0:00:02 > 0:00:05This programme contains strong language.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08HMP Pentonville in London is one of Britain's toughest prisons.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Over a whole year, for the first time on television,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19the BBC has followed repeat offenders inside jail...
0:00:19 > 0:00:20You bastards!
0:00:20 > 0:00:22..outside on release...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Freedom!
0:00:26 > 0:00:28..and even back inside again.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29As mad as it sounds,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32I felt happy when I come back to jail.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37Mick is stuck in a cycle of homelessness and petty offending.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42The only way I can survive outside for longer than Friday
0:00:42 > 0:00:43is to commit crime.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48This is where we live, cos at least we're under the shelter there...
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Senol wants to put a violent past behind him.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Armed robbery, burglary,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58offensive weapons, and that sort of stuff.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02But life in prison is easier to cope with than life outside.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04You're not helping me, Dan.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07I've come out of jail, man. I want to stop drinking.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08I need help.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13Half of prisoners from Britain's jails reoffend within one year.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Each one has their own story.
0:01:28 > 0:01:337,500 offenders come in and out of Pentonville every year.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Affray, criminal damage.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Norman, on the left hand side, me old mate.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39Mick Norman is a regular.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43He's 43 and has 119 offences on his record,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46most linked to crack and heroin use.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48- Norman.- Norman?
0:01:48 > 0:01:51This time he's inside for stealing bottles of spirits,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53which he sells for cash.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Right now, Mick would rather be locked up in Pentonville than free.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05In here I'm safe, I'm clean and sober,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09I've got a bed, my food's here, I've got a job, I've got tobacco,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12I've got friends, I've got staff I know.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Out there I'm living at the bottom of a block of flats in a bin shed.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20No money. I've got no ID, so I'm not claiming.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21All I need is...
0:02:24 > 0:02:26..a cuddle, you know?
0:02:26 > 0:02:29That's all I want, someone to say it'll be all right, you know?
0:02:29 > 0:02:32It ain't going to be like that, is it?
0:02:32 > 0:02:34so my safest place is Pentonville.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Staff do try to prepare repeat offenders for release,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44but every day there are more urgent challenges to face
0:02:44 > 0:02:49from Pentonville's many difficult and dangerous inmates.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54JP... anyone in Healthcare got a radio, please? Out.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Today's duty governor has to deal with a mentally disturbed prisoner
0:02:58 > 0:03:00who's refusing to take his medication.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05He's incredibly aggressive and won't even entertain any staff
0:03:05 > 0:03:10attempting to help him, which is when we see him spitting at staff
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and punching staff and throwing things, and he secretes weapons
0:03:13 > 0:03:16to try and use against the staff, so it's very, very tricky.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22A team is taken away from normal duties
0:03:22 > 0:03:24and sent to the Healthcare wing,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28just to make sure the prisoner gets the treatment he needs.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32He's very, very volatile. Even if he is compliant at first,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34please remain on your guard,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36because he does have a history of staff assaults.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Keep your shields down, cos he spits.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Officers must give the prisoner every chance to comply
0:03:56 > 0:03:59but make sure they are protected if he hits out.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Keep going. One more step. Keep to the left.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Take some steps to the left.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Again. Again.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Wait there.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Put your left hand down the base of your back.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Good man. And now the right.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Well done.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Since he refuses medication,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28staff must manoeuvre him into a position
0:04:28 > 0:04:30where it can be safely administered.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Walk out. Walk out. Walk out.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59On A Wing, another new arrival.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Senol Bicer is 36.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03Take a seat.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06He's been in and out of jail since he was a teenager
0:05:06 > 0:05:10for robbery, burglary and assault.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- Have you been here before?- Yeah.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- When was the last time you were here?- Last year.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17What's your offence?
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Offensive weapon, a lock knife.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- Possession of offensive weapon, yeah?- Yeah.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26He's hoping a spell inside can set him straight.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30'Well, I'm 36, so realistically,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33'I've done 22 years of my life in jail.'
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Outside, it's hard, because you've got this to do...
0:05:38 > 0:05:42It's hard. When you come to prison, it's easy.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43Do you know what I mean?
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Like, you've got your telly, you've got your kettle,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48you've got your meals three times a day...
0:05:48 > 0:05:50You know what I mean? It's easy.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54You've got no bills to pay, no nothing. Do you know what I mean?
0:05:54 > 0:05:56So that's how it is.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I wanted to come to prison today, do you know what I mean?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Because it's too much for me out there,
0:06:01 > 0:06:07because I'm an ex-heroin addict and an alcoholic,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09so for me to come to prison,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13it helps me come out clean, you know what I mean?
0:06:13 > 0:06:19That's why I'm here, cos I want to give myself a break and...
0:06:19 > 0:06:20you know?
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Outside prison, Senol has fallen out with his fiancee.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27He wants his mum to contact her.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Did you speak to Nina?
0:06:31 > 0:06:32And what she say?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34We can start again, Mum.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Just tell her that we can start again, and...
0:06:36 > 0:06:37You know what I mean, Mum?
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Yeah, but Mum, I still love her and that, you know what I mean?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I'm going to go, right. Do what I asked you.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45Just tell her that I love her,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49and tell her to write me a letter so that I know what's happening.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Senol will be in Pentonville for two months.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01On C Wing, staff are monitoring a prisoner
0:07:01 > 0:07:04who is creating a major disturbance.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07LOUD BANGING
0:07:07 > 0:07:12We have a chap on here, Mr Kieran. He's been here for several weeks,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- he's... - BANGING CONTINUES
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- That's him now. - That's him now, yeah.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19He's going home in the next few days,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22but he seems to be getting maybe anxious about that as well.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27The prisoner will be let out of his cell to get his lunch,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31but Principal Officer Bartley has concerns.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34He's been banging his door, he's quite irate, he's asking,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37making demands about all manner of things.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39If it comes to a restraint,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42then I expect three officers to be doing the restraint
0:07:42 > 0:07:44and Mr Lawrence to oversee it.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46SCREAMING
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Outside the servery, the prisoner has thrown a plate of food
0:07:50 > 0:07:54at another inmate and officers are forced to restrain him.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55OK, relax.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58SCREAMING CONTINUES
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Release your right arm.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06You bastards!
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Right, stand him up. Stand him up.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15SCREAMING CONTINUES
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Right, OK. Mr Lawrence.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Right, OK.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22Just nice and easy.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24I'm going to take you to the segregation unit now.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26You're going to give me a right kicking, aren't you?
0:08:26 > 0:08:27No, not at all. Not at all.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Down in the segregation unit,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37Sean Kieran will be searched, then led to a cell.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42He is nearing the end of a short sentence for a drunken fight.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49After two hours, Sean is calm enough to explain
0:08:49 > 0:08:51his fears about leaving jail.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55He has a drink problem and suffers from depression,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57and he's wanted more help from the prison.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01What's worrying you about getting out?
