Every year in Britain, more than 600 people commit murder. The majority of these killers will eventually be sent to HMP Gartree in Leicestershire.
Channel 4’s Cutting Edge documentary ‘Lifers’, filmed over six months at the prison – home to Europe’s largest population of life-sentenced prisoners – provides an unprecedented insight into the lives of convicted killers facing a lifetime behind bars.
These men will die in prison unless they can convince the authorities they’ve changed and are no longer a risk to society.
With unique access to Gartree’s cells, landings, segregation unit and visiting rooms, ‘Lifers’ explores the everyday realities of prison life for those convicted of murder.
The documentary examines the psychological impact of killing, following prisoners as they try to come to terms with what they’ve done, with varying degrees of remorse and contrition.
Unlike regular prisoners, lifers do not have a fixed release date. After serving a minimum term behind bars (set by the trial judge), they will only be set free if they can prove that they are no longer a danger to the public.
Lifers explores the behavioural courses and psychological interventions that convicted killers are expected to undergo as part of their rehabilitation.
The film follows this process through to the Parole Board, where a team of independent experts must decide whether a prisoner is safe to be released back into the public or must remain behind bars.
Comments from the director and the prison leader
‘Lifers’ talks to a range of offenders at HMP Gartree in Leicestershire, including the first prisoner with a whole life sentence to be interviewed on television.
The film’s director, Tim Wardle, said: “I spent six months filming in Gartree prison for a Channel 4 documentary about life-sentenced prisoners. Despite the inherent challenges of making a documentary in a Category B prison, the staff were incredibly supportive and made every effort to allow us full access to their work and the prisoners.”
Wardle added: “The filming ultimately succeeded because it was a collaboration. It was an amazing, if occasionally tough experience but I feel it’s greatly improved me as a film-maker.”
HMP Gartree’s Governor Ian Telfer commented: “The documentary ‘Lifers’ was a unique opportunity to showcase the journeys of certain men in our care. It allowed a film crew into the very heart of the prison and followed the daily lives and events that make up this indeterminate and often long sentence.”
The prison Governor also said: “The documentary team was allowed full and unrestricted access to capture the very being of Gartree set against a backdrop of sometimes difficult positions and decisions.”
Watch the ‘taster’ video clip below and then watch the entire programme courtesy of 4 on Demand
