Lifers Behind Bars

The first half of a ground-breaking two-part documentary series exploring what it's like to serve a long-term prison sentence in Britain, from the moment of sentencing through to release. Filmed over a year with unprecedented access to jails including HMP Shotts, Scotland's only prison exclusively for long-term offenders, the programme meets the men convicted of murder and serving mandatory life sentences. This episode follows newly-convicted killers from sentencing at court through the system as they're helped to face up to years behind bars. As one officer explains, 'They're gonna be here for a long time. A 17-year sentence isn't a big sentence here.' Inside the general population of the prison, the programme reveals the day-to-day reality for some of the 500 men living there, who, combined, are serving well over 4000 years in custody.

The second half of the ground-breaking two-part documentary series looking at what it's like to serve a long-term jail sentence in Britain. Filmed over a year, with unprecedented and extensive access, this episode follows men serving long sentences for crimes of violence, from the moment they are sentenced through the system as they face up to years behind bars. The programme reveals the day-to-day reality for some of the 500 men in HMP Shotts, Scotland's only prison exclusively for long-term offenders, who combined are serving well over 4000 years in custody. It explores how they live together and how the jail manages and contains so many violent men.