6 Best Prison Shows and Docuseries on Netflix to Check Out

Netflix has dished out numerous prison shows and docu-series, showcasing and delving deep into the lives of inmates from varying demographics. The ones listed below, both reality TV and fictional, look at women, men, and teenage girls in correctional facilities.

Criminal justice has long been upheld within society, regardless of whether or not the system has been fair. With the emergence and ongoing evolution of TV and film, films and series have offered varying perspectives of the justice system.

Coming in the form of films or series, some look at crime from an authoritative angle, with a leading detective and other authoritative figures putting criminals behind bars. Others look at the lives of inmates to gauge how they steered into law-breaking.

The significance of these onscreen productions, most notably in raising awareness, has been studied, as they have received both praise and scrutiny. The ones on Netflix are no exception; however, there are still many worth checking out.

'Wentworth' (2013 – 2021)

Dubbed the Australian version of "Orange Is the New Black," with a graver tone, the award-winning series "Wentworth" follows Bea Smith, a female prisoner on remand, as she awaits to be tried for attempting to murder her husband.

Until then, Bea is forced to adapt to her new surroundings and associate with the right people to survive. The show starred Danielle Cormack as Bea (seasons one to four) alongside Kate Atkinson and Katrina Milosevic.

'Jailbirds' (2019)

A limited docu-series, "Jailbirds," immerses viewers into the lives of female inmates at the Sacramento County Jail. Many might assume that life is all but monotonous, violent, and dull within prison settings.

However, "Jailbirds" showcases that it can be just as multi-faceted as it is outside, with these women seeking companionship and a fighting chance — sometimes by any means — to make their lives better.

'Prison Playbook' (2017 – 2018)

A comedic take on prison life, "Prison Playbook" sees renowned baseball pitcher Kim Je-hyeok (Park Hae-soo) on the heels of a major turning point in his career as he's about to leave for the US to play for the Boston Red Sox.

But, just days before he departs, he becomes a convicted criminal after defending his sister from being sexually assaulted. Filled with hilarious moments as Kim adapts to a drastically new way of living, the series is also packed with emotionally hard-hitting moments.

'Girls Incarcerated' (2018 –)

Another docu-series, "Girls Incarcerated," follows the lives of teenage girls serving time at Madison Juvenile Center. As the show reveals, many of them come from troubled pasts, eventually turning to a life of crime from as young as 12.

Although being in a correctional facility during one's teen years can be daunting, "Girls Incarcerated" showed how the girls still got to celebrate little milestones like birthdays and graduations.

'I Am a Killer' (2018 – 2022)

For four seasons, "I Am a Killer" followed convicted killers who shared first-hand accounts of their crimes, recounting details including what transpired before, during, and after committing the murder.

Additionally, they talk about what motivated them to kill, how they imagined things would turn out, and how they see their actions from behind bars. Each episode is dedicated to a single prisoner.

'Orange Is the New Black' (2013 – 2019)

Piper Chapman is a law-abiding citizen, but she wasn't always, and in "Orange Is the New Black," she's finally paying for her sins. A former lover and convicted accomplice of a lesbian drug smuggler, she's sentenced to one and a half years in prison.

"Orange Is the New Black" ran for seven seasons, collecting numerous awards, including four Primetime Emmys. The crime-comedy series starred Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman alongside Danielle Brooks (mom to Freeya), Taryn Manning, and Uzo Aduba (wife to Robert Sweeting).