Jailbirds (TV series)

The pilot episode introduces 19-year-old Yasmin Sundermeyer, the newest inmate processed into Sacramento County Jail on accusation of committing numerous felonies including alleged alcohol, drugs, weapon possession, carjacking and evading officers.[3] Yasmin is then moved to a holding cell emotionally distraught with the realisation of prison time as female prisoners yelling out 'new fish' and 'fresh meat' which is 'prison slang' to define the newest prisoner on the scene.[4]

In the second episode of the series, Sargent Hernandez commences the procedure of a lockdown following the verbal slander turned physical between two females who statistically are twenty percent more likely to become violent whilst imprisoned.[5] The audience is showcased 'toilet talk' whereby prisoners including Daniel Carder and Katrina take advantage of the vertical piping network to communicate through their 'bowls' (toilets) as well as transfer notes in a practice called 'fishing' from which crafted rope is flushed between cells. The episode also introduces a new location within the prison known by inmates as 'Female AD-SEG' (administrative segregation) whereby prisoners are placed in single-inmate pods that are separated from the general population.[4]

This episode presents some of the Deputies within the jail, revealing their background regarding why they desired to work in a prison environment. Deputy Turner became an officer of the law because she witnessed her cousin lose their life in a gang affiliated incident and wanted to protect the lives of others.[6] On the other hand, Deputy Greenberg-Bobbitt went into law enforcement as her whole family work in this field and now she is documented as an experienced Deputy in Sacramento County Branch.[7] The episode also delves into relationships in prison such as the alleged violent relationship between Megan 'monster' and Erin 'A1', gang affiliation and eruption of violence at the branch.[3]

The fourth episode begins with a flooding incident in one of the cells whereby men from an above block clogged the piping because of an argument that occurred whilst 'toilet talking.' The audience is also showcased the physical violence that can occur at any moment within the prison as Blanca was struck on the face in the yard which generated a large incident.[7]

The fifth episode in the series explores the nuances of being in a relationship within the restrictions of prison. In the beginning of the episode, two inmates from the branch and main jail Brianna Tibayan and Bianca are getting married requiring a prison style marriage whereby they are quickly wedded in a court room surrounded by family with Jay as an inmate witness and then returned to their respective cells. This unique relationship is described as long distance, however having the possibility of no physical contact following the wedding ceremony.[5] The audience is also presented through the experiences of Jay the difficulties of trying to maintain a loving relationship with one partner being confined to a prison cell and the other living as a free man. She is struggling to detoxify from drugs, relying on the few visits from her partner Kadin and on the hope that he has remained loyal to her from the outside.[7]

The final episode in the series begins with a physical confrontation between Ebony and Noonie which sparks an all-out brawl with several female inmates being detained and separated. The show reveals the erratic nature of life behind bars whereby even the cameraman is caught in the middle of the violence. This violence results in a full investigation with several inner prison hearings, isolated inmates and additional days placed upon sentences.[5] The audience including various online medias have developed speculations regarding the current whereabouts of these inmates seen on the show with no official statements from the production or the Sacramento County Jail. Finally, the series concludes with footage revealing some of the prisoners connecting with one another outside the prison after serving out the remainder of their sentence. Jailbirds filmed in Sacramento County Jail finished at the end of 2019 with seemly no further entries to the series. However, the show moved location, starting another series called Jailbirds New Orleans which aired in 2021.[2]

The show being filmed on location inside Sacramento County Jail in California requires a production crew that documents logistically and ethically under the extreme conditions that is the prison environment.[7] This Jailbirds production crew were able to convince the heads of faculty to enable filming on the premises whereby 99% of correctional facilities would deny the opportunity to produce a documentary.

In crafting the storylines within the reality show, executive producer Rasha Drachkovitch discussed the requirement to find inmates who are comfortable behind the camera, will sign a personal release enabling the publication of the footage and give a story that reflects on an aspect of the 'jail experience.' The method carried out in finding individuals that offered talent and an eye-opening story involved constantly filming and communicating with the prisoners until the best candidate was found. This was explained by the president of 44 Blue Productions in that 'someone from the team was usually in prison everyday film' looking for the few people who are willing to share their story. The team revealed that the required bond with inmates took months to generate whereby the crew developed strong relationships with the prisoners build on trust and approval, enabling the documentation of various prison origins and experiences.[1]