0:09:01 > 0:09:03'I've got a lot to not look forward to.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05'I'm probably going to lose my flat.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07'I don't know if the gas and electricity's on.'
0:09:07 > 0:09:13One thing I'd been given help for in the past was about utility bills,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15getting in touch with gas and electricity people
0:09:15 > 0:09:19to say, you know, "Yo, I'm in prison."
0:09:19 > 0:09:22And this time round it's been like I've been asking for someone
0:09:22 > 0:09:24to amputate an arm off themselves.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26The point is I'm an alcoholic,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29and I've been trying my best to stop drinking.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34And I'm terrified of going out, picking up, as I threatened to do,
0:09:34 > 0:09:36a bottle of Jack Daniel's and this time chugging it
0:09:36 > 0:09:40like it was just water and to hell with the consequences.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42In here you can stay clean and sober.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Yeah, exactly, but once you're out in the real world,
0:09:46 > 0:09:47it's a different matter.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52I'd get roaring drunk and end up dead somehow, under a car.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Someone kill me, thinking I'm going to hurt them. You know.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03At Pentonville, prisoners can do courses
0:10:03 > 0:10:05or attend education classes,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09but many are locked up 23 hours a day.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14Right, gents. Let's have you away, G wing.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20On G Wing, Mick Norman is allowed out of his cell
0:10:20 > 0:10:22to work as a cleaner.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27'I shouldn't say it, but I have got a bit of a soft spot for Mr Norman.'
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Norman, you know what they say, a woman's work is never done.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32I don't know what he does outside.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Maybe he's a total pain the arse outside.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39And his victims probably would have a different thing to say about it,
0:10:39 > 0:10:40but in here, he's as good as gold.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Mick is currently is drug free.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47But years trapped in a cycle of prison,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49addiction and homelessness
0:10:49 > 0:10:52have left him estranged from his family.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Where do you stay when you go out there?
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- Bin shed.- Awww!
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- Unless I've got safe housing... - Yeah.- ..I'm going to be back.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I'm better off here.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- I've got my food, I've got a bed... - Yeah.- I've got you...
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Awww. It's a sorry state of affairs, isn't it?
0:11:07 > 0:11:08I'm not the only one, am I?
0:11:08 > 0:11:11You've got family outside and everything, haven't you?
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- I don't see them. - Where are your kids?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15With their mums, with my family.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- I don't even see them.- Why?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19What am I going to do? Come out of jail and say,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22"I'm back again for a couple of weeks," and piss off again?
0:11:22 > 0:11:23I'm better off not seeing them.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- I ain't seen my boy for nearly two years.- How old is he?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28He's 16, he ain't even got a mum. He lives at my mum's house.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30I've had him since he was a baby.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32How do you know that he feels like that?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34How do you know he doesn't want you to come round?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37It doesn't matter what he wants. My mum don't want it.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39You could write her a letter and just explain how you feel.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I've said it all before, Miss. I've said it all before.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45Yeah, but I just don't think you can sort of give up, really.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46I just don't think...
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I think you've just got to keep trying, basically.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Keep trying.
0:11:52 > 0:11:53Perhaps I will.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56My son hasn't got a mum or nothing. He's at his grandmother's house.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59I stay out of contact with him because that's better for him.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02The best thing I can do is stay away from my mum,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06cos then I'm doing the right thing by my son.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Until I can be a responsible parent again,
0:12:08 > 0:12:12and a productive member of society, I've got no right to be around him.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14At the moment he's safe, he's doing well at school,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17he plays music, he's a mentor for other kids.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I'm really proud of him, but...
0:12:20 > 0:12:22And I miss him. Don't get me wrong, I...
0:12:24 > 0:12:25Erm...
0:12:29 > 0:12:31He's my boy, isn't he? You know what I mean?
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Mick will be out in just three weeks.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Local councils seldom offer immediate housing
0:12:39 > 0:12:41to newly released prisoners,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44so it's up to the prison's drugs support team
0:12:44 > 0:12:46to try and find him somewhere to sleep.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54Down in segregation,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57officers deal with a dirty protest every few weeks.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01Sean Kieran has now become so desperate
0:13:01 > 0:13:04about his imminent release that he's started one too.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08He's put shit on the observation panel,
0:13:08 > 0:13:09so there's two things there -
0:13:09 > 0:13:13we can't see in so we can't do for his protection and his welfare,
0:13:13 > 0:13:15but we've got to see in.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Because of the level of excrement in there,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- we should get kitted up, yeah?- Right.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24We'll get the white suits on, cos it could end up...
0:13:24 > 0:13:26It's all over the door.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Gloves. Access to keys...
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Mr Kieran, to the back of the cell.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44The rules are that dirty protesters must stay in the same cell
0:13:44 > 0:13:46until they have ended their protest,
0:13:46 > 0:13:50so staff have to clean up around Sean Kieran.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02It's nothing we've never seen before.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03It's nothing we'll not see again.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06We'll just see it every other day. It happens once or twice a month.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Even if they're on a dirty protest, prisoners must be offered food.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Right, Mr Kieran.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Stand to the back of your cell.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Sean Kieran is becoming increasingly disturbed.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- You have lost now.- What? - If I get out of here,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29I'm doing to do something really off the fucking grid.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- All right. Stand to the back of the cell.- Fuck you.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Fucking hard man, come in here
0:14:36 > 0:14:39and I'll give you a fucking Glasgow kiss to lay you low.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Dirt fucking nap!
0:14:45 > 0:14:47You're only fucking hard with other men behind you.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- I know you. Playground.- Yeah.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Thank you.- Went to the same school?
0:14:54 > 0:14:55No.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01It takes another day in the segregation unit
0:15:01 > 0:15:04for Sean Kieran to bring his protest to an end.
0:15:07 > 0:15:08I freaked out...
0:15:11 > 0:15:12..again.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15But I'm all right now.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- You're all right now.- Yeah.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20So you woke up this morning and things felt better?
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Yeah, I was thinking a lot more clearly.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Making stupid remarks like Glasgow kisses and all that,
0:15:26 > 0:15:27you know...
0:15:28 > 0:15:32I suppose, in a way, it's like false bravado, if you like.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Senol has been in jail a fortnight.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43He's sobered up, and started thinking about
0:15:43 > 0:15:46what keeps dragging him back inside.
0:15:46 > 0:15:52I know what has triggered me off to be like this.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56When my dad passed away seven years ago this August.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59I do think about my dad, but it's hard.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04I still think my dad's at home drinking his whisky and that.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06But he ain't.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09'That's what made me go a bit cranky.'
