Within These Walls

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	English
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	72
Production
Executive producer	Rex Firkin
Producer	Jack Williams,
Production locations	London, England
Running time	52 mins (excluding commercials)
Original release
Network	London Weekend
Release	January 4, 1974 – April 15, 1978

Within These Walls is a British television drama series made by London Weekend Television for ITV and shown between 1974 and 1978. One episode from Series 2 is missing from the archives.

The series can be considered something of a precursor to the Australian drama Prisoner and the British series Bad Girls given its focus on a fictional women's prison, HMP Stonepark. The difference is that Within These Walls tended to centre its storylines around the prison staff rather than the inmates.

The lead character of the series was the well-groomed, genteel governor Faye Boswell (Googie Withers) and episodes revolved around her attempts to liberalise the prison regime as well as her personal life at home. Another prominent character was her deputy, Mrs. Armitage (Mona Bruce). When Googie Withers left after three series, her character was replaced as governor by Helen Forrester (Katharine Blake) and then by Susan Marshall (Sarah Lawson).

The creator and writer of the program, David Butler, played the prison chaplain, the Rev Henry Prentice, in some episodes.

In 2009, in the UK, Network DVD re-issued the complete series 1 and has issued series 2 (excluding episode three - 'Nowhere for the kids') believed to have been wiped.

Ironically, the only audience unable to watch the series were real-life prison inmates: the programme aired at 9pm but the prisoners were locked in their cells half-an-hour earlier.

Cast

• Googie Withers as Prison Governess - Faye Boswell
• Katharine Blake as Prison Governess - Helen Forrester
• Sarah Lawson as Prison Governess - 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 Helen Worth, now widely known for her role of Gail Platt on Coronation Street.

Series overview

Season		Episodes	Originally aired	DVD release dates			Discs
				Region 2	Region 1	Region 4
	Season 1	13	Jan 1974 - March 1974	17 Jul 2006	—	—	4
	Season 2	13	Jan 1975 - April 1975	6 April 2009	—	—	4
	Season 3	16	Sep 1975 - Dec 1975	—	—	—	—
	Season 4	17	Sep 1976 - Dec 1976	—	—	—	—
	Season 5	13	Jan 1978 - Apr 1978	—	—	—	—

Episodes

Season 1

#	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original airdate
1	"Cause for Concern"	John Reardon	David Butler	1974-01-04
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…
2	"Lesson Number One"	Peter Moffatt	David Butler	1974-01-11
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...
3	"The Walls Came Tumbling Down"	Paul Annett	David Butler	1974-01-18
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...
4	"In Her Own Right"	TBD	Adele Rose	1974-01-25
Stone Park's Deputy Governor, Charles Radley, is threatened by a prisoner.
5	"Prisoner by Marriage"	Paul Annett	Tony Hoare	1974-02-01
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...
6	"The Group"	Jim Goddard	Terence Feely	1974-02-08
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...
7	"One Step Forward, Two Steps Back"	Tony Wharmby	Tony Parker	1974-02-15
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...
8	"Failing to Report"	Christopher Hodson	Rosemary Anne Sisson	1974-02-22
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.
9	"Tea on St. Pancras Station"	Paul Annett	Susan Pleat	3/1/1974
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 there 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.
10	"Guessing Game"	Bill Bain	P.J. Hammond	3/8/1974
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.
11	"When the Bough Breaks"	Christopher Hodson	Felicity Douglas	3/15/1974
The sentencing of a baby-snatcher creates tension between the prison inmates and the staff.
12	"Labour of Love"	Bill Bain	David Butler	3/22/1974
A problem arises for Governor Boswell when a prisoner begins making paperweights.
13	"A Sense of Duty"	Bill Bain	David Butler	3/29/1974
The staff of Stone Park Prison disapprove of the sentencing of a prisoner who poisoned her dying father.

Season 2

#	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original airdate
1	"When the Door Opens"	Philip Casson	David Butler	1/10/1975
An old enemy awaits a prisoner who leaves solitary confinement.
2	"Remand Wing"	Paul Annett	Susan Pleat	1/17/1975
An elderly prisoner causes problems in the remand wing.
3	"Nowhere for the Kids"	Malcolm Taylor	Kathleen J. Smith	1/24/1975
Missing Episode
4	"The Slap"	Malcolm Taylor	Kathleen J. Smith	1/31/1975
A child-murderer faces a very cold reception from both the inmates and the guards of Stone Park prison.
5	"Playground"	John Reardon	P.J. Hammond	2/7/1975
A woman sentenced for child neglect perplexes all when she continues to disown the child.
6	"The Truth Game"	Jim Goddard	Rosemary Anne Sisson	2/14/1975
The two new prison officers who join the staff seem to display very different attitudes about their jobs.
7	"Debate"	Tony Wharmby	Tony Parker	2/21/1975
The Governor and her staff must find a way to deal with a constant troublemaker.
8	"Protest"	Brian Izzard	Tony Hoare	2/28/1975
The death of a prisoner leads inmate Kane to organize a protest about the COD verdict.
9	"Let the People See"	Philip Casson	Peter Wildeblood	3/7/1975
As bad publicity continues to rise, Governor Boswell invites a film crew to make a Stone Park documentary.
10	"Skivers"	Bryan Izzard	David Butler	3/14/1975
Dr. Mayes discovers that an inmate has a serious condition after investigating her acute indigestion.
11	"Coming Home"	Philip Casson	Terence Feely	3/21/1975
Boswell and Radley have a disagreement about her radical plan in confronting Stone Park's drug issues.
12	"The Good Life"	James Ormerod	Victor Pemberton	4/4/1975
An upper class woman on a murder charge arrives at Stone Park.
13	"For Life"	TBD	TBD	4/11/1975

Season 3

#	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original airdate
1	"To Reason Why"	Philip Casson	David Butler	9/6/1975
Governor Boswell's resolve is tested as more unrest plagues Stone Park.
2	"Prison Cat"	Paddy Russell	Kathleen J. Smith	9/13/1975
3	"Deception"	Philip Casson	Tony Hoare	9/20/1975
Officer White becomes involved with a young inmate.
4	"Babyface"	Malcolm Taylor	David Butler	9/27/1975
Governor Boswell searches for a way to stop the campaign of violence that is continuing at Stone Park.
5	"Long Shadows"	Derrick Goodwin	Staurt Douglass	10/4/1975
6	"The Keys"	John Reardon	Susan Pleat	10/11/1975
The inmates at Stone Park find themselves the target of Officer Pinner's personal misfortunes.
7	"A Lurking Doubt"	Mike Gibson	Felicity Douglas	10/18/1975
An inmate convinces Governor Boswell that she is innocent of her crime.
8	"Mother's Girl"	John Gorrie	Terence Feely	10/25/1975
Stone Park's latest problem is a prisoner guilty of fraud and smuggling.
9	"A Free Woman"	John Gorrie	Julia Jones	11/1/1975
Stone Park receives an inmate who was intentionally caught shoplifting as a way to escape her husband.
10	"Getting Out"	Bill Bain	David Butler	11/8/1975
Problems abound when an inmate arrives who can't speak english and the only option is to let another prisoner act as interpreter.
11	"Windows"	Christopher Hodson	P.J. Hammond	11/15/1975
12	"Get the Glory Down"	Bryan Izzard	Peter Wildeblood	11/22/1975
Prisoner Baines starts to believe she has special powers after her curse on a fellow inmate has surprising results.
13	"My Dad was Called Charlie"	Bryan Izzard	Adele Rose	11/29/1975
14	"Inside Out"	Mike Gibbon	Mona Bruce and Robert James	12/6/1975
A petty theft inmate asks for an abortion from Dr. Mayes.
15	"The Animals Went in Two By Two"	Tony Wharmby	Susan Pleat	12/13/1975
A nurse serving time for murder becomes emotionally attached to a pair of inmates.
16	"On the Second Day of Christmas"	Bill Bain	David Butler	12/20/1975

Season 4

#	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original airdate
1	"Catalyst"	Christopher Hodson	David Butler	9/4/1976
Helen Forrester is appointed as the new governor of Stone Park, and quickly finds herself tested with the discipline of the inmates.
2	"The Man With the Magic Touch"	Christopher Hodson	Terence Feely	9/11/1976
Governor Forrester is concerned with the privileges extended to inmates undergoing treatment for drug addiction.
3	"The Complaint"	Paul Annett	Tony Hoare	9/18/1976
Mavis Smith accuses Officer Spencer of theft after her cell is ransacked.
4	"The Line of Duty"	Paddy Russell	David Butler	9/25/1976
The prison officers take another look at the rules after being reprimanded by Governor Forrester.
5	"K Block"	Bryan Izzard	David Butler	10/2/1976
6	"A Way of Loving"	John Gorrie	John Gorrie	10/9/1976
7	"Love and the Chaplain"	Paddy Russell	Kathleen J. Smith	10/16/1976
8	"The Mystery"	Bryan Izzard	Tony Hoare	10/23/1976
A new prisoner refuses to speak about her family and takes a strange interest in a child-murderer.
9	"A Sentence of Death"	Bryan Izzard	Peter Wildeblood	10/30/1976
A gypsy, convicted of contempt of court, finds that being locked up is difficult after her lifetime in the open.
10	"Vacuum"	Paul Annett	P.J. Hammond	11/6/1976
Mr. Radley proposes special treatment for a new prisoner who refuses to speak.
11	"On Trial"	Marek Kanievska	Susan Pleat	11/13/1976
12	"Visitors"	Peter Moffatt	Terence Feely	11/20/1976
The Governor expresses concern about Radley's proposal to try a new visitation system.
13	"Transfer"	Christopher Hodson	Tony Parker	11/27/1976
A mystery appears when a transfer from Rugely Prison arrives with an incomplete file.
14	"Someone's Got to Do It"	Mike Gibbon	Mona Bruce and Robert James	12/4/1976
Mrs. Armitage confronts the Governor about the continual problem of violence among the prisoners.
15	"Islands in the Heartline"	Marek Kanievska	Susan Pleat	12/11/1976
Miss Clarke helps Sarah after she becomes obsessed with Dr. Mayes.
16	"Invasion of Privacy"	Bill Bain	David Butler	12/18/1976
Mrs. Weeks, an elderly alcoholic, is back at Stone Park; The Governor's sister pays a visit.
17	"Silent Night"	Phillip Casson	David Butler	12/24/1976
Stone Park does its best to celebrate Christmas.

Season 5

#	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original airdate
1	"Mixer"	TBD	TBD	1/21/1978
2	"Arrivals, Departures"	Paul Annett	David Butler	1/28/1978
3	""Raft""	Christphoer Hodson	P.J. Hammond	2/4/1978
4	"Public Opinion"	Marek Kanievska	Mona Bruce and Robert James	2/11/1978
5	"Sisters"	TBD	TBD	2/18/1978
6	"Love Me, Love My Bear"	Bryan Izzard	Terence Feely	2/25/1978
7	"The Inquest"	Bryan Izzard	Tony Hoare	3/4/1978
8	"The Governor"	Marek Kanievska	Susan Pleat	3/11/1978
The governor is accused of being too distant by a prison officer.
9	"Freedom"	Tony Wharmby	Tony Parker	3/18/1978
10	"New Girls"	TBD	TBD	3/25/1978
11	"One for the Road"	Peter Moffatt	Peter Wildeblood	4/1/1978
12	"Nemesis"	Christopher Hodson	Mona Bruce and Robert James	4/8/1978
Jennifer Rawlings begins serving her life sentence for killing her son's murderer.
13	"Is There Anyone There?"	John Gorrie	David Butler	4/15/1978
Tottie Dowd stirs up more trouble in Stone Park.

The Lost Episode

Unfortunately episode three from season 2, "Nowhere for the Kids" no longer exists in any format, but its script is included in PDF format on Season 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

• Within These Walls at IMDb