Portland Prison featured on television last night.

Inside Prison: Britain Behind Bars is a new four-part documentary series which goes inside the walls of six prisons to offer an insight into the harsh realities of life behind bars today for inmates and staff.

At a time when the Prime Minister has promised a £2.5 billion investment in more prison places, the series examines the challenges presented to staff by escalating levels of violence across UK jails, and explores how officers drawn from a broad range of backgrounds, ages and experiences build and maintain relationships with prisoners from young offenders to vulnerable women.

Alongside the aspects of life behind bars, the series reveals how prison officers now joining the service will be involved in spearheading rehabilitation schemes aimed at helping to turn prisoners’ lives around to stop them reoffending.

The adult and YOI at HMP Portland featured on last night’s episode.

Former stonemason and rookie officer Mike Crocker is fresh from a 10-week training course, and described the shock to his system after just a fortnight on the wing at HMP Portland. New prisoner Justin Millington, who has been transferred in from another jail, says he has heard that someone on the wing is spreading false rumours that he’s a sex offender.