10 jailed as new reality show starts

British TV game show has viewers helping inmates escape

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LONDON, Sept. 12  Britains latest reality game show starts Tuesday, with 10 contestants battling to escape from a specially built prison and win the top prize of $141,000. The 10 inmates are taking part in Jailbreak, Channel 5s answer to Channel 4s hugely successful Big Brother, the voyeuristic game show that reaches its climax this Friday. Jailbreak will be shown six days a week for the next three weeks.

More than 30 prison officers will run the prison along the lines of a real lockup, with alcohol banned and smoking restricted to designated areas.

THE INMATES, whose ages range from 20 to 51, will be watched by a bank of 35 cameras as they attempt to escape from the jail that has been built in Hertfordshire, north of London.

A real former prison governor, Jim Heyes, 62, will manage a team of more than 30 prison officers who will run the prison along the lines of a real lockup, with alcohol banned and smoking restricted to designated areas.

The shows executive producer, Sebastian Scott, said: We have made the jail as realistic as possible from the daily routine to the food menu, from the uniforms to the amount of money the prisoners earn a day. JAIL-BREAK TIPS BY PHONE, E-MAIL

Viewers will be able to help the inmates escape by sending in suggestions and tips via e-mail or phone, with the best suggestion winning a prize of $28,200.

The inmates, who include an architect, a mechanic and a fashion model, will be allowed access to the prison librarys computer for 45 minutes each day to read e-mails that have been sent to them by members of their escape committee.

The top prize goes to the first person to escape  who has to run to a marked target outside the prison, triggering the lights that signify a successful breakout.

Any prisoner caught attempting to escape three times has to spend 24 hours in solitary confinement.

-- (hmm@hmm.hmm), September 17, 2000

Answers

"hmm"--

I think you are trying to outpost cpr. I am cheering for you but betting on him. Good luck.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), September 17, 2000.

Just thought I'd add some variety. The fact that you responded at all is a positive sign. But then again, I'm a polly. LOL.

-- (hmm@hmm.hmm), September 17, 2000.

I'm betting that Hogan will boff Col. Klink's secretary before it's all over.

-- Chicken Little (over@rainbow.net), September 17, 2000.

hmm, I wonder if we can find the website on this, and perhaps even watch the show via the web.

-- butt nugget (catsbutt@umailme.com), September 17, 2000.