Sydney Swans midfielder Dan Robinson has been found guilty (of compassion) and sentenced to jail…all for a worthy cause.

The 22-year-old, in conjunction with charity Whitelion will be spending Friday night behind bars at Haberfield’s Yasmar Juvenile Detention Centre as part of its fundraiser Bail Out to raise awareness and vital funds for youth at risk.

Robinson will gain a unique insight to time on the inside and be privy to activities simulating prison life.

He’ll be stripped of his possessions, fingerprinted, photographed, be subject to interrogation and appear in a mock court proceeding before his cell door is locked behind him.

The only way out?

“If we raise our fundraising target before 11pm, we ‘make bail’ and we’re free to go,” Robinson said.

“My goal is $2,000. If I make it, great, but if I don’t then I’m spending the night in the clink.

“It’s going to be an exciting night, it’s something a little different and something I’m looking forward to.”

Robinson had better hope his fundraising efforts are met with training scheduled for Saturday morning.

“Luckily Haberfield isn’t too far away from the SCG otherwise Horse (John Longmire) might not be very happy with me.”

An annual event, Bail Out raised more than $640,000 nationally last year. This year, they’re setting themselves an enormous national target of $1 million to help some 50,000 young people who have become disconnected from their community through abuse, neglect, drug addiction and poverty.

Robinson jumped at the chance to help and put himself in the shoes of the thousands of youths who are currently incarcerated in Australia.

“I got involved through mutual friends,” Robinson added.

“It’s something I’m really interested in. Any time you can help the community, and young people in particular, is really important.”

Robinson doesn’t really know what’s instore, but a visit to San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island in recent years give him an “eerie” insight.

“It’s a very eerie experience when you’re walking through an empty prison,” he said.

“It’ll be interesting to see how Friday night goes – it’ll be a similar feeling I’m sure.

“But for young people at risk who end up in prison, it’s a very real situation for them, so if you can put yourself in their shoes it only makes you more empathetic to their cause.”

You can help Robinson reach his goal by visiting his fundraising page or head to Whitelion's Bail Out for more information.