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Reality Behind Bars

Reality Behind Bars

Written by: Ashley Scolaro & Carolyn Fisher
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Reality Behind Bars discusses incarceration by analyzing documentaries and reality television. Hosted by a college professor and a formerly incarcerated educator, the show aims to separate entertainment from reality.



Each episode examines popular shows about prison life—asking what they get right, what they get wrong, and what they leave out. Drawing on research, psychology, and lived experience, the hosts explore topics like incarceration, reentry, prison culture, criminal justice reform, and the real human impact of the system.



If you watch prison documentaries, follow true crime, or want a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system, Reality Behind Bars offers thoughtful analysis and honest conversations about the stories we’re told about life behind bars.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashley Scolaro & Carolyn Fisher
Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • 60 Days In S1E8 (A&E, 2016)
    Apr 7 2026

    For this episode, the hosts recap Season 1 Episode 8 of 60 Days In. From alarming health concerns in the women’s pod to a high-intensity raid in the men’s unit, this episode highlights the physical, emotional, and systemic challenges of incarceration. In F-Pod, black mold, possible lice exposure, and a severe untreated rash reveal deep cracks in the jail’s healthcare system thereby raising urgent questions about access, cost, and neglect. Meanwhile, Barbara’s strained family dynamics come into focus during a difficult visit, offering insight into how outside relationships shape the incarceration experience. Over in D-Pod, tensions rise as Zach and Isaiah endure a chaotic shakedown. The hosts break down the power dynamics, potential racial disparities in treatment, and the psychological toll of living under constant surveillance and control. The episode also follows Robert’s questionable “medical emergency” in segregation and Jeff’s final reflections in his exit interview both of which bring the conversation back to trauma, accountability, and the human cost of incarceration.

    Visit our website https://www.realitybehindbars.com

    Send us an email at realitybehindbars@gmail.com

    Want to know more about the hosts? Check out our Meet the Hosts episode.

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    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    45 mins
  • 60 Days In S1E7 (A&E, 2016)
    Apr 2 2026

    In this episode of Reality Behind Bars, Ashley and Carolyn break down Season 1, Episode 7 of 60 Days In which is an episode marked by escalating violence, shifting power dynamics, and the psychological toll of incarceration. The hosts examine Jeff’s breaking point after a violent assault, raising serious ethical questions about participant safety and production responsibility. They also explore the stark reality of segregation contrasting Jeff’s distressing experience with Robert’s questionable “paradise” narrative. As Zach and Isaiah are abruptly moved to a more volatile pod, the conversation turns to inmate hierarchy, survival strategies, and the unwritten social rules that govern life behind bars. Meanwhile, in the women’s pod, Tammy struggles with emotional triggers and isolation, while Barbara begins to confront the complexities of trust, attachment, and survival in a constantly shifting environment.

    Visit our website https://www.realitybehindbars.com

    Send us an email at realitybehindbars@gmail.com

    Want to know more about the hosts? Check out our Meet the Hosts episode.

    Subscribe and leave a review!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • The Reality of Solitary Confinement: Cycling and Re-entry Shocks
    Apr 1 2026

    What happens after someone leaves solitary confinement—and why does it matter? In this solo episode of Reality Behind Bars, Ashley dives into the second part of our academic series on solitary confinement, exploring new research on the psychological and social effects of repeated isolation in prison. Using a 2025 study from the British Journal of Criminology, this episode breaks down how cycling in and out of solitary confinement creates powerful “reentry shocks” that impact incarcerated individuals long after they leave isolation. From sensory overload and social anxiety to distorted perception of time and self, we explore the hidden consequences of solitary confinement and why current policies may be missing a critical piece of the puzzle. Click here for the article discussed in this episode (Augustine et al., 2025).

    Visit our website https://www.realitybehindbars.com

    Send us an email at realitybehindbars@gmail.com

    Want to know more about the hosts? Check out our Meet the Hosts episode.

    Subscribe and leave a review!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
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