New Netflix Show Recreates Infamous Prison Study

A new Netflix reality series, "The New Stanford Prison Experiment," debuts on October 21, seeking to explore the dynamics of power and conformity through a simulated prison environment. Executive produced by Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth, the show transports thirty participants from diverse backgrounds to a decommissioned prison in Cherokee County, Georgia, for a two-week experiment.

This iteration aims to rectify the ethical shortcomings of the 1971 Stanford prison experiment, which was notoriously ended after only six days due to severe psychological distress and ethical violations. "The New Stanford Prison Experiment" incorporates significant safeguards, including rigorous background checks, psychological testing, 24/7 medical and psychological support, a safe word, and observation by a panel of experts.

Despite these measures, the experiment proves emotionally intense, with six participants dropping out. The series features individuals with past incarceration, including 'Scary' Larry Foy, but producers assert extensive vetting ensured no direct threat to others. The show culminates on day six, mirroring the original experiment's termination point, with a dark turn involving extreme punishment, though producers maintain physical safety was never compromised.

Lipsitz and Cutforth believe the experiment successfully raised questions about human behavior under duress, emphasizing that the core question wasn't solely whether power corrupts but rather what participants would reveal about themselves. The series is expected to spark conversations and varied viewer interpretations.