1. What is the #AIRS Campaign?

The #AIRS Campaign (Advocacy for Incarcerated Reality Show Ethics) is a coalition dedicated to ending the exploitation of incarcerated individuals in reality TV shows, like 60 Days In. These programs sensationalize prison life, perpetuate harmful stereotypes, and exploit participants without proper compensation. Our mission is to advocate for justice, dignity, and ethical media practices.

2. Why are reality TV shows about prisons harmful?

Reality TV shows such as 60 Days In are harmful because they:

• Exploit Participants: Incarcerated individuals featured are unpaid and treated as “unprotected labor,” with no say in how their stories are portrayed.

• Distort Reality: They focus on sensationalism, ignoring systemic issues like poverty, systemic racism, and lack of access to mental health care.

• Reinforce Stereotypes: These shows perpetuate negative depictions of incarcerated people, furthering stigma and public misconceptions.

• Normalize Harm: They create the illusion of a functional and fair prison system, reducing the perceived need for reform.

3. What are the goals of the #AIRS Campaign?

The #AIRS Campaign seeks to:

1. End Exploitative Content: Abolish prison-based reality TV shows that profit from suffering.

2. Promote Fair Compensation: Ensure incarcerated individuals featured in media are paid at least minimum wage, with their full consent.

3. Support Reintegration: Advocate for a fund where 50% of the earnings from such shows are reserved for participants' post-release support.

4. Foster Media Accountability: Urge networks to promote ethical, reform-focused programming rather than sensationalized narratives.

4. How does 60 Days In profit from exploitation?

A&E spends approximately $375,000 per episode of 60 Days In and earns around $42 million annually from the show. However, participants—many of whom are incarcerated individuals—receive no compensation. Meanwhile, facilities like Clark County Jail have received as little as $60,000, showcasing the glaring financial disparities.

5. Who watches 60 Days In?

According to our report, The Exploitation of Incarcerated Populations in 60 Days In and A&E Network:

• 15% of viewers are aged 18-49, with a near-even split between men and women.

• Viewers aged 18-34 comprise 7%, with more women (17%) than men (5%) in this group.

• Those aged 50 and older make up 26% of the audience.

• The show airs in over 100 countries, amplifying its global reach and impact.

These statistics reveal how deeply these programs influence public perceptions, often reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

6. How can I support the #AIRS Campaign?

You can support the campaign in the following ways:

• Sign Our Petition: Join the call to end exploitative reality TV shows.

• Share the Campaign: Use the hashtag #AIRS on social media to spread awareness.

• Donate: Help fund our advocacy efforts to combat media exploitation.

• Engage: Attend our rallies, screenings, or educational webinars.

• Contact Networks: Send letters or emails to networks like A&E, demanding ethical programming.

7. Why is the #AIRS Campaign urgent now?

Since the early 2000s, over 20 reality TV shows have exploited prison themes, normalizing incarceration and reinforcing the prison-industrial complex. These programs harm participants, distort public perceptions, and undermine the need for reform. With the growing audience reach of shows like 60 Days In (airing in 100+ countries), now is the time to act against this exploitation.

8. Who Does the #AIRS Campaign Collaborate With?

The #AIRS Campaign works alongside a coalition of organizations and advocates from 29 states, all focused on criminal justice reform and media accountability. Some of our partner organizations include:

• Incarcerated Nation Network Inc: A collective supporting programs and campaigns led by formerly incarcerated individuals to combat mass incarceration.

• Freedom Agenda: Advocating for policy reforms and systemic changes to reduce incarceration and promote community-based alternatives.

• Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN): Supporting formerly incarcerated individuals in achieving academic success and advancing justice reform.

• Look 2 Justice: Empowering communities impacted by incarceration through education and civic engagement.

9. What resources does the #AIRS Campaign provide?

• Educational Reports: Our report, The Exploitation of Incarcerated Populations in 60 Days In and A&E Network, details how these shows distort reality and exploit incarcerated individuals.

• Toolkits: Resources for contacting networks, signing petitions, and advocating for ethical media.

• Documentaries: We showcase real stories that highlight the humanity and complexity of incarcerated individuals.

• Advocacy Support: Guidance for individuals and organizations looking to get involved.

Join the Movement: A Call to Action

The fight to end the exploitation of incarcerated individuals in reality TV is a fight for justice, dignity, and human rights. By supporting the #AIRS Campaign, you stand against a system that profits from suffering and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Take Action Today:

• Sign the Petition: Urge networks like A&E to stop exploitative programming.

• Donate: Support our advocacy efforts and help amplify the voices of those impacted.

• Spread the Word: Share #AIRS Campaign resources and educate others.

Together, we can dismantle the prison-television complex and create a more ethical media landscape.