Behind These Doors By Alex South

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

20231023

Behind These Doors is a vividly honest interrogation of what it is like to live and work in the UK prison system. The individuals Alex South introduces us to are, for the most part, living on the margins of society and the impact of the cycles of violence that so often accompany those lives is clear to see.

Alex takes us by the hand, behind the gates and through security into prison cells, and shared kitchens, to meet men who will surprise and shock us in equal measure, as well as prison officers who struggle with the physical and emotional challenges the job presents.

This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences.

The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered.

The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio

Written by Alex South

Abridged by Jill Waters

Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like.

After six months training, 22-year-old Alex South began her career as a prison officer at a high security men's prison in Cambridgeshire. This is her account of what it was like.

20231024

This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences.

The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered.

The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio

Written by Alex South

Abridged by Jill Waters

After six months training Alex South began her career as a prison officer.

Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like.

Alex South began her career as a prison officer at Category A Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire, where some of the country's most dangerous men were serving life sentences.

20231025

This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences.

The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered.

The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio

Written by Alex South

Abridged by Jill Waters

Prisons are dangerous places, full of men with scores to settle.

Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like.

The constant hum of aggression and incipient violence can take its toll on the mental health of prison officers and on prisoners.

20231026

This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences.

The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered.

The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio

Written by Alex South

Abridged by Jill Waters

Wormwood Scrubs in West London is one of the country's most famous prisons.

Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like.

The author transfers to HMP Wormwood Scrubs as a senior officer in a Victorian prison that houses 1,300 inmates. Drugs, phones and other contraband are commonplace.

20231027

This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences.

The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered.

The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio

Written by Alex South

Abridged by Jill Waters

After two years at Wormwood Scrubs, Alex transfers to the security office at Belmarsh.

Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like.

HMP Belmarsh is the UK's most famous Category A prison. The night shift in a place like this can leave an officer vulnerable and sometimes helpless to assist distressed prisoners.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
01	20231023	Behind These Doors is a vividly honest interrogation of what it is like to live and work in the UK prison system. The individuals Alex South introduces us to are, for the most part, living on the margins of society and the impact of the cycles of violence that so often accompany those lives is clear to see. Alex takes us by the hand, behind the gates and through security into prison cells, and shared kitchens, to meet men who will surprise and shock us in equal measure, as well as prison officers who struggle with the physical and emotional challenges the job presents. This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences. The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered. The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio Written by Alex South Abridged by Jill Waters Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like. After six months training, 22-year-old Alex South began her career as a prison officer at a high security men's prison in Cambridgeshire. This is her account of what it was like.
02	20231024	Behind These Doors is a vividly honest interrogation of what it is like to live and work in the UK prison system. The individuals Alex South introduces us to are, for the most part, living on the margins of society and the impact of the cycles of violence that so often accompany those lives is clear to see. Alex takes us by the hand, behind the gates and through security into prison cells, and shared kitchens, to meet men who will surprise and shock us in equal measure, as well as prison officers who struggle with the physical and emotional challenges the job presents. This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences. The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered. The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio Written by Alex South Abridged by Jill Waters After six months training Alex South began her career as a prison officer. Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like. Alex South began her career as a prison officer at Category A Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire, where some of the country's most dangerous men were serving life sentences.
03	20231025	Behind These Doors is a vividly honest interrogation of what it is like to live and work in the UK prison system. The individuals Alex South introduces us to are, for the most part, living on the margins of society and the impact of the cycles of violence that so often accompany those lives is clear to see. Alex takes us by the hand, behind the gates and through security into prison cells, and shared kitchens, to meet men who will surprise and shock us in equal measure, as well as prison officers who struggle with the physical and emotional challenges the job presents. This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences. The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered. The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio Written by Alex South Abridged by Jill Waters Prisons are dangerous places, full of men with scores to settle. Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like. The constant hum of aggression and incipient violence can take its toll on the mental health of prison officers and on prisoners.
04	20231026	Behind These Doors is a vividly honest interrogation of what it is like to live and work in the UK prison system. The individuals Alex South introduces us to are, for the most part, living on the margins of society and the impact of the cycles of violence that so often accompany those lives is clear to see. Alex takes us by the hand, behind the gates and through security into prison cells, and shared kitchens, to meet men who will surprise and shock us in equal measure, as well as prison officers who struggle with the physical and emotional challenges the job presents. This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences. The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered. The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio Written by Alex South Abridged by Jill Waters Wormwood Scrubs in West London is one of the country's most famous prisons. Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like. The author transfers to HMP Wormwood Scrubs as a senior officer in a Victorian prison that houses 1,300 inmates. Drugs, phones and other contraband are commonplace.
05	20231027	Behind These Doors is a vividly honest interrogation of what it is like to live and work in the UK prison system. The individuals Alex South introduces us to are, for the most part, living on the margins of society and the impact of the cycles of violence that so often accompany those lives is clear to see. Alex takes us by the hand, behind the gates and through security into prison cells, and shared kitchens, to meet men who will surprise and shock us in equal measure, as well as prison officers who struggle with the physical and emotional challenges the job presents. This is an unflinching and eye-opening depiction of life in prison and its many devastating and sometimes inspiring, consequences. The names, offences and identifying features of all individuals described have been altered. The opening and closing recordings made in a UK prison are used with kind permission of the Prison Radio Association. Find out more here : https://prison.radio Written by Alex South Abridged by Jill Waters After two years at Wormwood Scrubs, Alex transfers to the security office at Belmarsh. Alex South spent ten years as a prison officer. This is her account of what it was like. HMP Belmarsh is the UK's most famous Category A prison. The night shift in a place like this can leave an officer vulnerable and sometimes helpless to assist distressed prisoners.