Britain Behind Bars: A Secret History

Documentary · 2024 · 47 min Channel 4
Available on Channel 4

Rob Rinder uncovers a secret history of Britain's prisons. He takes viewers back through the centuries to explore the stories hidden behind prison walls, from petty crooks to infamous gangsters, hangmen, extreme brutality and explosive riots.

Documentary · 2024 · 47 min
Starring Robert Rinder
Director Alex Brisland , Andy Hall

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1

    Episode 1

    Rob Rinder visits HMP Dartmoor in Devon and explores its fearsome reputation built over centuries. He examines what happens when a brutal regime pushes prisoners to their limit.

    46 min · 7 Jul 2024
  • EPISODE 2

    Episode 2

    Rob Rinder explores the story of capital punishment in Britain at Shrewsbury Prison in Shropshire. It's where the reign of Britain's most infamous dynasty of hangmen, the Pierrepoint family, who led hundreds of prisoners to their death, began.

    47 min · 7 Jul 2024
  • EPISODE 3

    Episode 3

    Rob concludes his investigation in Somerset and Shepton Mallet, one of the oldest prisons in the country and custodial home of many petty criminals, once including the notorious Kray twins.

    46 min · 7 Jul 2024

Related

Cast & Crew

  • Robert Rinder

    Host
  • A‌B

    Alex Brisland

    Director
  • Andy Hall

    Director
  • R‌K

    Ruth Kelly

    Producer
  • L‌N

    Laura Nash

    Producer
  • A‌B

    Alex Brisland

    Producer
  • E‌R

    Erin Rooney

    Producer
  • Y‌P

    Yasmine Permaul

    Producer
  • Andy Hall

    Producer

About

Britain Behind Bars: A Secret History

Documentary

Rob Rinder uncovers a secret history of Britain's prisons. He takes viewers back through the centuries to explore the stories hidden behind prison walls, from petty crooks to infamous gangsters, hangmen, extreme brutality and explosive riots.

Information

Studio
Channel 4
Released
2024

Languages

Audio and Subtitles
English (United Kingdom) (AD, AAC)

Accessibility

Audio descriptions (AD) refer to a narration track describing what is happening on screen to provide context for those who are blind or have low vision.
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