A new observation-documentary series, presented by Melissa Doyle, offers unprecedented access beyond the high walls and barbed wires of three maximum-security prisons. This powerhouse eight-part series documents the harsh realities of daily life behind bars for inmates and corrections officers alike. The stories are both confronting and compelling, detailing the heartbreak, hell – and hopes – of an existence in prison. Australia Behind Bars will give audiences a dramatic, firsthand look at a part of society they rarely see, and the stories behind the people who make up the prison system
Episode 1
Feb 3, 2022
One inmate overdoses and it's up to the officers and nurses to try and revive her. While another inmate Brittany is doing it tough with her four kids outside and a long sentence.
Episode 2
Feb 10, 2022
Our cameras are there as the inmates are woken, marched from their cells and strip-searched in the ongoing battle to keep drugs out of our jails.
Episode 3
Feb 17, 2022
When Covid restrictions stopped visits from friends and family, drugs were no longer getting into the jail and prisoners suffering from withdrawal started to riot.
Episode 4
Feb 24, 2022
Everyone's on high alert as 12 maximum security inmates are transported into Wellington prison for the annual footy game against Macquarie prison. But not all the inmates are sticking to the rules of the game.
Episode 5
Mar 3, 2022
Officer David organises for a father to see his teenage son who freaks out being behind bars for the first time; a seasoned rule breaker is stunned that his driving offence this time has landed him in jail.
Episode 6
Mar 10, 2022
Officers wage a constant battle to find inmates with contraband. Inmates are clever at hiding it. But the officers now have a new weapon – a full body scanner!
Episode 7
Mar 17, 2022
Inmate Darryl is encouraged to write stories for his young son to develop the father/son bond from behind bars. He has been in and out of jail since he was 14, maybe with a son waiting he won't return.
Episode 8
Mar 24, 2022
A wrap-up of the series looks at what the inmates' hopes for the future are. The corrections officers also never lose faith that next time they open the gate to release a prisoner, it will be the last time they say goodbye.
