About Prison Down Under

We go behind the walls to reveal what really goes on in some of Australia's toughest prisons; this is a ground-breaking series with stories told by male and female prison officers and inmates.

Jail has never looked so scary; we get access to three prisons around New South Wales (NSW) giving us a raw and frightening account of what really happens behind Australia's prison bars.

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Prison Down Under:

the intriguing and terrifying realities of incarceration in the antipodes

The term "antipodes" refers to places on Earth that are diametrically opposite to each other. In the context of Europe and Poland, the antipodes are regions like Australia and New Zealand. Australia, a country known for its unique wildlife, flora, and culture, has long fascinated people around the world. However, beyond the beautiful beaches and kangaroos, Australia also has a darker side. In the latest documentary series Prison Down Under (2021), viewers are taken behind bars and barbed wire to see what really goes on in some of Australia’s toughest prisons.

Step inside Australian prisons

The documentary series Prison Down Under offers viewers unprecedented access to a world most of us have never seen. Through the lens of both guards and inmates, we are introduced to the harsh realities of daily life in three major prisons in New South Wales: Wellington Correctional Centre, Dillwynia Correctional Centre, and the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre.

Life behind bars

Each episode of Prison Down Under presents dramatic and emotional situations unfolding within the walls of Australian prisons. What is daily life like for prisoners and guards in places where strict discipline prevails? In New South Wales, inmates are woken up, escorted from their cells, and searched, while guards constantly battle drug smuggling. Have you ever wondered how the pandemic affected life behind bars? Pandemic restrictions halted visits from friends and family, cutting off the flow of drugs into prisons. As a result, inmates suffering from withdrawal began to riot, leading to chaos and violence.

How do the guards manage during the annual Australian rules football match between inmates from Wellington and Macquarie correctional facilities? Twelve dangerous criminals travel to Wellington for the game, keeping the guards busy ensuring security. Did you know that every day, 20 new inmates enter Australian prisons, with the cost of housing them reaching 87,000 Australian dollars per year per person? Overseeing the entire system is tough work, and the guards’ daily lives are filled with tension and challenges.

What happens at Dillwynia Correctional Centre, where inmates who must be protected from assault due to crimes against children are housed? Officer Dave shares insights into the daily challenges of maintaining safety in such a place. Have you ever considered how long sentences are in Australia? The average prison term is one year, six weeks, and two and a half days. Mohammadali, one of the inmates, is serving a nine-year sentence and longs to be transferred closer to his mother’s home.

The statistics are grim: 42% of inmates return to prison within two years of release. What support do they receive to avoid recidivism? The series shows that the path to redemption is not easy. Through these stories, viewers gain an understanding of how difficult and complex life is behind the walls of Australian prisons. Each episode brings new challenges and emotions, capturing the attention of any true crime TV and documentary crime enthusiast.

Unseen aspects of the Australian prison system

The Australian prison system conceals many unknown and fascinating aspects that often remain outside our everyday knowledge. Let’s take a closer look at these three prisons in New South Wales—Wellington Correctional Centre, Dillwynia Correctional Centre, and the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre—which reveal some of these secrets.

Wellington Correctional Centre

Opened in 2007, Wellington Correctional Centre is one of the largest prisons in New South Wales, housing over 700 inmates. Like other maximum-security facilities, it struggles with drug smuggling and other contraband. Guards conduct daily searches and inspections to prevent these illegal deliveries. One of the lesser-known aspects is the complex network of tunnels and hidden passages that inmates sometimes use for smuggling.

Dillwynia Correctional Centre

Dillwynia Correctional Centre is a unique women’s prison that provides special protection for inmates convicted of crimes against children. Officer Dave explains that the facility requires special security procedures to protect these inmates from others. Dillwynia is also known for its rehabilitation programs aimed at helping inmates reintegrate into society after serving their sentences. One of the lesser-known facts is that the prison offers unique therapeutic programs, including art and gardening classes, which help inmates cope with trauma and aggression.

Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre

The Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre is the busiest prison in New South Wales, with over 300 inmates arriving and being transferred daily. Many of them are experiencing life behind bars for the first time, presenting additional challenges for guards in maintaining control and order. One little-known fact is that the prison has special units for isolating inmates who pose a threat to themselves or others. These units are equipped with advanced monitoring systems, allowing for continuous surveillance of inmates.

Escapes and security

Although escapes from these prisons are rare, incidents have occurred that have gone down in the history of the Australian penitentiary system. Each of these prisons has its own security protocols and procedures designed to prevent escapes. For example, Wellington Correctional Centre has an extensive network of cameras and motion sensors that help guards monitor every corner of the prison. Dillwynia Correctional Centre, on the other hand, uses biometric identification technology to control access to different parts of the facility.

Daily life and challenges

Daily life in these prisons is full of challenges for both inmates and guards. Inmates must adapt to rigorous rules and routines designed to maintain order and safety. Guards, in turn, must be prepared for various crisis situations, from smuggling attempts to inmate riots. In Prison Down Under, we’ll see how guards deal with these challenges and what methods they use to maintain order in such a tough environment.

The Australian prison system is complex and filled with unknown aspects that Prison Down Under will allow us to discover. By watching this fascinating documentary, we will have the opportunity to see life behind bars from an entirely new perspective.

Compelling stories and emotions

Prison Down Under is a gripping and shocking story about life behind bars in Australian prisons.

Dive into a world that is both terrifying and fascinating, and uncover stories that shed new light on the realities of life behind prison walls. These are true crime stories that are sure to captivate fans of true crime TV and crime documentaries.

Catch it on Viasat True Crime.

STEP INTO A WORLD SHROUDED IN MYSTERY AND DECEIT