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Crime and Punishment

Dealing with difficult, disturbing cases this landmark documentary series delves into the UK criminal justice system - a system under intense pressure due to an escalation of cases and diminishing resources. Highlighting the work of police, probation, prison and parole, this eye-opening investigation unearths the challenges and dangers faced daily by justice professionals.
20196 episodesTV-MA
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Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - Episode 1
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    September 14, 2019
    46min
    TV-MA
    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.
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  2. S1 E2 - Episode 2
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    September 21, 2019
    46min
    TV-MA
    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.
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  3. S1 E3 - Episode 3
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    September 28, 2019
    46min
    TV-MA
    With rampant drug use, self-harming issues, inmates locked down for extended periods and a shortage of staff, Winchester Prison is in meltdown. While prisoners continually protest and the guards attempt to keep order, this eye-opening, and at times highly disturbing documentary goes behind the scenes and reveals what the governor and her staff can conjure up to quell this explosive situation.
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  4. S1 E4 - Episode 4
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    October 5, 2019
    46min
    TV-MA
    How do you decide whether a criminal, convicted for a violent crime, is ready to be released and no longer poses a danger to the public? This often distressing film explores this dilemma as William, who has served 15 years for attempted murder, is readied for possible release. Both his parole officer and his victim discuss whether he’s still too dangerous to be released back into society.
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  5. S1 E5 - Episode 5
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    October 12, 2019
    47min
    TV-MA
    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?
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  6. S1 E6 - Episode 6
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    October 19, 2019
    46min
    TV-MA
    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?
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Details

More info

Audio languages
English
Subtitles
English [CC]
Directors
Bruce Fletcher
Producers
Tom Cross
Studio
BBC Studios
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