0:16:09 > 0:16:13So I've got to let go, but I don't think I've let go yet.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Though he's calmer inside prison,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Senol is anxious about what's going on outside.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23'Obviously I love my girl, innit?
0:16:23 > 0:16:26'I was going to get married to her, but I don't know what's going on.'
0:16:26 > 0:16:29She ain't even sent me a letter or nothing.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32I dunno, I'm just... I'm irritable, you know what I mean?
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Oh, man.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37It's horrible, man.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40'I'm worried about her.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43'I don't know if she still loves me or not, I don't know.'
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Just have to find out, wait and see.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48I don't know.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Mick Norman will be freed today,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04but because his sentence is under 12 months,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06he'll have no probation officer.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08He may also have nowhere to stay,
0:17:08 > 0:17:12and weeks of delay before he can access benefits.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15The only way I can survive outside is to commit crime.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Where am I going to sleep the night after?
0:17:17 > 0:17:19What do I eat the day after?
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Where do I go? What do I do? Where do I wash?
0:17:22 > 0:17:24I'm not a street beggar, I'm a grafter.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27So I'm going to out to graft to earn me bloody money...
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Why am I going to sleep on the street when I can go and
0:17:29 > 0:17:31earn myself one and a half, 200 quid in a morning?
0:17:31 > 0:17:33And I can do the same in the afternoon
0:17:33 > 0:17:35and pay for an hotel for a week or something.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36But it's still the wrong road, isn't it?
0:17:36 > 0:17:38The worst it can get for me is here.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40It's the worst that can happen is this,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42and I ain't got to pay for this, have I?
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Sad, I know, but it's true.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51Good luck. Hopefully, we won't see you soon.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Hopefully, but I've left my bed as it is.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57No, that's not the attitude.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Me cell's on hold for the day.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- I hope we don't see you back. - I won't.- Take care.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- See you after, Miss. Thanks for everything, yeah?- See you.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09You've got £15.67 of your own money.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11We're given you £7.70 fares, £46 discharge grant.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14That's a total of £69.37.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- You happy you've got everything? - Yes, Miss.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18Right, you going to behave yourself?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20We won't hold our breath on that one then, eh?
0:18:23 > 0:18:27The prison has set up a meeting for Mick at a housing charity,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30but - even if he can tackle all the bureaucracy involved -
0:18:30 > 0:18:33he has no guarantee of a roof over his head tonight.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Well I'm out. So...
0:18:39 > 0:18:41The plan is go and get my birth certificate,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44shoot to Tooting Bec, get my final assessment,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47try and get my housing benefit forms in. If they accept that,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49I might be able to get in a property today.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52If they don't and I've got to wait more than four or five days
0:18:52 > 0:18:55to get in anywhere, I'm not prepared to stay out on the street
0:18:55 > 0:18:57for four or five days, so I prefer to come back to Pentonville.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00So what do you think your chances of staying out of this jail
0:19:00 > 0:19:02for the weekend are?
0:19:02 > 0:19:05This time round, 60/40.
0:19:06 > 0:19:0860/40 in your favour?
0:19:10 > 0:19:11Yeah.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It's out of my hands. I've done what I can do.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19I'll give you a call, meet you over there.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Mick never did call.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26A few weeks later, we were to discover why.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37Sean is leaving too.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41After getting help from the prison's addiction support team,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44he feels calm about re-entering the world outside.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46On the day of his release,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50he even takes time to write a farewell letter.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54This is a letter for Mr Monaghan, the governor.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56"Thanks to all at the "Ville" for their tough love.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59"In no particular order of any kind..." blah blah blah...
0:19:59 > 0:20:02"Thanks in the final analysis for looking after me.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04"Yours sincerely, peace and love, Sean Kieran."
0:20:04 > 0:20:06So you feel you've been well looked after here?
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Yeah, really. Because, you know...
0:20:10 > 0:20:13..things are done for a good reason while you're here.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16You don't always understand why.
0:20:17 > 0:20:18A happy customer?
0:20:18 > 0:20:20So to speak, yeah.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22HE SIGHS
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Freedom!
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Mel Gibson, Braveheart.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31Secure, yeah? Prison number?
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Bye-bye. Peace.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43Look after yourselves, lads.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51Despite his anxieties inside jail, Sean still has a home to go to.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Home again, home again, jiggedy-jig.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59'I've got lots to keep me active.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02'Keep me away from trouble.'
0:21:02 > 0:21:07That's my, you know, release from prison to back home.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- So far so good?- Yep.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Senol Bicer has been waiting for news from the woman
0:21:21 > 0:21:24he hopes will one day be his wife.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It's been a good week for me so far.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29I've got two letters.
0:21:29 > 0:21:30She's saying...
0:21:31 > 0:21:37..that when I get out, we're going to start again,
0:21:37 > 0:21:41try for a baby, get married, that sort of thing,
0:21:41 > 0:21:46so yeah, she's telling me she loves me, which is a good thing,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48do you know what I mean? Cos I was paranoid.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Cos when you come to prison, you do get paranoid.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55You think... like, they're doing something else out there,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58you know what I mean? But all girls ain't the same.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01And she's even put "Nina Bicer",
0:22:01 > 0:22:04so I'm just waiting to give her a big kiss.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06You know? A cuddle.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Reassured, Senol now gets to work,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13and takes up some of the opportunities
0:22:13 > 0:22:16the prison has on offer to prepare for life outside.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22No one can say I've been sitting down doing nothing.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25I'm doing things in jail, while I'm in jail.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28By the end of next month, I will be drug-free.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I've got three certificates already.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34I've got "Change in possible"...
0:22:34 > 0:22:36"Change IS possible", sorry.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40And I've got relaxation, and now I've got hoovering.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43That was the main one. That was my main one.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46For my drug use, you know?
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Hopefully, you know, I'll get a job.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Know what I mean?
0:22:52 > 0:22:55And just live a normal life like other people,
0:22:55 > 0:22:56cos I'm fed up with this.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59It's not me no more.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01I've done my time. I've served my time.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Another repeat offender, Graham Shiels,
0:23:12 > 0:23:16is nearing the end of a 16 month sentence for robbery.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Graham is 32 and has been a shoplifter for over a decade.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25He had a steady job, but gradually, crack cocaine took over.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I feel kind of guilty in the way that I've turned out.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31But crack's quite a powerful drug,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33and it drains your soul, kind of thing.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37I was working for a commercial artists company at the time, Korean.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41I lost my job there. I became unreliable.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44I stopped eating.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46So then I started going out shoplifting every day
0:23:46 > 0:23:49like it was a job, kind of thing, getting up...
0:23:52 > 0:23:54..go and hit a couple of shops, go and sell that,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57put that money in my pocket...
