MrBeast poses outside the custom-built prison for his viral $500,000 survival challenge, instagram/@mrbeast- MrBeast challenges a cop and an ex-criminal to survive 100 days in prison
- Prize: $500,000, split only if both last the full term
- Emotional family visits and solitary confinement tested endurance
- Contestants grew from rivals to unlikely allies
- Video sparks debate over ethics vs entertainment
Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has once again pushed the boundaries of YouTube entertainment with a new viral stunt: locking a police officer and a former criminal inside a purpose-built maximum-security prison for 100 days. The winner? Both of them—if they survive the full term—walk away with $500,000. If either quits early, neither gets a dime.
The video, titled Survive 100 Days In Prison, Win $500,000, premiered on August 17, 2024, and has already racked up millions of views, continuing MrBeast’s streak of headline-grabbing experiments.
The Challenge: Cop vs Criminal
The two participants couldn’t be more different. Lenny, a police officer with 17 years of service, admitted he had “never even seen half a million dollars.” His opponent, Ian, a former inmate who spent three years in federal prison for fraud and money laundering, revealed that $500,000 was the same amount of debt he owed upon release.
JOIN US TO STAY UPDATED ON YOUR FAVORITE MESSENGER APP!
Despite their opposing backgrounds, the pair had to share cells, meals, and grueling daily routines inside a near-identical replica of a U.S. maximum-security facility. The prison included standard features such as locked cells, security doors, and even solitary confinement. At one point, Ian was sent into isolation while Lenny was granted family visits—highlighting the mental toll of the experience.
Survival, Teamwork, and Tension
The show wasn’t just about endurance; it was also about the psychological strain. The duo faced temptations like spending $50,000 from the prize pool to access the exercise yard, or risking money on side challenges such as hammering a key out of a rock to unlock a box containing $100,000.
Yet, rather than breaking apart, the cop and the ex-criminal gradually built an unlikely bond. By Day 99, their teamwork became evident. The final twist placed them in solitary confinement with a button: pressing it would allow one to claim the full prize and leave the other with nothing. Both resisted, choosing instead to split the remaining $480,000.
Audience Reaction and Backlash
The stunt sparked debate between entertainment and ethics. While many fans called it “the best storyline yet”, others criticized the stunt as reckless. Comparisons were drawn to the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment, with some arguing that MrBeast had turned human suffering into entertainment.
One viewer commented: “These videos are the difference between wild and borderline insane.” Another asked, “What if you helped people instead of torturing them?”
Despite the backlash, the video continues to trend globally and is shaping up to be one of MrBeast’s most talked-about challenges of 2024.
Why It Matters?
MrBeast has built his brand on large-scale, high-stakes challenges—from recreating Squid Game to offering thousands of dollars for extreme endurance tests. This prison experiment, however, blends entertainment with social commentary, forcing viewers to ask: Can people from opposite worlds survive together, not just physically, but socially? The challenge is both bizarre and strangely heartwarming, showing two natural rivals grow into unlikely allies under extreme pressure.
ⓘ As part of our ongoing support for startups and SMEs, LAFFAZ Media publishes feature and resource articles that may include references and links to external websites. These inclusions are selected at our editorial discretion to provide valuable information to our readers. LAFFAZ Media does not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for the content or practices of external websites. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
