Orange is the New Black and its Representation of Women\u27s Prisons

First airing in 2013, Orange is the New Black (OITNB) is a Netflix original series. The series focuses on the life of fictional characters in a women\u27s prison, based on Piper Kerman\u27s real life experience behind bars. The purpose of this research is to connect how well OITNB relates to real life women\u27s prisons. I expand upon prior research according to four reoccurring variables: race, gender, sexuality, and correctional issues. I will explore how these key variables are represented within season one of OINTB. I argue that season one gives visibility to women incarcerated; however, minorities and the LGBTQ community are often negatively portrayed, thus perpetuating harmful stereotypes. For those who have no prior knowledge on life behind bars, OITNB provides viewers with a fictionalized insight of a women\u27s correctional facility. While this portrayal is fictional, many scenes mirror real life incidents occurring in America\u27s women prisons