Mariah(1987)

Mariah is a short-lived American drama series set inside Mariah State Penitentiary, following the daily lives and conflicts of the prison's staff. Airing mid-season on ABC in 1987, the show explores the tensions, moral dilemmas, and interpersonal dynamics that emerge behind bars. Rather than focusing solely on inmates, Mariah examines the perspectives of guards, administrators, and other personnel navigating the complexities of institutional life. The series captures the gritty realities of prison work during the 1980s, blending character-driven storytelling with procedural elements. Though it found only a brief audience before cancellation, Mariah represents a notable entry in the era's prison-set television landscape, offering a workplace drama angle rarely explored at the time.