New Delhi. A question often arises in the minds of viewers watching the reality show ‘Lock Up’ that what is that heavy, round and black gadget that is visible around the neck of the contestants 24 hours a day? Many kinds of speculations have been made regarding this on social media. Some call it an advanced microphone that records the voices of contestants, while others call it a GPS surveillance collar that tracks prisoners under the theme of jail. But apart from all these theories and claims floating on the internet, the reality of this gadget is very simple and interesting.

Technically, this gadget is neither a microphone to record voice nor a GPS locator to track anyone. This is actually a ‘Status Band’ specially designed for this show. To create a prisoner-like atmosphere in the show and to show the thrill of the game live, the makers have prepared this special gadget, which is operated directly from the control room.

How does this status band work and what is its function?

The work of this round device is not at all to spy on anyone or tape conversations. It only acts as a visual indicator (color changing band). Following are the main functions and features of this device:

• Show status of the game: This band directly shows the behavior of the contestants and their performance in the show live. When a contestant follows the rules of the show, performs well in the task or does a good job, the ‘green light’ of this band is switched on from the control room.
• Alert on violation of rules: On the contrary, when a contestant breaks the prison rules, misbehaves with someone or performs poorly in the task, the ‘red light’ of this status band turns on. This red light symbolizes that the contestant is now in danger or may receive some punishment.
• Direct signal to the audience and the jailer: The biggest advantage of this gadget is that the host of the show, the jailer or the audience watching the live feed immediately gets to know which prisoner’s status is safe at the moment (in jail terms, his conduct is correct) and who is walking in the red zone.

Gadget to enhance theme and drama

Since the entire concept of the show ‘Lock Up’ is based on a hard and real prison, the makers have made it mandatory for the contestants to wear it around their necks 24 hours a day. When this heavy and strange looking round band hangs around the neck, the audience also gets the feeling of being a real prisoner on the screen. The only function of this status band is that it keeps changing its color according to the good and bad deeds of the contestants, due to which the thrill and drama of the show increases manifold.