0:23:57 > 0:23:58go and smoke crack.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Graham's just one of those people who I've probably seen him
0:24:02 > 0:24:05coming into prison probably six, seven times
0:24:05 > 0:24:07in the space of 18 months.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11We always have a bit of a conversation
0:24:11 > 0:24:14about what had gone wrong for him this time.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16How many times have you been in jail, Graham?
0:24:18 > 0:24:20About 42 times.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24Since '98, I started coming to jail,
0:24:24 > 0:24:26so it's quite a few times.
0:24:26 > 0:24:2842 times?
0:24:28 > 0:24:29Yeah, including this time.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31I know.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Graham will be out of prison again in three weeks.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41This time, the authorities have him in their sights -
0:24:41 > 0:24:43because he's a prolific offender,
0:24:43 > 0:24:47it's a top priority to stop him committing crime.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00Senol Bicer completes his prison sentence today.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03He leaves Pentonville sober and focused.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Going home this morning.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait to get out of that door.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11Can't wait.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12Did you sleep last night?
0:25:12 > 0:25:16No, not really. Not really. It's hard.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Yeah, I feel positive.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20I don't want to do what I used to do,
0:25:20 > 0:25:23come out and smoke drugs and drink and this, that and the other.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25I want to come out straight-headed
0:25:25 > 0:25:29and, know what I mean, want to change my way now.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Put your index finger on that red light...
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Unlike many who walk out of these gates,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Senol will at least have somewhere to stay -
0:25:43 > 0:25:45with his fiancee Nina.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46You all right, babs?
0:25:51 > 0:25:53I missed you so much.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58I missed you.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Oh, baby.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05In recent years, Senol has failed to stay out of jail for long.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Now he will try again.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18Mick Norman lasted just two weeks outside jail.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Homeless, he shoplifted to get himself put back inside.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24But this time, he was sent to a prison
0:26:24 > 0:26:28where he didn't feel at home, and now he's out again.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- How are you?- Hello, Michael. I'm very well. How are you?
0:26:30 > 0:26:33All the better for getting out of there.
0:26:33 > 0:26:34I've been all around the country,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37- and I think it's the worst one I've been to.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Was it different from Pentonville?
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Different, I mean you get fed Sunday lunchtime,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44you don't get another hot meal tillMonday night.
0:26:44 > 0:26:4629 hours between meals.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Take me back to Pentonvlle. That's put me off jail.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Put me off from coming back.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Send everyone to Norwich!
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Send everyone to Norwich, innit.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57I've spent 14 and a half years, near enough, in prisons,
0:26:57 > 0:26:59most of it on remand.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00It's a fucking long time.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I'm getting nowhere fast. I'm getting older, slower,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06chances of getting caught are a lot greater.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08There's cameras everywhere. I'm known.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10I'm sick of it.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15Hopefully, it's my last look at a jail. Hopefully.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21I can't remember what fucking normal was.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23We're all mugs in prison.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25I'm a mug for being in prison.
0:27:25 > 0:27:26That's all I fucking know.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28We all get on, we all know each other.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33I've never gone to prison... 30 odd prisons I've been to,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36I've never walked into prison and not known someone.
0:27:36 > 0:27:37Always know someone.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40"Hello, Mickey, how's it going, son?"
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Same shit, different fucking day.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57I live that side of the stadium.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59They never show this side of the stadium.
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Come here and have a look.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03£10 billion. What, and they can't find me a fucking bed?
0:28:03 > 0:28:05This is the proper Stratford.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07That's the new stuff. Built for the image.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09This is the old stuff. Stratford centre.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Come. Take you into my world.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18I get my breakfast over there every morning, cos it's free.
0:28:18 > 0:28:19If there's a big queue,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22you can easily nick sandwiches and a bottle of Coca-Cola.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Life of a shoplifter, that's what it is.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Hey, look. I could sneak in here, walk there, I'm out of there.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Look, look, look.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31Look.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34Know what I'm saying?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37There you go, there's 40 quid. I could go and get 15 quid on that.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40No-one would notice, do you know what I mean?
0:28:40 > 0:28:41So it all depends how it works.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48I could say today,
0:28:48 > 0:28:52"Fuck it, I'll be all right till after Christmas."
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Go back to Pentonville, go to Belmarsh, I'll be all right.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Know the officers. Get on all right.
0:28:57 > 0:28:58I don't want to.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01I've done my last day in prison, as far as I'm concerned.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02I've made me mind up.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Mick is homeless and has only his prison discharge grant to live on.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13But, for once, he'll now seek money and shelter the legal way.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20INAUDIBLE
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Graham will shortly be released from prison,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26and will complete the last eight months of this sentence
0:29:26 > 0:29:28outside in the community.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31At the local probation office,
0:29:31 > 0:29:34plans are being made to handle his release.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Yep, Graham's coming out and we're going to take him
0:29:38 > 0:29:41straight to Norman House.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Kevin's coming as well, the police officer,
0:29:43 > 0:29:45so he's going to come with us in the car.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51'He has a really poor record of compliance with probation,'
0:29:51 > 0:29:55and he is literally a revolving door,
0:29:55 > 0:29:57where it really is catch and convict,
0:29:57 > 0:29:58catch and convict.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Cos he doesn't engage and he's never complied with any type of orders.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Graham has been put on a new scheme
0:30:05 > 0:30:08called integrated offender management
0:30:08 > 0:30:13which targets the most prolific criminals to stop them reoffending.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17'This is the biggest stick and the biggest carrot that he's had.'
0:30:19 > 0:30:23Inside jail, Graham gets work experience.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26Outside, he'll have a job placement and a hostel place.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28But if he doesn't play ball,
0:30:28 > 0:30:31probation will send him straight back to jail.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39If you reoffend, you'll be recalled till the end of your sentence.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- I feel different this time, I do. - Yeah.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45I don't know what it is, to say what I've done different
0:30:45 > 0:30:49or anything like that, inside. I don't know whether it's to do with
0:30:49 > 0:30:52maybe having been away a bit longer,
0:30:52 > 0:30:54because in the past, prison hasn't worked for me.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59If Graham can leave them prison gates
0:30:59 > 0:31:02and stay clean for the first night,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05then I'll be really, really happy with that
0:31:05 > 0:31:07and really, also pleasantly surprised.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Senol has been out for 11 days.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22He has got a place to stay with his fiancee, Nina,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26but he's started drinking, and today he's been involved
0:31:26 > 0:31:30in a serious car accident, which he can't remember.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32HE GROANS
0:31:32 > 0:31:35I just see you bounce off the fucking bonnet,
0:31:35 > 0:31:37roll onto the top and roll off the back.
