The #AIRS Campaign demands action from A&E Networks' President Paul Buccieri and A&E Leadership to halt the production and broadcast of exploitative reality shows like "60 Days In." Our goal is to mobilize against the Prison Television Complex. We're targeting networks such as MSNBC, A&E, and Netflix, opposing controversial Incarcerated Reality Shows including "60 Days In," "Behind Bars," "LockUp," "Jailbirds New Orleans," and "Girl Incarcerated Young And Locked Up." The coalition comprises Directly Impacted Leaders, Film Writers, and organizations like America On Trial Inc., A Little Piece Of Light, New Hour For Women & Children L.I, Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition (H.C.H.C.), and Seed Of Liberation.
Key objectives of the campaign are:
1. Organizing against A&E and pushing for the discontinuation of "60 Days In."
2. Shedding light on the lack of compensation for incarcerated participants, despite A&E's earnings of $42 million in 2016.
3. Advocating for fair compensation for the incarcerated population, directing profits towards reintegration programs, and holding networks accountable for perpetuating violence and stigma.
Why is this important?
- 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.
How it will be delivered
The #AIRS Campaign will distribute the petition via online platforms like Change.org and directly to A&E Networks' President and Leadership. Social media and email campaigns will also be used to amplify the message and encourage widespread signing and sharing. Our strategy aims to ensure broad reach and support for our cause.
