Within These Walls

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Within These Walls
Genre Soap Opera
Created by David Butler
Directed by John Reardon, Peter Moffatt, Paul Annett, Tony Wharmby, Jim Goddard, Christopher Hodson, Bill Bain, Philip Casson
Starring Googie Withers
Jerome Willis
Denys Hawthorne
Beth Harris
Mona Bruce
Sonia Graham
Joan Benham
Janet Lees Price
Theme music composer Denis King
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 5
No. of episodes 72
Production
Executive producer(s) Rex Firkin
Producer(s) Jack Williams
Location(s) London, England
Running time 52 mins (excluding commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel London Weekend
Picture format PAL 576i
Original run 4 January 1974 – 15 April 1978
External links
Production website

Within These Walls is a British television drama programme made by London Weekend Television for ITV and shown between 1974 and 1978. It portrayed life in HMP Stone Park, a fictional women's prison. Unlike the later women-in-prison TV series Prisoner (aka Prisoner: Cell Block H, original run 1979-1986) and Bad Girls (1999–2006), Within These Walls tended to centre its storylines around the prison staff rather than the inmates.

The lead character was the well-groomed, genteel governor Faye Boswell (Googie Withers), and episodes revolved around her attempts to liberalise the prison regime while managing her personal life at home. Another prominent character was her Chief Officer, Mrs. Armitage (Mona Bruce). Googie Withers left after three series; in Series Four her character was replaced as governor by Helen Forrester (Katharine Blake (actress)|Katharine Blake), who in turn left to be replaced in the final Series Five by Susan Marshall (Sarah Lawson).

The creator and writer of the programme, David Butler, played the prison chaplain,[1] the Rev Henry Prentice, in some episodes.

As of November 2011 Network DVD have released all five series in the UK,[2] with the exception of "Nowhere for the Kids", an episode from Series Two which appears to have been wiped from the archives.

Ironically, one audience unable to watch the series were real-life prison inmates: The programme was broadcast at 9:00 p.m., but prisoners were locked in their cells 30 minutes earlier.

Cast

  • Googie Withers as Prison Governor - Faye Boswell
  • Katharine Blake as Prison Governor - Helen Forrester
  • Sarah Lawson as Prison Governor - Sarah Marshall
  • Mona Bruce as Mrs. Armitage
  • Jerome Willis as Charles Radley
  • Denys Hawthorne as Dr. Peter Mayes
  • Beth Harris as Miss Clarke
  • Elaine Wells as Prison Officer Spencer
  • Sonia Graham as Martha Parrish
  • Miranda Forbes as Prison Officer Parsons
  • Janet Lees Price as Janet Harker

Another successful alumnus from this series was actor Helen Worth, now widely known for her role of Gail Platt on Coronation Street.

Overview

Season Episodes Originally aired DVD release dates Discs
Region 2 Region 1 Region 4
Series 1 13 January 1974 - March 1974 17 July 2006 4
Series 2 12 (Episode 3 'Nowhere For The Kids' missing) January 1975 - April 1975 6 April 2009 4
Series 3 16 September 1975 - December 1975 8 March 2010 4
Series 4 17 September 1976 - December 1976 30 June 2011 5
Series 5 13 January 1978 - April 1978 7 November 2011 4