0:31:37 > 0:31:43- Mm.- All right? And I mean this kid's come quite fast,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46I don't know what speed, but it was fast.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49People weren't...just stopping in the street, everyone's like that,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52women are crying, holding their mouths.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I'm screaming with blood all over my hands.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00It just seems like nothing ever fucking happens right for him,
0:32:00 > 0:32:01do you know what I mean?
0:32:05 > 0:32:08Like many newly-released offenders,
0:32:08 > 0:32:13Senol is also struggling to get his first regular benefits payments.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- I come out of prison about 14 days ago, yeah?- Yeah.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19It was, like, I'm due my money
0:32:19 > 0:32:22and cos my claim ain't been sorted out, Miss,
0:32:22 > 0:32:28basically, I've had to ask people on the streets for money and that,
0:32:28 > 0:32:31which I have been doing. They're telling me
0:32:31 > 0:32:36I've got to go back to the Job Centre, they've paid me incorrectly.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40They give me £36 and I've got to go back
0:32:40 > 0:32:46to put it in writing so they can fax it over, and then...
0:32:46 > 0:32:48That's why I'm going to fucking commit crime.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Senol, you're too old for this shit now, man. Come on.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Just...it's not worth it.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Right, I'm not fucking having it, I'm not happy,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58I'm not fucking happy at all.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00I'm not fucking happy.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06Fucking hell. So I've got to phone these people up
0:33:06 > 0:33:08and try and get a crisis loan.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11But you can't give me no money...?
0:33:13 > 0:33:19Right, so how do I get my-my-my...my crisis loan done, then?
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Fuck. That's a joke, man.
0:33:24 > 0:33:29That's where I got knocked over. This is where I was, here.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33That's where I was, here.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35I was dead. I was dead.
0:33:38 > 0:33:39I was dead, man.
0:33:41 > 0:33:42I was dead.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48I was dead, but...I'm still living.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53How much is your Super Skol?
0:33:55 > 0:33:57Senol has stayed drug-free,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00but alcohol has him in its grip once again,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03and he soon finds all his plans falling away.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07If my dad was here, he would have helped me.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10Yeah, but he's not, honey, so we've got each other, haven't we?
0:34:10 > 0:34:13I just wish my Dad was here, man.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18She's trying to say, "Are you all right?"
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- No, I'm not.- She knows that.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31She can see Daddy's hurting. She can see Daddy's hurting.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34I told you I'll come to bereavement counselling with you,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37we'll deal with all that, we'll go anger management,
0:34:37 > 0:34:42keep you occupied, and myself, you know?
0:34:42 > 0:34:46We can get through this, hon, we can. HE SNIFFS
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Do you know what I mean? We can, Bubba, we can.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58(Baby.)
0:34:58 > 0:35:03HE SIGHS Yeah? We're going to do this, yeah?
0:35:03 > 0:35:04Try, yeah.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10All right. Well, trying's better than nothing.
0:35:15 > 0:35:20Three months after his release, Sean Kieran hasn't gone back to drink.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24- How's it going?- Good.- Yeah?- Good.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26With help from a local charity,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29he's taking the first steps to free himself from addiction.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31At the moment, you're in a good place
0:35:31 > 0:35:35and I haven't seen you in this place since I've known you.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38'Bottom line, I'm turning my back on the booze.'
0:35:38 > 0:35:42It sounds a bit vague but, you know...
0:35:45 > 0:35:49..I've had sort of glimpses of happiness, you know?
0:35:49 > 0:35:53Whereas before, I was just sort of like muddling through
0:35:53 > 0:35:57and just coping and just...going through the motions,
0:35:57 > 0:35:58if you like, of life.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Every time I see a bottle anywhere, every time I see a pub
0:36:01 > 0:36:06or an off-licence, I mentally say "expeliamus" to it.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11- Where's that from?- From Harry Potter. - From Harry Potter?- Yeah.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14That's a defensive spell. Yeah.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Graham will leave prison tomorrow.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Once he's out, he wants to stay clean
0:36:34 > 0:36:37and rebuild bridges with his family.
0:36:37 > 0:36:44See, my relationship with my dad's not...not a good one, kind of thing.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48He's kind of old school, my old man is.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51"What's drugs?" kind of thing, like.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54"If you want to stop taking them, just stop taking them," kind of thing.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59"It's easy. Just get a job." And I think that's what he thinks.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03I don't know what he thinks cos I've never actually asked, kind of thing.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05But he's not well.
0:37:05 > 0:37:10And...I don't want to just go and fix up relationship
0:37:10 > 0:37:13because he's not well, but I want to fix up relationship
0:37:13 > 0:37:16so we can have a relationship, kind of thing.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20Whether that means just coming round every couple of days to see
0:37:20 > 0:37:23that they're all right, maybe take him to church or something.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27I think he would like to do that if I could somehow do that.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32What I need you to do is sign and date the copy of your licence.
0:37:32 > 0:37:3316/3/12.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39'My stomach starts churning butterflies, kind of thing.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43'I'm excited, is what I am. I'm really excited about getting out.'
0:37:43 > 0:37:45But that still doesn't take away the fact that...
0:37:48 > 0:37:51..it's a bit of a frightening experience.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58Most repeat offenders walk alone from the prison gate.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- HE LAUGHS - The road.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06You all right, Rachel?
0:38:06 > 0:38:10Because Graham is on the IOM scheme, he is met by probation
0:38:10 > 0:38:13and a plain clothes police officer.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23The first hours and days outside are a critical period.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31# So how can you tell me you're lonely? #
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Mick Norman has been out two days.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37He's still homeless and his prison cash is running out.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41# I'll show you something that'll make you change your mind. #
0:38:41 > 0:38:45This is where we live, at least we're under the shelter there.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Through that hole then through there's a big room,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49but we ain't sure what's in there.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Get some candles in there, might be able to brighten it up. Bit of paper.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55- Can you show me that? - Yeah, of course.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00In here, we've got a big lump of carpet, we haven't put it down yet,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02We ain't sorted the floor out yet,
0:39:02 > 0:39:04but we might put a bit of white emulsion on it,
0:39:04 > 0:39:06get a few candles in there.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Brighten it up, that'll do for the winter if we've got nowhere.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- This is where we'll all be living. - So you slept here the other night?
0:39:12 > 0:39:14I've slept here since I come out, yeah.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19- David's a ham-and-egger.- Yeah, I beg, believe it or not. - That's what he does.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21But before that, I was in and out of jail all me life.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23- How long have you been here, David? - Six months?
0:39:23 > 0:39:26- Six months.- Yeah, this time. Six months on the road.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28What's it like sleeping here every night?
