In a groundbreaking reality challenge that pushes human limits, two contestants face an unimaginable test: survive 100 days in a simulated maximum-security prison to win a life-changing $500,000. Popularized by YouTube megastar MrBeast, this social experiment pits a former criminal against a retired police officer in a grueling battle of wills, strategy, and endurance.
This isn’t just a game—it’s a psychological deep dive into prison dynamics, human behavior, and the raw struggle for half a million dollars. Here’s what really goes down behind bars.
The Setup: A Realistic Prison Experience 🏚️⏰
The prison was built from the ground up to mirror real-life incarceration. From cold concrete floors to strict routines, every detail was designed to break down mental resilience.
Contestants faced:
- Strict schedules with set wake-up, meal, and lights-out times
- Basic meals with little variety or luxury
- No personal items, entertainment, or contact with the outside world
The rule was simple: both must complete 100 days. If one quits, both lose.
The Contestants: Cop vs. Criminal 👮♂️🦹♂️
Ian, a former convict who served time for fraud and money laundering, knew the system. Lenny, a retired cop with 17 years of experience, was used to being on the other side of the law.
Their backgrounds set the stage for:
- Instant tension and power struggles
- Strategic mind games over resources and privileges
- Unexpected camaraderie as days turned into weeks
Offers & Temptations: The Mental Game 🧠🎲
MrBeast (as the warden) introduced game-changing offers to test their resolve:
- Day 10: Pay $50,000 for 1 hour of daily recreation (both agreed)
- Day 20: Trade rec time for a fully stocked kitchen (both refused)
- Day 80: Break a boulder to win a $100,000 key (they worked together)
Each offer revealed their priorities: Was money more important than sanity?
Solitary Confinement: The Ultimate Test of Trust 🔒😰
In the final stretch, both were placed in solitary with a devious choice:
Press a button to leave—take all the money and betray your partner.
The result?
✅ Neither pressed it
✅ Their bond outweighed the prize
✅ They walked out together—$500,000 richer
Why This Experiment Matters 🌍❤️
This wasn’t just entertainment—it was a powerful lesson in humanity:
- Trust can form in the most unlikely places
- Backgrounds don’t define connections
- Money tests character, but doesn’t always break it
The experiment echoed real-world themes of redemption, second chances, and empathy across social divides.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Game
This challenge showed that even in artificial adversity, people can find common ground. Ian and Lenny didn’t just survive prison—they left with a deeper understanding of each other, and themselves.
Would you last 100 days for $500,000?
