Reality Behind Bars
Claim This Podcastby Ashley Scolaro & Carolyn Fisher
Podcast Overview
<p>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.</p><br><p><br></p><p>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.</p><br><p><br></p><p>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.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/8/2026
1 verified contact email on file for Reality Behind Bars
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Recent Episodes
July 2, 2026
Inmate to Roommate S1E8 (A&E, 2022)
<p>In this episode, Ashley and Carolyn break down Inmate to Roommate to Season 1 Episode 8 entitled “Rising Suspicions”. The episode begins with growing tensions between Tiffane and Ari as concerns about Ari's spending, partying, and decision-making reach a breaking point. The hosts discuss how unresolved trauma, immaturity, and substance use can complicate successful reentry after incarceration. Ashley and Carolyn also revisit DQ's journey as he reconnects with Dr. Henry after leaving his home. Their conversation highlights the importance of stability, mentorship, attachment, and support systems for young people transitioning back into society after incarceration. The discussion then turns to Nick's struggles with stress, alcohol use, and finding independence while living with Kyle and Sandra. Finally, the hosts examine the escalating conflict between Bill, Mark, and Sharna, raising questions about boundaries, trust, manipulation, and the responsibilities of those who volunteer to help formerly incarcerated individuals. To learn more about the Second Chance Act, you can read the 2018 report (<a href="https://csgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/July-2018_SCA_factsheet.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>) or the 2024 report (<a href="https://csgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/50-States-1-Goal_For-PDF_with508report.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>).</p><p>Visit our website <a href="https://www.realitybehindbars.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.realitybehindbars.com</a></p><p>Send us an email at realitybehindbars@gmail.com</p><p>Want to know more about the hosts? Check out our <a href="https://shows.acast.com/reality-behind-bars/episodes/meet-the-hosts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Meet the Hosts episode</a>.</p><p>Subscribe and leave a review!</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
June 30, 2026
60 Days In S2E8 (A&E, 2016)
<p>In this episode, Ashley and Carolyn break down 60 Days In Season 2 Episode 8 entitled “Institutional Knowledge”. The discussion begins with Ryan's move from D-Pod to C-Pod and the disruption caused when inmates are relocated. Carolyn shares how frequent transfers create anxiety, destabilize established social structures, and force incarcerated people to continually adapt to new environments. The hosts also examine the informal jail economy, including commissary trading and inmate run "stores," discussing how debt and status can influence relationships and contribute to conflict. Dion's adjustment to D-Pod highlights differences in pod culture, concerns about theft, and the mental toll of losing track of time while incarcerated. In F-Pod, correctional staff conduct multiple ineffective contraband searches leading Ashley and Carolyn to question how certain enforcement practices may unintentionally increase tensions inside a pod. The episode concludes with a discussion of sanitation issues after a sewage backup disrupts F-Pod, highlighting another often-overlooked challenge of incarceration: emergency preparedness.</p><p>Visit our website <a href="https://www.realitybehindbars.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.realitybehindbars.com</a></p><p>Send us an email at realitybehindbars@gmail.com</p><p>Want to know more about the hosts? Check out our <a href="https://shows.acast.com/reality-behind-bars/episodes/meet-the-hosts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Meet the Hosts episode</a>.</p><p>Subscribe and leave a review!</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
June 25, 2026
Inmate to Roommate S1E7 (A&E, 2022)
<p>In this episode, Ashley and Carolyn break down Inmate to Roommate to Season 1 Episode 7 entitled “Doors Locked”. Jovan’s explosive late-night return to Artie’s house leaves Artie with no choice but to lock him out. Nick is tested when Kyle and Sandra party hard during Mardi Gras in St. Louis. Tiffane questions Ari’s true intentions after Ari makes some expensive purchases at a club. In Indiana, Bill’s trip to California escalates tensions with Mark and Sharna. Finally, Ashley and Carolyn also discuss the federal Second Chance Act, legislation designed to reduce recidivism and support successful reentry after incarceration. You can read more about the Second Chance Act by <a href="https://nationalreentryresourcecenter.org/second-chance-act" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</p><p>Visit our website <a href="https://www.realitybehindbars.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.realitybehindbars.com</a></p><p>Send us an email at realitybehindbars@gmail.com</p><p>Want to know more about the hosts? Check out our <a href="https://shows.acast.com/reality-behind-bars/episodes/meet-the-hosts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Meet the Hosts episode</a>.</p><p>Subscribe and leave a review!</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
38 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Reality Behind Bars?
<p>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.</p><br><p><br></p><p>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.</p><br><p><br></p><p>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.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
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