A&E locks in jail docu-series format

A+E Networks plans to launch a docu-series in which innocent civilians spend time in jail, in more than 100 territories.

60 Days In debuts on A&E in US cable on March 17 in a weekly 10pm slot, launching internationally in the same month.

The twelve-part series will see seven people give up their freedom and live among the general population of Clark County Jail in Jeffersonville, Indiana, a prison that has made headlines for corruption. Sheriff Jamey Noel devised the incarceration programme for the show.

The format comes from Lucky 8 TV, with Gregory Henry, Kimberly Woodard, Jeff Grogan, Elaine Frontain Bruant, Shelly Tatro, Drew Tappon and Brad Holcman executive producing.

“We are grateful to Sheriff Jamey Noel and the Clark County Jail for allowing our cameras to capture this unprecedented and trailblazing programme,” said Frontain Bryant, executive VP and head of programming for A&E.

“This provocative series will be an incredible addition the to rich non-fiction portfolio as the network continues to bring audiences cutting-edge immersive content.”

“After recently taking office, it was no secret that the Clark County Jail had problems and we needed to take quick control,” said Noel. “The only way to truly understand what was going on in the jail was to implement innocent participants into the system to provide first-hand unbiased intelligence.

“These brave volunteers helped us identify critical issues within our system that undercover officers would not have been able to find.”