Ep 3. Episode 3

Behind Bars: Women Inside season 1 episode 3 continues to follow the lives of the female inmates at the Foston Hall prison in Derbyshire, England. In this episode, viewers will witness the challenges faced by these women as they attempt to rebuild their lives and create a sense of normalcy behind bars.

The episode begins with a focus on the educational opportunities available to the women of Foston Hall. The prison offers a range of courses, from basic literacy and numeracy skills to more advanced qualifications in subjects such as IT and catering. We meet several women who are taking advantage of these opportunities, including a mother who is studying for her GCSEs alongside her teenage daughter, who is also an inmate at the prison.

As we delve further into the lives of these women, we learn about the impact that their incarceration has had on their families. Many of these women have young children who are living with relatives or in foster care while their mothers are in prison. We meet one inmate who is preparing for a visit from her young son, who she hasn't seen in several months. It's an emotional encounter, as the woman struggles to connect with her child after such a long separation.

Throughout the episode, we also see the challenges faced by the prison staff as they try to maintain order and discipline within the facility. One inmate, in particular, becomes a source of frustration for both staff and fellow inmates. She is aggressive and argumentative, often getting into confrontations with other prisoners. Her behaviour puts her at risk of being transferred to a higher security facility, which would mean losing the limited freedoms she currently enjoys at Foston Hall.

Despite the many difficulties they face, the women of Foston Hall continue to support each other and create a sense of community behind bars. We see them bonding over music, sharing stories about their families, and offering comfort and advice to those who are struggling.

Overall, Behind Bars: Women Inside season 1 episode 3 offers a poignant look at life behind bars for female inmates in the UK. It highlights the challenges they face, both inside the prison walls and beyond, as well as the resilience and strength they exhibit in the face of adversity. It's a powerful reminder of the human stories behind the statistics of incarceration.