcomb, a previous participant, did not take too kindly to the portrayal of the inmates in the jail. After his stint on the show, he was branded as the villain of the season, something he ascribes to editing, telling Radar, “the show is real, but the editing is fake.” Under the search bar on YouTube, there are clips and compilations of Rob “being grilled” or “in danger” of being jumped by inmates.

Holcomb claims that production tried to make the inmates “look like animals,” contributing to an already existing issue in the criminal system. Regardless of their charges, prisoners face worrying levels of dehumanization. In his account, Rob explained that the inmates he stayed with were “respectable humans” and “kind human beings suffering from drug problems,” who would fare better in rehabilitation rather than imprisonment. They allegedly gifted Rob with magazines, books, computer time, and pens during his stay.

Rob’s experience in jail has inspired him to create opportunities for at least three orphans in Haiti and write a book aimed at helping children educate their children adequately.

It’s Reality TV, Not Reality… Right?

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The validity of reality television has always been in question since its inception. While most viewers are aware of production and scheduling, there is also another side to reality television that people do not consider. A lot of reality shows have producers who, for better or worse, meddle in the filming of the show (something the incredibly dark series Unreal brilliantly explored). The relationships between cast members may be filled with genuine emotions, but confrontations may be contrived.

Another reality television show, The Circle, saw backlash for the obvious meddling on production’s behalf. Former cast mates have admitted that even the tensest moments of the show were a product of those behind the scenes. For example, the on-screen rivalry between James and Manrika was stoked by the flames of producers who thought it was a better idea to have James and Manrika meet rather than James and Dot, a rendezvous the former admittedly preferred from the beginning.

The same could be said for the biggest British reality television series at the moment. Season four of Love Island was allegedly rife with scheming, as Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham would have obstacles thrown in their direction by producers rather than having their relationship documented authentically. One obstacle included an ex-girlfriend ‘mysteriously’ arriving at the island.

The fallout from the episode led to over 2,500 complaints being sent in after cameras displayed a “distraught Dyer.” Luckily, the couple was able to rebound from that specific conundrum, and yet it calls into question how useful production manipulation is if it does not even create alluring television.

When Reality TV Gets Real

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The exception to the rule is the international hit Big Brother, where 24/7 live streams allow viewers to pop in anytime they want to see the events of the season for themselves. Regardless of where you are in the world, it is not uncommon for fans to share clips and events from the live stream. It is because of those streams that Big Brother takes over social media and produces multiple fan favorites.

Despite the various levels of manipulation and behind-the-scenes directing, reality television can be entertaining. More so, reality television can spark incredible discussions about interpersonal relationships and how they are impacted by various entities in their environment. Whether reality television is real or not is a very important discussion to have, touching on the ways in which we are manipulated by culture, sold lies by powerful people and companies, and even what the nature of reality actually is. The legitimacy of reality television as a foundation for greater discussions rather than the focal point of greater discussions might help shift the way viewers perceive reality TV and decide what steps are necessary to take in order to prioritize the safety of the cast mates and the honesty of art.