60 Days In

Seven everyday volunteers step into Indiana's Clark County Jail for a 60 day experiment, living among the general population while officers and staff remain unaware of their true identities. The premise drops these civilians into a real prison, cameras rolling as they adapt to a harsh social order, constant surveillance, and the unsettled rhythm of inmate life. They must blend in, manage food and housing, and navigate alliances and rivalries without tipping off guards. Over two tense months, the participants observe how power, fear, and loyalty shape behavior behind bars, offering a raw look at confinement from the inside and a mirror for those on the outside. Several volunteers from diverse backgrounds join, bringing varied motives and fears.

Produced in 2016 the series was created by Greg Henry and follows seven volunteers as they live undercover in Clark County Jail with Mike Smith appearing as Self, blending documentary realism with real time dilemmas on camera for the audience.

Though not a prize magnet, the show did not garner major awards or nominations. Critics acknowledged the provocative look at confinement and ethics while noting questions about volunteers emotional welfare and the line between documentary and manipulated reality. It sparked debate across forums and households.

It helped reshape some viewers expectations of reality TV by presenting a real life inside a prison without edits to hide discomfort. The format raised questions about inmate humanity, power structures, and the ethics of voyeuristic entertainment in modern TV culture. It also captures quiet moments of doubt and resolve.

Critics highlighted themes of isolation, loyalty, and adaptation under pressure, noting that the volunteers chemistry and risk taking kept the show tense even when the premise stretched credibility. The series sits at the intersection of social experiment and documentary style reality TV. It leaves viewers pondering real reality TV ethics.