Episodes

Series 1

Total
#
Series
#
Title Director Writer(s) Original airdate
11 "Cause for Concern" John ReardonDavid Butler4 January 1974
Faye Boswell has been in charge at Stone Park women's prison for just one month when a prisoner on remand, Martha Kyle, starts to spread stories in the newspaper about her mistreatment by the prison officers. Kyle is a political activist and is taking any opportunity she can to gain publicity. Meanwhile, another prisoner, Peggy Abbot screams every time a prison officer goes near her because she thinks she will be beaten up for being black. Is this simply a misconception of the prison system or is there more to it… 
22 "Lesson Number One" Peter MoffattDavid Butler11 January 1974
Peggy Abbot is put to work in the prison's nursery to help her cope with her children when she gets out. Things go well at first but soon Peggy starts to show signs of slipping back into her bad old ways... Elsewhere, concern is aired about the friendship between Lily, a domineering prison veteran and Nora a simple-minded first offender. Meanwhile Money is made available for improving the prison. All Faye has to do is to decide where to spend it... 
33 "The Walls Came Tumbling Down" Paul AnnettDavid Butler18 January 1974
Building work has begun on filling in the floors of the upper wings to give the prisoners more space. With space at a minimum to house the prisoners while the work is being done trouble soon starts to brew. Then the work starts to slow down. It seems that the work party, made up of male prisoners, don't want to leave. Meanwhile, Faye's son, Paul brings a girl, Sally home with him. Sally has forthright views on the prison system which clash with Faye's. A few days later a prisoner who has just arrived at Stone Park on remand for drug offences asks to see the governor. When the prisoner is brought to Faye she is surprised to discover that the prisoner is Sally... 
44 "In Her Own Right" Tony WharmbyAdele Rose25 January 1974
Stone Park's Deputy Governor, Charles Radley, is threatened by a prisoner. 
55 "Prisoner by Marriage" Paul AnnettTony Hoare1 February 1974
Jane Brogan is transferred to Stone Park so that she can be near her husband and children. However, Brogan wants out and intends use her husband any way she can to achieve this aim. Meanwhile, a 16 year old borstal escapee is sent to Stone Park to await trial. Doctor Mayes is incensed by the girl's treatment by the system which he feels has failed her totally. He tries to help her, but her distrusted of authority figures threatens to hinder his attempts... 
66 "The Group" Jim GoddardTerence Feely8 February 1974
The drugs unit of Stone Park is one of Faye's main concerns, thinking that there must be a better way of treating drug addicts than putting them in prison and doping them up on legal drug substitutes. Dr Mayes introduces Faye to a friend of his, Dr Ormonde who has tried to deal with drug addiction by using group therapy, dealing with the psychological side of the problem. Concerns amongst the prison staff are raised about the scheme because to make the group idea work the addicts must be kept off all drugs. Despite this Faye allows Dr Mayes to set a group up. Things go reasonably well. However, a fly in the ointment in the shape of hardcore addict Magda soon starts to causing trouble... 
77 "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back" Tony WharmbyTony Parker15 February 1974
Marilyn Hunter has been in mental hospitals since being convicted of murdering two babies left in her care 12 years previous. Now having been given a clean bill of health she has been transferred to Stone Park. Faye manages to persuade the authorities to allow her to the transfer her without a guard. However, her decision to stop for tea on the way back to Stone Park with Marilyn could cost Faye her job... Meanwhile, prisoner Joan Harrison is due to be moved to a semi-open prison within days However she doesn't want to leave Stone Park. In particular she doesn't want to leave Martha Parrish behind... 
88 "Failing to Report" Christopher HodsonRosemary Anne Sisson22 February 1974
After attending a conference as a representative of Stone Park Charles Radley receives a summons to court over a motoring incident he was involved in. He decides against telling Faye about the incident. Then the papers get hold of the story... Meanwhile, Claire Staines, a usually passive if distant prisoner begins to show signs of descent for no apparently good reason. 
99 "Tea on St. Pancras Station" Paul AnnettSusan Pleat1 March 1974
Shirley, a prisoner with mental problems who has passed through institutions run by Faye before is due for release from Stone Park. However, with the medical world having washed their hands of Shirley as an incurable and disruptive case Faye begins to worry about what will become of Shirley once she's on the outside. Faye resolves to help Shirley and make sure that she doesn't end up in prison again. 
1010 "Guessing Game" Bill BainPeter J. Hammond8 March 1974
Governor Boswell has to put up with George, an old friend and ex-magistrate, who has peculiar ideas regarding the adaptability of women in prison. 
1111 "When the Bough Breaks" Christopher HodsonFelicity Douglas15 March 1974
The sentencing of a baby-snatcher creates tension between the prison inmates and the staff. 
1212 "Labour of Love" Paul AnnettPeter Wildeblood22 March 1974
A problem arises for Governor Boswell when a prisoner begins making paperweights. 
1313 "A Sense of Duty" Bill BainDavid Butler29 March 1974
The staff of Stone Park Prison disapprove of the sentencing of a prisoner who poisoned her dying father. 

Series 2

Total
#
Series
#
Title Director Writer(s) Original airdate
141 "When the Door Opens" Philip CassonDavid Butler10 January 1975
An old enemy awaits a prisoner who leaves solitary confinement. 
152 "Remand Wing" Paul AnnettSusan Pleat17 January 1975
An elderly prisoner causes problems in the remand wing. 
163 "Nowhere for the Kids" Richard DoubledayAdele Rose24 January 1975
Missing Episode 
174 "The Slap" Malcolm TaylorKathleen J. Smith31 January 1975
A child-murderer faces a very cold reception from both the inmates and the guards of Stone Park prison. 
185 "Playground" John ReardonP.J. Hammond7 February 1975
A woman sentenced for child neglect perplexes all when she continues to disown the child. 
196 "The Truth Game" Jim GoddardRosemary Anne Sisson14 February 1975
The two new prison officers who join the staff seem to display very different attitudes about their jobs. 
207 "Debate" Tony WharmbyTony Parker21 February 1975
The Governor and her staff must find a way to deal with a constant troublemaker. 
218 "Protest" Brian IzzardTony Hoare28 February 1975
The death of a prisoner leads inmate Kane to organize a protest about the COD verdict. 
229 "Let the People See" Philip CassonPeter Wildeblood7 March 1975
As bad publicity continues to rise, Governor Boswell invites a film crew to make a Stone Park documentary. 
2310 "Skivers" Bryan IzzardDavid Butler14 March 1975
Dr. Mayes discovers that an inmate has a serious condition after investigating her acute indigestion. 
2411 "Coming Home" Philip CassonTerence Feely21 March 1975
Boswell and Radley have a disagreement about her radical plan in confronting Stone Park's drug issues. 
2512 "The Good Life" James OrmerodVictor Pemberton4 April 1975
An upper class woman on a murder charge arrives at Stone Park. 
2613 "For Life" Philip CassonDavid Butler11 April 1975

Series 3

Total
#
Series
#
Title Director Writer(s) Original airdate
271 "To Reason Why" Philip CassonDavid Butler6 September 1975
Governor Boswell's resolve is tested as more unrest plagues Stone Park. 
282 "Prison Cat" Paddy RussellKathleen J. Smith13 September 1975
293 "Deception" Philip CassonTony Hoare20 September 1975
Officer White becomes involved with a young inmate. 
304 "Babyface" Malcolm TaylorDavid Butler27 September 1975
Governor Boswell searches for a way to stop the campaign of violence that is continuing at Stone Park. 
315 "Long Shadows" Derrick GoodwinStuart Douglass4 October 1975
326 "The Keys" John ReardonSusan Pleat11 October 1975
The inmates at Stone Park find themselves the target of Officer Pinner's personal misfortunes. 
337 "A Lurking Doubt" Mike GibbonFelicity Douglas18 October 1975
An inmate convinces Governor Boswell that she is innocent of her crime. 
348 "Mother's Girl" John GorrieTerence Feely25 October 1975
Stone Park's latest problem is a prisoner guilty of fraud and smuggling. 
359 "A Free Woman" John GorrieJulia Jones1 November 1975
Stone Park receives an inmate who was intentionally caught shoplifting as a way to escape her husband. 
3610 "Getting Out" Bill BainDavid Butler8 November 1975
Problems abound when an inmate arrives who can't speak English and the only option is to let another prisoner act as interpreter. 
3711 "Windows" Christopher HodsonP.J. Hammond15 November 1975
3812 "Get the Glory Down" Bryan IzzardPeter Wildeblood22 November 1975
Prisoner Baines starts to believe she has special powers after her curse on a fellow inmate has surprising results. 
3913 "My Dad was Called Charlie" Bryan IzzardAdele Rose29 November 1975
4014 "Inside Out" Mike GibbonMona Bruce and Robert James6 December 1975
A petty theft inmate asks for an abortion from Dr. Mayes. 
4115 "The Animals Went in Two By Two" Tony WharmbySusan Pleat13 December 1975
A nurse serving time for murder becomes emotionally attached to a pair of inmates. 
4216 "On the Second Day of Christmas" Bill BainDavid Butler20 December 1975

Series 4

Total
#
Series
#
Title Director Writer(s) Original airdate
431 "Catalyst" Christopher HodsonDavid Butler4 September 1976
Helen Forrester is appointed as the new governor of Stone Park, and quickly finds herself tested with the discipline of the inmates. 
442 "The Man With the Magic Touch" Christopher HodsonTerence Feely11 September 1976
Governor Forrester is concerned with the privileges extended to inmates undergoing treatment for drug addiction. 
453 "The Complaint" Paul AnnettTony Hoare18 September 1976
Mavis Smith accuses Officer Spencer of theft after her cell is ransacked. 
464 "The Line of Duty" Paddy RussellDavid Butler25 September 1976
The prison officers take another look at the rules after being reprimanded by Governor Forrester. 
475 "K Block" Bryan IzzardDavid Butler2 October 1976
486 "A Way of Loving" John GorrieJohn Gorrie9 October 1976
Women prisoners turn to each other for love. Faye Boswell's approach is tolerant and liberal which causes problems with her staff. 
497 "Love and the Chaplain" Paddy RussellKathleen J. Smith16 October 1976
508 "The Mystery" Bryan IzzardTony Hoare23 October 1976
A new prisoner refuses to speak about her family and takes a strange interest in a child-murderer. 
519 "A Sentence of Death" Bryan IzzardPeter Wildeblood30 October 1976
A gypsy, convicted of contempt of court, finds that being locked up is difficult after her lifetime in the open. 
5210 "Vacuum" Paul AnnettP.J. Hammond6 November 1976
Mr. Radley proposes special treatment for a new prisoner who refuses to speak. 
5311 "On Trial" Marek KanievskaSusan Pleat13 November 1976
5412 "Visitors" Peter MoffattTerence Feely20 November 1976
The Governor expresses concern about Radley's proposal to try a new visitation system. 
5513 "Transfer" Christopher HodsonTony Parker27 November 1976
A mystery appears when a transfer from Rugely Prison arrives with an incomplete file. 
5614 "Someone's Got to Do It" Mike GibbonMona Bruce and Robert James4 December 1976
Mrs. Armitage confronts the Governor about the continual problem of violence among the prisoners. 
5715 "Islands in the Heartline" Marek KanievskaSusan Pleat11 December 1976
Miss Clarke helps Sarah after she becomes obsessed with Dr. Mayes. 
5816 "Invasion of Privacy" Bill BainDavid Butler18 December 1976
Mrs. Weeks, an elderly alcoholic, is back at Stone Park; The Governor's sister pays a visit. 
5917 "Silent Night" Phillip CassonDavid Butler24 December 1976
Stone Park does its best to celebrate Christmas. 

Series 5

Total
#
Series
#
Title Director Writer(s) Original airdate
601 "Mixer" Christopher HodsonDavid Butler21 January 1978
612 "Arrivals, Departures" Paul AnnettDavid Butler28 January 1978
623 ""Raft"" Christphoer HodsonP.J. Hammond4 February 1978
634 "Public Opinion" Marek KanievskaMona Bruce and Robert James11 February 1978
645 "Sisters" John GorrieJohn Gorrie18 February 1978
656 "Love Me, Love My Bear" Bryan IzzardTerence Feely25 February 1978
667 "The Inquest" Bryan IzzardTony Hoare4 March 1978
678 "The Governor" Marek KanievskaSusan Pleat11 March 1978
The governor is accused of being too distant by a prison officer. 
689 "Freedom" Tony WharmbyTony Parker18 March 1978
6910 "New Girls" Michael E. BriantKathleen J. Smith25 March 1978
7011 "One for the Road" Peter MoffattPeter Wildeblood1 April 1978
7112 "Nemesis" Christopher HodsonMona Bruce and Robert James8 April 1978
Jennifer Rawlings begins serving her life sentence for killing her son's murderer. 
7213 "Is There Anyone There?" John GorrieDavid Butler15 April 1978
Tottie Dowd stirs up more trouble in Stone Park. 

The Lost episode

Episode three from series 2, "Nowhere for the Kids", no longer exists in any format, but its script is included in PDF format on Series Two, Disc One. The script is located in the root directory of the DVD and is called "Within These Walls-N#149129.pdf" The script lists St. John's Waterloo church as the rehearsal hall for read-through for the shows.

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.