By Walt Belcher
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA, Fla. - The producers of Fox’s long-running “Cops” series have gone to jail for a new reality show that features a Hillsborough County lockup.
“We spent a lot of time and got tons of good material from the Orient Road Jail,” said Morgan Langley, co-producer of “Jail,” which will debut Sept. 4 on WTTA, Channel 38.
Another version of the show, “Inside American Jail,” debuted Aug. 2 on Court TV using the same material. It airs at 8 and 8:30 p.m. Thursdays.
Langley and his father, John, a co-creator of “Cops,” say their production crew spent nearly two months here in January and February, following people as they were brought into the jail and booked.
John Langley said people from all walks of life get arrested, and the booking area of a jail can resemble a crowded bus station.
“On ‘Cops’ we deal mostly with in street crime, but on ‘Jail’ you will see everything from drunk drivers to murder suspects,” he said. “There is drama, anger, violence and sometimes even humor in the situations. An estimated 14 million people are arrested every year.”
Langley said the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office welcomed the show.
“Because of our track record on ‘Cops,’ we have a good relationship with most law enforcement agencies,” he said. “And this program will show viewers the challenges that jail officers face. It’s a tough job because people who are arrested often come through the door very angry and sometimes very drunk or high on drugs.”
Major Robert Lucas, who oversees the Orient Road Jail, said jail officials were allowed to review and approve the material that will be used on the program.
“The booking area is one of the most intense areas of the jail,” he said.
The public may understand arrest procedures because of series such as “Cops,” he said, but they probably don’t know what happens before, during and after booking.
“The arresting officer may have them for an hour or more, but we get them for weeks and months,” he said.
The Langleys say Tampa is one of several cities featured during the first 13 episodes. Others include Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Portland, Ore., and Forth Worth, Texas.
“Jail” will air nationwide this fall on more than 160 TV stations that subscribe to the MyNetworkTV programming service owned by Fox News Corp.
Copyright 2007 The Tampa Tribune