Sky sends STV, GroupM behind bars

European satcaster Sky has commissioned STV Productions and GroupM Entertainment to make a documentary series about life in Scotland’s prison system.

The production team for Prison – First and Last 24 Hours (8×44’) has been given unprecedented access to film in a number of prisons, including HMP Barlinnie and HMP Cornton Vale.

The series will tell the stories of convicted criminals, focusing principally on two groups of prisoners: those starting the first day of their jail sentence and those experiencing their final 24 hours locked up.

“This hard-hitting new series will examine crime and punishment by looking at the lives of our prisoners as they go through the most intimidating days of their jail sentence,” said Mick McAvoy, head of documentaries at STV Productions.

The series, produced for STV and GroupM by Louise Say, was commissioned for Sky by Siobhan Mulholland. It is expected to air in early in 2016.