Banged Up - C4

[fourstardan]

Started this last night and it was quite good.

"Johnny" Mercer is an interesting character, it's almost as though he should be a crim in the first place.

[smithyithy]

I watched the first episode only because I left Channel 4 on after Bake Off...

It was alright though, I usually find prison stuff interesting as every time it reaffirms that it would be my absolute worst nightmare..

You have to laugh though - first three 'inmates' - an Eastenders actor whose real-life father was constantly in nick; a guy 'from the hood' who runs a boxing gym for youths etc, and a Tory MP..... It's ironically not very surprising which ones settles into it best

[MBVitoria]

Wow, came across this last night, what an intense environment they've created.

I expect the prisoners and guards mentally settled right back into their prison mentality and the aggression and conflict looked 100% real to me. I bet the production team had a few twitchy moments hoping no-one would end up getting seriously hurt.

As for Mercer, fair play he was really ballsy but not unexpected seeing as he was a RM Commando.

[smithyithy]

I recognise a couple in inmates from previous prison documentaries so they're definitely just being themselves for the show, does make it feel very real..

[fourstardan]

I think a week was enough for this lot to be banged up.

Some of the inmates are on parole (Kevin Lane for example) so fair play to them for risking it all.

[MBVitoria]

fourstardan said:

I think a week was enough for this lot to be banged up.

Some of the inmates are on parole (Kevin Lane for example) so fair play to them for risking it all.

Yeah it did cross my mind that if one of those out on licence assaulted another "prisoner" or one of the guards who then made a complaint to the police, technically that could trigger their recall to prison. A lot on the line.

[Fundoreen]

About what you would expect from prison. Not Porridge and its pow style escapades.
Its only 45mins long so I reckon they are all free most of the day going over what sort of bust up to act out.
Mercer is a git but he is honest with his opinion. A lot of them seem to think they got some sort of illness and need treatment.
Most people want them to suffer a bit for their crimes and maybe take time to learn to read of something.

[fourstardan]

Fundoreen said:

About what you would expect from prison. Not Porridge and its pow style escapades.
Its only 45mins long so I reckon they are all free most of the day going over what sort of bust up to act out.
Mercer is a git but he is honest with his opinion. A lot of them seem to think they got some sort of illness and need treatment.
Most people want them to suffer a bit for their crimes and maybe take time to learn to read of something.

Good point actually about how long they are "banged up", surely that would had been exposed already.

I find it a bit alarming that the bloke who decided to throw rubbish on the Bed is "free", he seems to behave far too close to the line for my liking.

Maybe the probation service are using the footage.

[JimmyConwayNW]

One of the prisoners Lewis had an interesting podcast with James English. Didn't really glam up the criminal life, told it how it was and seemed glad to be out of it.

Hope he manages to stay out of jail, seemed to have good potential for life if he can avoid going the wrong way again.

Not watched this banged up yet but will catch up at the weekend.