Ep 5. Spain

As a warning to those who crave excitement abroad, Locked Up Abroad takes them through the true stories of people whose good time in a foreign country turned into a nightmare. This documentary series examines a wide range of tales of travellers who were arrested and jailed on the foreign soil. In season 4 episode 5 titled 'Spain,' you'll be taken through the story of an Englishman who, after getting caught up in a drug deal, landed himself in prison in Spanish's infamous jail in Malaga.

The episode starts with visual details of an Englishman, Tim, a self-proclaimed adventurer and lover of extreme sports, who decided to relocate to Spain to escape the mundanity of his life. He found work in the tourism industry, where he met fellow Brit, Chris, a charming man who showed him the luxurious side of Spain. Chris introduced Tim to his wealthy friends and showed him the world of expensive cars, women, and parties. Tim was hooked and hungry for more excitement.

As Tim's desire for adrenaline increased, he joined Chris in a risky plot: smuggling cannabis into Spain from North Africa. The plan was straightforward: they would take a boat ride to the North African coast, collect the narcotics and bring them back to Spain via Gibraltar. The money was too good to resist, and after just a few trips, Tim felt confident that he knew the ins and outs of the operation.

But his confidence blinded him from realizing that the Spanish police were keeping a close watch on drug smugglers, and eventually, Tim got caught. In a frenzy of panic, he tried to run and evade the police, but it was too late. Tim was arrested, and after a long and intense interrogation, the police charged him with drug smuggling. His excitement soon turned into a nightmare as he was sentenced to nine years in prison at Malaga's toughest jail.

Tim's first days in jail were full of fear and confusion. He was thrown into a cell with other criminals, who did not speak his language. Daily routines were dominated by the prison gangs who operated a black economy, and violence was a regular occurrence. Tim, who had never been in a fight before, was scared and desperately wanted to find a way to survive.

Locked Up Abroad season 4 episode 5: Spain showcases Tim's journey as he tries to find a way to cling to the little bit of hope left. Viewers will see him trying to navigate the Spanish justice system, which is completely different from the UK. Tim will also struggle to learn some Spanish to communicate with other inmates, and he will be seen struggling with the shock of being incarcerated while trying to adapt to the prison's cruel way of life.

Despite the tough circumstances, Tim manages to find unexpected allies who help him deal with the prison gangs and gain the respect of other inmates. Most importantly, he tries to appeal for clemency while also trying to prove his innocence.

Locked Up Abroad season 4 episode 5: Spain is an eye-opening and heart-wrenching tale of a man whose adventurous spirit landed him in the worst prison in Spain. Tim's journey to redemption is breathtaking and will leave viewers rooting for the underdog. Through the course of the episode, viewers will be able to see the awful things that people do when they want a quick buck or a sense of danger and what they are willing to lose in order to get it.