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Bad! Very, very bad.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34It ain't nice cos you get people coming into the car park
0:39:34 > 0:39:37and they look at you like you're a bit of shit.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40But anyone could... They could all be homeless tomorrow.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Yeah. So that's life in Stratford.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47DOGS BARK
0:39:48 > 0:39:49Over the next days,
0:39:49 > 0:39:53Mick persists with his attempts to get housing and benefits.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59There's no possibility of housing anywhere coming out of that, is there?
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Yeah. Don't laugh!
0:40:02 > 0:40:05So are you ringing up about the Job Centre appointment
0:40:05 > 0:40:07or about the community care grant?
0:40:07 > 0:40:11I'm looking to see if there's accommodation available with you, still.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16Then, Mick gets some welcome news.
0:40:16 > 0:40:21His son, whom he hasn't seen for nearly two years, wants to meet him.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24He's made contact with me, and since then we've been texting.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28Hopefully, over the next day or two, I'll go and meet him when he's not busy and I'm not busy.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33He said, "Dad, don't do it for Nan, for the family, for me.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36"Dad, just keep with it." And that's really given me a boost today
0:40:36 > 0:40:38and I've got to cos I was...
0:40:38 > 0:40:40You need that support, you need a cuddle now and again,
0:40:40 > 0:40:42you know what I mean? Yeah.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47SIRENS BLARE
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Today, Senol is at court.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01He's due for sentencing on an old public order offence.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04There's a risk he'll be sent back behind bars.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07The outcome is crucial for his and Nina's future,
0:41:07 > 0:41:09but he's drinking again.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16In the middle of the hearing, Senol storms out of court.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18What's going on, Senol?
0:41:18 > 0:41:20My solicitor's saying now that cos they're saying
0:41:20 > 0:41:24I ain't been cooperative with these lot, I could be going to prison.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30The details of the court case become a flashpoint.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34- You know, Senol, you don't listen to shit, mate.- Babe, if you go in...
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- How bout you do it, Nin?- It's about the one down the St John's Way.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- Go over there...- That's not the one. It's the St John's one they're on about.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Yeah, but they've got access to the computer.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45You're taking that fuck over mine as well.
0:41:45 > 0:41:46HE SHOUTS Yes, you are.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49You're letting him talk to me like a piece of shit.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- She didn't take nothing out of his bank...- Nah, fuck her.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55Shut up, Senol, cos it's no-one else's business, yeah?
0:42:02 > 0:42:06In the end, Senol wasn't given another prison sentence.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Instead, the court gave him a strict community order.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17He must get treatment for his alcohol problem
0:42:17 > 0:42:20under weekly supervision from probation.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Nina is now desperate for Senol to change.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It's fucking affecting me. I'm so upset.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Today even, again he was going to cause more trouble,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35and we were waiting for a verdict sitting outside a fucking court.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40I've made my fucking mistakes, I have, please believe me,
0:42:40 > 0:42:43I have fucked up in my life, big time.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47I have fucked up. Do you know what? I just want my life back
0:42:47 > 0:42:50and it don't seem to be happening with this man.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Don't seem to be happening.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55If you want to make a change, make a fucking change, man, do it.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Don't blame it on everyone else.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59It's everyone else's fucking fault, innit?
0:42:59 > 0:43:01"It's the system, it's this, it's that."
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Fucking deal with it yourself. Sorry, that's nothing...
0:43:15 > 0:43:16SIREN BLARES
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Graham has been out three days.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29Today, he is booked for a work placement as a trainee gardener.
0:43:29 > 0:43:30MAGPIE CHIRPS
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Every time he's left jail before,
0:43:33 > 0:43:38he's gone straight back to crack cocaine, heroin and shoplifting.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42But this morning, he's at work on time.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46This is a Norway maple, yeah?
0:43:46 > 0:43:50That's chickweed and I don't know what this one is.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- That's a leaf. - BOTH CHUCKLE
0:43:56 > 0:43:59This is positive, this is change, what I'm doing, I don't do this.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02I don't... In the past, I haven't come out of prison
0:44:02 > 0:44:09and gone into work or...anything like that.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12I'm keeping myself busy and out of trouble by doing this, ain't I?
0:44:12 > 0:44:17That's not to say I'm saying I've cracked it or anything.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19It's the first day, but I hope it's the first of many.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25In three days' time, Graham is due at probation.
0:44:26 > 0:44:30In the past, he's never managed to attend.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34- Half an hour late now. - How long you going to be?
0:44:36 > 0:44:37Hello?
0:44:37 > 0:44:41Oh, brilliant, OK, thank you, bye.
0:44:41 > 0:44:45- Graham Shiels is here. - He's quick, he was quick.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48I couldn't sleep last night.
0:44:48 > 0:44:53Graham has got through his first five days out of prison.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55How do you feel about how far you've come already?
0:44:55 > 0:44:57I feel, I feel good about it.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00You're going to your meetings, you're doing everything
0:45:00 > 0:45:02that's required of you as well on your licence.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05Just keep taking it one day at a time, but so far,
0:45:05 > 0:45:10- I'm feeling really positive. Do you know what I mean?- All right, Graham.
0:45:10 > 0:45:13But Graham was about to get some tragic news.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24One week after release and Mick is still on the streets.
0:45:24 > 0:45:28But he's about to see his son for the first time in two years
0:45:28 > 0:45:30and he wants to look his best.
0:45:30 > 0:45:35- Look, this is a nice American pair of shoes.- Reminds me of Steptoe and Son. Any old rags?
0:45:35 > 0:45:37- Have a look. I don't know what size. - They're nice shoes.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40They're a bit worn off but... That doesn't matter.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45Yeah, they fit as well, that'll do for me. Thank you.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48- Yves Saint Laurent, look at that. - Thank you.
0:45:53 > 0:45:58- How are you feeling about it? - Excited, nervous.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00Um...he's a young man now, ain't he?
0:46:04 > 0:46:08- There he is... Fucking hell! - HE LAUGHS
0:46:08 > 0:46:11- Hello, boy.- You all right? - You all right, yeah?- Yeah.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14- How've you been?- I've been... - The size of you!- Huh?
0:46:14 > 0:46:16- You look like your uncle, you do. - SON CHUCKLES
0:46:16 > 0:46:21- You do.- All right. You all right?- Good, yeah.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23- All good, then?- Come on, let's walk up here.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27- Look at the size of you! Wow. - Six foot two.
0:46:27 > 0:46:29Fucking...
0:46:29 > 0:46:31All Nana's done is praising you
0:46:31 > 0:46:32and saying about how well you're doing,
0:46:32 > 0:46:34and that you're actually trying.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38Yeah, but college ain't going too bad, either.
0:46:38 > 0:46:40- What are you studying? - Performing arts.
0:46:40 > 0:46:41Just performing arts?
