Crime and Punishment

Intended for use with the most dangerous criminals, the UK's Imprisonment for Public Protection program used indeterminate prison sentences for the worst offenders. It’s now been phased out but there are still those trapped in the scheme with no release date planned. At times harrowing, this film follows two IPP prisoners as they attempt to convince the system that they are safe to be set free.

With inmates locked down for 23 hours a day, Winchester Prison is a seething cauldron of barely suppressed resentment. The prisoners angrily protest, the staff can’t cope with this continual aggression. Cameras record 48 hours in this febrile atmosphere, as simmering rage reaches boiling point and inadequacies are laid bare. A disturbing, unflinching portrait of a system at breaking point.

Venture behind bars in this intense true crime documentary on BBC Select. Visit the UK prison where desperate inmates are locked down for 23 hours a day. Prisoners angrily protest and staff can’t cope with the continuous aggression. Cameras record 48 hours in this febrile atmosphere, as simmering rage reaches boiling point. An unflinching portrait of a system at breaking point.

How do the authorities decide if a violent criminal is ready to be released? This distressing true-crime documentary on BBC Select follows William, who has served 15 years in jail for attempted murder. As he is readied for possible freedom, both his parole officer and the victim of his crime discuss and try to decipher whether he’s still too dangerous to be allowed back into society.

One mistake in judgement and a dangerous offender is back on the streets. This revealing true crime documentary on BBC Select investigates the work of probation officers trying to decide which criminals are safe to be released and which ones still need to be behind bars. What criteria is used and how are potentially fatal oversights, which could lead to dangerous individuals being freed, avoided?

Enter a jail within a jail - The Segregation Unit - in this true-crime documentary on BBC Select. Venture inside the place where the most disturbed prison inmates are held. This intense film reveals a little seen world of isolation, where prison officers struggle to cope with complex, often violent individuals. But does this type of additional punishment cause more harm than good?