C4 explores what it's like to serve life long prison sentence in UK

Channel 4 has announced a ground-breaking documentary series from Firecrest Films looking at what it’s like to what it is like to serve a long sentence in Britain.

The series has unprecedented access to three very different UK prisons including Scotland’s only maximum security prison, HMP Shotts, which is home to some of the most notorious criminals in the British penal system.  Focusing on prisoners faced with the longest sentences in the country, Firecrest will document inmates' experience from conviction and integration into the prison system, via the strict daily regime, to release and beyond. 

The commission is Firecrest’s first commission from the documentary department at Channel 4 and was ordered by Deputy Head of Factual Amy Flanagan who says 'I'm very excited to be working with Firecrest on this series.It will follow prisoners who are spending their lifetime in the criminal justice system and will give us a fascinating insight into the impact of their sentence on them, their families and society in general as they finally face the prospect of life outside.'

Executive producer and MD of Firecrest Nicole Kleeman said, “This is the true story of life behind bars - what's it is like to serve a 20 or 30 year sentence, how it changes men and their families. We are thrilled that Amy and Channel 4 are giving us the time to tell this story properly."

The commission follows the recent arrival of Iain Scollay and Mark Roberts to become joint creative directors of the Govan based indie.