0:46:41 > 0:46:44- Yeah, it's a performing arts college. - Oh.- That's why I love it.
0:46:44 > 0:46:45It's full of dancers.
0:46:45 > 0:46:50There's, like, 40 or 50 girls going round the college in tutus all day.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52I don't care what happens to me. If you never spoke to me again,
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Nan didn't, Jackie didn't, everybody didn't,
0:46:54 > 0:46:57I'd get on with it, I still wouldn't go back to prison.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59I can't make fuck all up for you,
0:46:59 > 0:47:01all I can do is tell you, I'll be there in the future.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05- You will do. Don't get upset.- I can't help myself, do know what I mean?
0:47:05 > 0:47:07I fucking love you to bits, you know what I mean?
0:47:07 > 0:47:11- You're me boy.- You all right? - Yeah, it's...just emotions, innit?
0:47:11 > 0:47:14Oh, by the way, you're Little Michael, now!
0:47:14 > 0:47:18I know, Little Michael now. I know! Yeah.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21Whatever happens, I'm not going back to prison.
0:47:21 > 0:47:23The drink and drugs is out the window.
0:47:23 > 0:47:26If I have to sleep up a tree for the next three weeks, I will.
0:47:26 > 0:47:27- I'm off, son.- All right.- I love you.
0:47:27 > 0:47:30- OK.- Listen, I'll give you a ring tomorrow, I'll give you a text. - All right.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36It's only when you get a bit older and you look at what you lost,
0:47:36 > 0:47:38and the time you missed out on things,
0:47:38 > 0:47:41that you realise what really matters.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43At 43 now, I realise that what matters
0:47:43 > 0:47:46is your mum and your dad and your family and your kids
0:47:46 > 0:47:49cos without them, you've got fuck all.
0:47:49 > 0:47:50Blinding, seeing him.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53That's just given me the boost for the next few weeks, whatever I face.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56I could not let that boy down again.
0:48:05 > 0:48:10When we met Senol again, he'd spent the previous night sleeping rough,
0:48:10 > 0:48:12believing his relationship was over.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16- You're not in the flat any more?- No.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20So you've been sleeping on benches?
0:48:20 > 0:48:24In the park, yeah, around Highbury.
0:48:24 > 0:48:28I'm that close from committing a crime.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31I haven't done it for five months, but I will.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34I'm telling you, I will.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37I just want my life on track.
0:48:37 > 0:48:43That's all I'm crying for, man. My life on track.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45It just seems I'm not getting it.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51As part of his sentence, Senol's progress must now be
0:48:51 > 0:48:54monitored every week by a probation officer.
0:48:56 > 0:49:02Senol's - particularly his most recent offending issues -
0:49:02 > 0:49:04are all linked to his alcohol very much.
0:49:04 > 0:49:08Getting into altercations with people, becoming violent,
0:49:08 > 0:49:13being threatening and abusive in his language and his behaviour
0:49:13 > 0:49:18so that, I guess, is why the court was so keen to throw this opportunity
0:49:18 > 0:49:22for the alcohol treatment because if Senol can look at that
0:49:22 > 0:49:28and address that, a lot of the risk, you know, may dissipate.
0:49:28 > 0:49:32Detox IS available for Senol,
0:49:32 > 0:49:34but first he must attend group assessment
0:49:34 > 0:49:40and so far, he's told probation that although he desperately wants detox,
0:49:40 > 0:49:42he won't go to the group.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45- SHOUTING:- You're meant to be putting me in a fucking detox!
0:49:45 > 0:49:49- What's going on, mate?- OK...- You're doing nothing.
0:49:49 > 0:49:53Where's my detox? I want a detox!
0:49:53 > 0:49:56- I know, we've talked about...- No, no. You know what, Dan?
0:49:56 > 0:49:58Let me tell you something.
0:49:58 > 0:50:03Breach me, mate, breach me. Cos I'd rather do my detox in jail, innit.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06- I want to do my detox in jail.- OK.
0:50:06 > 0:50:12Right, I'm getting pissed off waking up like this every fucking morning.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Dan, you know what, mate? Do what you've got to do,
0:50:14 > 0:50:17I've come here, I've seen you, you're talking shit to me.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20You haven't, you haven't let me talk at all.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22All right, all right. Talk.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26OK, look. So my understanding of the situation is there's also this thing
0:50:26 > 0:50:29called the Options Group, which is down at the Margaret Centre,
0:50:29 > 0:50:31which I think you would have to go to that as part of the...
0:50:31 > 0:50:35What am I going to go and sit in a group for? For what?
0:50:35 > 0:50:39- Because that's part of the process of being referred to a detox. - No, no, no-no-no, no!
0:50:39 > 0:50:43I'm not going, and I'm telling you that now.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47Right, I've got a drink problem and I want help with it.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51I'm not going to sit in a fucking group and talking shit.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Sorry, Dan, I'm not doing it.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57It's really hard for me to help you when you come in like this,
0:50:57 > 0:51:00- when you come - because...no...- Hold on, are you blaming?- I'm not, no.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03- I'm sleeping in the park.- OK. There's a lot of stuff...
0:51:03 > 0:51:07Where are you sleeping? Where were you sleeping?
0:51:07 > 0:51:11- That's not really relevant.- No, it is irrelevant.- Why is that relevant?
0:51:11 > 0:51:14- Where are you sleeping? In a house or a flat?- Yeah.
0:51:14 > 0:51:18- Right, and I'm sleeping in the park. - OK...- Ha ha!
0:51:18 > 0:51:20- What, that's not irrelevant?- OK...
0:51:20 > 0:51:22- Thank you.- OK.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33Graham was working at the garden centre
0:51:33 > 0:51:36when his boss received a call.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39'I had a phone call from this woman who introduced herself
0:51:39 > 0:51:41'as Graham's mother.'
0:51:41 > 0:51:45She said, "I've got some awful news, Graham's father's died."
0:51:45 > 0:51:49I just said, "Graham, would you come back with me to the office?"
0:51:49 > 0:51:52And he looked at me not knowing what's going on and I just said
0:51:52 > 0:51:54"Sit down, I've got something to tell you."
0:51:54 > 0:51:58'And I just did think, "Mmm, this is a likely trigger for him
0:51:58 > 0:52:01'"to go back on the drugs again."'
0:52:02 > 0:52:07Graham's not doing so well at the moment,
0:52:07 > 0:52:10so he's been recalled on his licence.
0:52:10 > 0:52:17Um... He provided three positive drug tests in a row.
0:52:17 > 0:52:21You know, it's tragic. You see, you work with these offenders
0:52:21 > 0:52:24and just as they're getting their foot on the ladder,
0:52:24 > 0:52:26something else tragic happens.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33Once probation have recalled Graham to prison,
0:52:33 > 0:52:35it's the police's job to arrest him.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39But Graham cannot be found at any known address.
