Hiring Actors for Prison Scenes: A Standard Practice in Filmmaking

When it comes to filming scenes set in prisons, the industry has developed a standardized process to ensure safety, efficiency, and the highest quality of production. Unlike television and film productions in real prisons, where the presence of both real inmates and actors can pose significant challenges, productions typically hire professional actors as extras to play the roles of prisoners. This approach addresses several key issues, including safety, legal and ethical considerations, and professionalism.

Ensuring Safety and Security

One of the primary reasons for hiring professional actors as extras for prison scenes is safety. Real prisoners, with their unpredictable behaviors, can pose significant security risks to the crew and other actors. By utilizing trained and experienced extras, production teams can control the environment and minimize risks. Professional extras are more predictable and can follow detailed direction, ensuring that each take goes smoothly and safely.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Employing inmates for entertainment purposes raises a host of legal and ethical concerns. There are strict legal restrictions in place that prevent the use of prisoners for filming purposes, and any unauthorized use could lead to lawsuits and negative publicity. Additionally, the ethical implications are significant, and many productions prefer to avoid any potential backlash or controversy by opting for professional actors instead.

Professionalism and Consistency

Professional extras are specifically trained to perform on film sets. They understand blocking, follow direction proficiently, and can adapt to the specific demands of the production. This level of professionalism ensures that the scenes are consistent and of high quality, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reputation of the production. In contrast, real prisoners may not be accustomed to the film set environment and could struggle with the demands of the role.

Scheduling and Logistics

Filming in a prison setting is logistically complex and often impractical. Real prisons have strict schedules and operations that can make it difficult to coordinate with the needs of a production. For this reason, studios and production companies typically build or rent sets to create a controlled environment where filming can proceed unimpeded. These sets are designed to replicate the look and feel of a real prison, down to every detail, including cell doors, bars, and common areas.

Real Prison Television Shows: Observing but Not Directing

Some television shows that feature prison settings do indeed feature real inmates. However, these productions do not actively coach or interact with the prisoners. Instead, the function is to observe and record the inmates in natural settings. This approach allows for authentic and often dramatic portrayals of life in a prison, but it is strictly limited to the production process and does not involve the cast or crew interfering with the inmates' daily routines.

Historical Examples and Industry Standards

A notable example is the filming of the movie "Stir Crazy." During its production, staff were used as paid extras, while inmates were used in group scenes in cells or moving across the yard. This method ensures that the scenes are filmed in a safe and controlled manner. Similarly, indie directors often push boundaries, but the strict standards and procedures from organizations like SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the larger film industry prevent any real inmates from being used in such roles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the industry standard for filming prison scenes involves the use of professional actors as extras. This practice ensures safety, adheres to legal and ethical standards, and guarantees the highest level of professionalism. While there may be exceptions, such as in certain independent films, the overwhelming majority of film and television productions opt for this method to create compelling and safe content.