Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
WHAT IS SOLITARY SIXTY? As the name suggests, the central idea is to spend an hour in solitary confinement, which is why we have our specially-constructed jail cell ready to put one inmate at a time behind bars.
WHO IS SOLITARYY SIXTY FOR? All sorts! From people who are slightly curious about prisons, to those who want to try the most extreme of escape rooms. You might just want to watch others trying to escape (or just enduring) imprisonment in our specially-produced, long-form videos. Perhaps you want to become an inmate yourself.
IS THE JAIL CELL REAL? Our jail cell doesn't just look the part: it's made of welded steel so it's incredibly secure too! (And VERY heavy...) Likewise we use genuine police-issue handcuffs and restraints. Everything used is designed to keep inmates in their place... Under lock and key!
WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA FOR SOLITARY SIXTY? It's something that nobody else seemed to be doing - producing challenge-based content with real imprisonmnet, or offering the chance to experience it in a safe setting.
HOW CAN I BE CONSIDERED TO APPEAR IN YOUR PRODUCED CONTENT?
FAQs about WATCH
WHAT IS THE MAIN FORMAT OF THE SHOWS? Our inmates are arrested, given their prisoner uniform, have their mugshot photos taken and are then secured inside the cell - with their wrists and ankles chained for good measure! If faced with the challenge of JAILBREAK, they must then solve puzzles to find keys and combinations to release the locks on their chains and the cell door. If they face DOING TIME, they'll be trying to accurately gauge how much time has passed, hoping they are close enough to succeed. When trying to escape the QUIZ PRISON, the challengers can avoid arrest altogether by escaping in time! They'll still be locked up in the cell for the challenge, however - but they are allowed to wear their own clothes. Escape is possible by answering the general knowledge questions to find the combinations, release the keys and remove the locks before time is up. Beat the challenge? A cash prize - and freedom - awaits... Fail, and they'll be punished with another hour locked in solitary confinement - this time with no chance of escape! Even more formats will follow soon - watch this space!
WHAT'S SHOWN IN THE VIDEOS? The main shows are edited long-form content, mostly comprising of the 60 minute solitary sentence, in full, from multiple camera angles on once screen as if looking at a bank of CCTV feeds. The main show also shows the challenger's arrest, mugshot images and their securing inside the cell. In the bundles (available on Standard and Ultimate tiers), you'll also have access to the individual camera feeds, full screen and unedited.
WHY ARE MOST EPISODES SPLIT INTO 2 PARTS? Usually we like to show the 1-hour "Challenge" segment separately to the 1-hour "Punishment" that our challengers face if they fail to escape! This means that most inmates' content will be split over 2 weeks, so over a month you will see at least 2 different inmates.
HOW OFTEN ARE NEW VIDEOS RELEASED? We aim to release new content every Wednesday.
WHERE CAN I SEE THE CHALLENGERS COMING UP? On the Challenger Lineup page, which you'll find under WATCH in the main menu. You'll see all challengers in chronological order, including those scheduled to appear over the next 4-8 weeks. Precise dates aren't given as these would act as spoilers, since successful escapees won't serve an additional punishment! You can see upcoming videos sooner with an 🔴ULTIMATE membership - one week ahead of general release.
WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TO VIEW THE FULL VIDEOS? Making the content is time-consuming and costly. Only with the continuing kind support of paying members will Solitary Sixty be able to make content. There is a Free Previews page to give you an idea of how the content looks before paying for a membership.
HOW DO I CHANGE MEMBERSHIP TIER? If you wish to change to a higher membership tier, please get in touch using the web chat function, ensuring you are signed into your account.
FAQs about EXPERIENCES
WHERE DO THE EXPERIENCES TAKE PLACE? They are hosted in Birmingham city centre in the UK. Birmingham New Street national rail station is a 3 minute walk away and there are numerous car parks nearby. Birmingham International Airport is 10 minutes away by rail. An exact meeting location will be provided after booking - the jail is housed within a private residential building.
HOW DO I PAY FOR THE EXPERIENCE? Upon booking, you pay an initial deposit to secure your time and date. The final balance is then due no later than 2 days before your Experience. All payments are secure and are taken via this website.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE THE EXPERIENCES ARE SAFE? Your safety and well-being are the most important factor! It is vital to stress that the Experiences are simulations - you are not being held prisoner against your will; you always have the option to end the Experience at any time (or your host / "guard" will do so if he feels it is necessary). Even if you choose not to have the Experience filmed, you will be monitored on CCTV (used for observation only - no footage is saved) to ensure you are ok. Any restraints will only be used with your permission and only if safe to do so.
DO YOU POST THE EXPERIENCE VIDEOS ONLINE? No. The Experience videos are your own private souvenir of the day. If you would like to share the video with others, you can of course do so (so long as you don't charge for it!). And if you're happy for us to share it too, we may post it on the website or social media - but only with your express permission!
CAN I BRING A FRIEND WITH ME TO THE EXPERIENCE? You can, but be aware that the jail area is very small. A seat can be provided for them to sit and watch outside the cell - just be aware that you are not really in "solitary" confinement if you have company!
HOW DO I SELECT OPTIONS FOR THE EXPERIENCE? You'll need to choose your filming option at the time of booking, as your choice affects how much time needs to be given to your setting up the experience and afterwards, for preparation of video. That is why the options are priced differently. You'll select whether you want an escape-room challenge, an endurance with no escape, or a mixture, via an online form once booked. Likewise this is where you'll choose if you'd like any extra "aparatus" (such as chains, manacles or the pillory) to be used for your endurance / punishment!
If you have a question that isn't answered here, please let us know!
You can get in touch via social media - we're @SolitarySixty (or just tap the links below). Or you can also reach us via email@solitarysixty.com