0:52:39 > 0:52:40He's on the run.
0:52:40 > 0:52:41SIREN BLARES
0:52:52 > 0:52:57For Senol, things are starting to go right, despite all his problems.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00Seven months after leaving prison,
0:53:00 > 0:53:05he is co-operating with probation and has got assessment for detox.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09He has stayed off drugs, out of trouble,
0:53:09 > 0:53:12and his bond with Nina survives.
0:53:12 > 0:53:16He's my baby, I love him, I love him to bits.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19'We want what I suppose everyone wants,
0:53:19 > 0:53:21'we just want a normal life.'
0:53:21 > 0:53:25I don't want to be meeting any other people, anyone else.
0:53:25 > 0:53:26Do you know what I mean?
0:53:29 > 0:53:31Can I talk to someone about getting married?
0:53:31 > 0:53:35- Yep, just go to the registry office. - Right.- If you go straight down, first door.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37These are the documents you need to bring,
0:53:37 > 0:53:39you need to make an appointment for it,
0:53:39 > 0:53:42you need to come in together for the appointment.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45- We're getting married! - HE LAUGHS
0:53:45 > 0:53:47I can't wait, I can't wait, man.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50It's the longest I've ever been out of prison.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54Thanks to Nina, you know. If it weren't for Nina,
0:53:54 > 0:53:56I don't know what I'd be doing now.
0:54:02 > 0:54:08After four weeks of trying, Mick Norman finally got a place to stay.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11Then, things moved on quicker than he could ever have imagined.
0:54:11 > 0:54:15The place I've got, which is a studio flat,
0:54:15 > 0:54:17it ain't Buckingham Palace but I'm grateful, you know?
0:54:17 > 0:54:19It's big enough for me.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21In that time, I've moved in there.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24Within two weeks me boy's landed on me, my mum's rang,
0:54:24 > 0:54:26"Can I take my son back?" Over the moon.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29Who would've said that three months ago, or two months ago,
0:54:29 > 0:54:31that you'll have your son live with you?
0:54:33 > 0:54:38Mick's new role is to get a teenager out of bed in time for college.
0:54:38 > 0:54:39I bet he's still asleep.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48- DOLLAN:- Morning. - MICK LAUGHS
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Things in the fridge, Dollan.
0:54:57 > 0:54:58This is my place, anyway.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01Yep. Nice, big room.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05Yeah, got my kitchen there, got a decent bathroom there.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11Decent shower, got plenty of toiletries up there and there,
0:55:11 > 0:55:14plenty of towels, what else do you need?
0:55:14 > 0:55:18When you're used to living in an eight-by-twelve cell for years,
0:55:18 > 0:55:20I mean, this is like luxury, innit?
0:55:20 > 0:55:21I spawned that.
0:55:21 > 0:55:22DOLLAN AND MICK CHUCKLE
0:55:22 > 0:55:26No, he's all right, he's good stuff. He's on his own journey, you know.
0:55:26 > 0:55:30- What have you lost?- Nothing. - The blue ones are there.
0:55:30 > 0:55:36I'm not looking for the blue ones. I've got them, got them.
0:55:36 > 0:55:37- I've got to sort out the laces on them.- Right.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40Cos they got that tight the other day, yeah,
0:55:40 > 0:55:44I literally had to cut the laces in order for me to get it off.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47When we grew up, we used to have to undo our laces
0:55:47 > 0:55:51- and then do them up when we put them on.- No...- Not just tie them up once, then slip them on.
0:55:51 > 0:55:55First of all, my dad's been walking around in these, yeah?
0:55:55 > 0:55:59Yeah, a £70 pair of exclusive Adidas trainers. Whose are they(?)
0:55:59 > 0:56:01- Yours.- Mine.
0:56:01 > 0:56:06- Who cooks?- Huh?- Who cooks? Who does the shopping, who does the washing?
0:56:06 > 0:56:12- Eh?- No comment.- "No comment"! Go have a shower!
0:56:12 > 0:56:17My life revolved around crime, around addiction, around alcoholism.
0:56:17 > 0:56:21Everything in my life that I thought was gone, lost,
0:56:21 > 0:56:22never coming back,
0:56:22 > 0:56:25for the last couple of years when I've been going back to prison
0:56:25 > 0:56:26cos I've been homeless,
0:56:26 > 0:56:28everything I've lost, I've suddenly got back.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31I'm not allowed to fail. I don't want to fail.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43Graham Shiels had been recalled to prison
0:56:43 > 0:56:45after the death of his father
0:56:45 > 0:56:49but he evaded arrest by the police for a month.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Now, he's back at Pentonville.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54I was engaging this time, I know I mucked up.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56- But I was trying... - You were engaging brilliantly.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59It was just a shame that you couldn't maintain that.
0:56:59 > 0:57:04As mad as it sounds, I felt happy when I come back to jail
0:57:04 > 0:57:06- cos I knew that was it. - Yeah, it was over.
0:57:06 > 0:57:07That was it. I thought,
0:57:07 > 0:57:10I knew I didn't have to look over my back no more
0:57:10 > 0:57:14- cos I'm walking down Holloway Road thinking, "Is this the time?"- Yeah.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17- When I did use, I weren't enjoying it, kind of thing.- Yeah, yeah.
0:57:17 > 0:57:21It's different if I was going out and enjoying the smoking
0:57:21 > 0:57:25- or having a good time on it... I weren't.- Yeah.
0:57:25 > 0:57:29- We live and learn, don't we, Graham? - Yeah, of course.
0:57:29 > 0:57:33Graham's brief period of success on the outside
0:57:33 > 0:57:36has given him some consolation.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40He died five days after I got out, so...
0:57:40 > 0:57:41I didn't get a lot of time with him
0:57:41 > 0:57:46but...I'm just glad that he's seen me going to work
0:57:46 > 0:57:50and doing positive things rather than...
0:57:50 > 0:57:57I come out, spend my money on crack and heroin
0:57:57 > 0:58:00and then I'm only coming round to borrow money, for instance.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02The good news is, in my experience of probation,
0:58:02 > 0:58:07the fact he went that far means that next time, he'll go that far
0:58:07 > 0:58:10and hopefully we'll just keep getting a bit further each time.
0:58:12 > 0:58:16Coming in and out of prison, things like that...
0:58:16 > 0:58:21I know if I don't change, I'll be doing it again and again and again and again.
0:58:21 > 0:58:22So, that's it.
0:58:23 > 0:58:26GUARD SHOUTS ORDERS
0:58:39 > 0:58:44INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:58:53 > 0:58:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd