Women Behind Bars With Trevor McDonald

Episode one
Following on from two-parter ‘Inside Death Row’, Trevor McDonald goes back in the slammer to reveal the experience of female convicts in two of America’s highest security prisons. Again, he takes a somewhat feeble, softly-softly approach to interviewing the women. Polite to a fault, he asks about the families they’ve left behind, enquires what they’re in for, and tries to get a handle on their daily routine.

Rarely, however, does he get into the nitty gritty of why they committed these (sometimes horrific) crimes or any consequent remorse they might feel, so the programme is only at its best when the interviewed prisoner is generously forthcoming. Sarah Pender, for example – convicted of double homicide – reveals how she escaped the compound walls with the help of an officer, while her friend talks frankly about gay relationships within the intense environment.

It’s a fascinating glimpse into these usually closed-off lives, but McDonald’s conservative approach means you’re firmly kept at arms length.